Sb3.8

[Bob Eustace]

Do you need a new card to access all the new yummy features? Buddy is 15 months old.

[garyc]

Bob...
In your case, no. Those with the older cards that connected with serial to USB converters, yes. If in doubt, look at the ShopBot controller card. It plugs into the mainboard in the control box. Those that will run the new software have a number printed on it. That number must be "V201" or higher (up to V209 at present)

[Bob Eustace]

Sorry for being a dork Gary! Looked at the pic on the website and it looks like you look at it front on as you open the box. Now know its hidden behind the main board.

Installed easily and loved the have to tick off check list - brilliant for those with short term memory! Cut files straight off BUT I'm darned if I can run speed test anymore. Done this dozens of times before but it cant find the tool. Looked in the USBVIEW and it says on 3 and 4 on enhanced USB2. Turning off SB3 by clicking the X on the top right before trying to locate. What are I doing wrong please. You guys are very brave doing an update on a friday as you could get lots of weekend requests!

Could I thank Shopbot for all the work done on the update - sincerely appreciated.

[Bob Eustace]

Gary

What are the advantages of upgrading to 2.09 and what is the cost please. Do you have to remove the main card to plug in a new controller? I take it that this extra buffer memory has been on the cards for a while but the software couldnt access it. When you say the speed has doubled does this refer to comms? Do you anticipate 3.8 will end most comms problems?

Thanks for all your help.

[bob_reda]

I have the RBK control box so I am assuming I can run this new software. My question is, I do not have partworks or any of the software that is listed. (I am running on preview mode on my computer in my office to learn it and to see if I like it) I cannot use the other options that I can tell because I cannot get to the cut mode. Will partworks and things always come up when I run it in cut mode? I have the vectric products directly from vectric not through shopbot.

Bob

[mark_stief]

will this new software work on xp? having the same problem also as bob not getting to the shopbot control console

[garyc]

Bob E....
The speed test does not work with the 3.8 versions due to a firmware change on the controller card. But, using the Utilities Diagnostics command [U][D] you can get similar information. There is a screen printout of many useful tidbits of information. Similar to the speed test is Packet ET. Anything under 20 milliseconds should result is good comm rate. One caveat... you must make a move command (mx, some distance over 4 inches or so) prior to opening [U][D] so that the software has something to develop a sampling speed from.

I do see on your posted pic that it appears that the SB spindle speed controller is plugged into the same hub as the SB controller. This has been problematic on some machines in the past. The SB controller cable should be plugged into a USB 2.0 hub, which in turn is plugged into one of the root ports on the rear of the PC. No other devices should be plugged into that hub. The speed controller should also be plugged into one of the root hubs at the rear of the machine.

I am attaching a doc for clarification.

[Bob Eustace]

Thanks Gary

Using a Sony Vao laptop with only 3 ports. Need one for mouse, one for hub and one for files from design computer. Will get another hub and plonk the spindle in with the mouse. I did do speed tests though with the spindle in its own port and there was no difference on the old SB3. Old speed was always 78.

Pics are your diagnostic suggestions. Outside your tolerance at 22.7 milliseconds. Is this a disaster?????? Running Vistra and only used to drive Shopbot?????
Test voltage came in at 4.822 and very steady. Is this OK??????

Bob

[garyc]

Bob...
My answers:
Put the Hub in one port, the speed controller in another and your mouse in the third. Plug your transfer drive into the hub to transfer a file to your laptop drive, then remove it. Some computers require SB3 to be off or in preview mode so that there is not a USB comm break when thumb drive is removed or inserted.

Even tho comm rate will not show a difference when idle, the spindle requires data updates in 2 directions, when on the same hub with the controllers, some computers do not handle this as well as others.

I dont think that the packet et draws a line as defined as the old Speed Test did, so not disastrous, but good systems return numbers in the mid teens.

Your below 5 volt readings cause me concern as there is a threshold, 4.7 volts, I think, that will cause the controller card to time out due to low USB voltage. This could be problematic if that threshold is crossed during cutting.

The following are the reasons that I (personally) would not use a laptop for a control computer: Please understand that my income depended on a reliable working system most every day.

Not enough USB ports especially "root" ports
Power supplies that are too weak (low voltage)
Keyboards that get clogged
Non grounded chassis
They are made for occasional, not continuous use
They have power saving features built in to save the battery by shutting down or reducing power to screens, hard drives, etc.

I will not get into all the things that I do not like about Vista.

Mark...
Yes, very well. IMHO Win XP is my favorite, most reliable OS to date for SB control.

Bob R...
The 3.8 versions will work fine on your RBK. I cannot answer your other questions, as I dont put software other than SB3... Adobe reader and the SB LInk on a control computer.

[bob_s]

Gary
My control computer is an older Windows XP machine with nothing but Sb software. Can I use a thumb drive to transfer the new software from my design computer without putting my control computer back on the network?
Thanks

[jerry_stanek]

Thats how I did it down loaded on my house computer transferred it to a thumb drive and loaded it on my Shopbot computer.

[garyc]

Bob S...
OF course. Thats my favorite method.

[mark_stief]

OK So I have the new card ordered and on it's way can I download the new version and use it on my control computer till the new card gets here or should I stay where I'm at until I install the new card:confused:

[srwtlc]

Because this version requires a firmware update, I'd stay where you're at until you get it installed.

[mjindustry]

I have installed the new control software but it says stay in preview mode to update firmware. That computer is not connected tot he internet. Any advice to get that firmware update completed?

Thank you.

Here's what our board looks like did not see the version on there..

[mjindustry]

Got the firmware installed from within the program. All appears to be good and working so far.

How fast can we go with a PRT and RBK upgrade?

[Bob Eustace]

I have installed the new control software but it says stay in preview mode to update firmware. That computer is not connected tot he internet. Any advice to get that firmware update completed?

Thank you.

Here's what our board looks like did not see the version on there..

I toooooo couldnt find the version number. The control board is NOT the board in your pic. Its a small board mounted on the BACK LHS right near that multi coloured ribbon cable. The pic on their website is 100% correct BUT it doesnt mention that its round the corner. If you lay on the floor with a torch you can just see the number on the board. Luckily its not upside down. Best to turn your isolator switch off at the wall as some of the left side is still live. Now Jack should get his dog to roll on the floor before laying down to clean up the shavings!!! I love looking in this box as its all so beautifully done, so rare these days. Might put a perspex window in the front!

[zeykr]

Just to be clear -- Bob is an Aussie -- When he says torch he means flashlight. I don't recommend flame near your control box! :eek:

[Bob Eustace]

Gary

Thanks for the detailed reply especially on a Saturday!! The 5 volts DC - is this the USB voltage? Our supplied hub failed last year and now using a powered Logitech that Chrissy had in stock. Should we buy the best powered hub money can buy? Yes we followed your advice from last time and always go into preview mode to remove the thumb drive. Now looking at a desktop. They all seem to be like the Mac with the innards inside the monitor. Is it OK to get this type! What happens with USB3? Now the nasty question!! What do you suggest spec wise bearing in mind all are Windows 8 out here!

[ron_moorehead]

Check this post out:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16982

I am working on putting the parts together to build my own Mini ITX computer that I will load a old copy of Windows XP with SP3 on it.

I got a Asus P8H77-1 mother board with a Intel G630 Dual Core, with 4 gig ram and a 256 gig byte solid state hard drive.

You can still find copies of XP on the web for sale.

I all the documentation from ShopBot they say to use a non powered USB hub. I was using a powered hub and was getting com errors once or twice a week, once I removed the power supply from the hub my com problems went away.

[Bob Eustace]

Gary

Did some straight line tests and changed the ports around as you suggested. No change in voltage BUT now down to 13.1. If I run a circle I get the 23 reading?? What gives please.

Thanks

[Simops]

Sounds like this v3.8 is more trouble than its worth:eek:......stick with what I know works for me.....3.6.....!

[jerry_stanek]

I have been running the 3.8.28 beta that works very well for me. Today I will try the new RC02

[gerryv]

Just loaded 3.8 on Win8 a few days ago on a new ASA'S computer but haven't got things hooked up on the Shopbot yet. Assuming things get wonky:

Is it possible to load both 3.8 and an earlier version in separate folders on the same hard drive without issues?

If yes, does anything special need to be done when loading an older version after a newer version in the case of the SB software.

Would it be necessary to setup on different partitions and would that create any inconveniences?

[garyc]

Here is a link to the SB "Check Control Card Version" doc: http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/control_card_Version.htm

RBK Standards have the controller cards mounted BEHIND the mainboard on the left end. Follow the USB cable to the controller card

[Ajcoholic]

Sounds like this v3.8 is more trouble than its worth:eek:......stick with what I know works for me.....3.6.....!

I might also be in the minority, but I am always reluctant to change things that I both know and feel comfortable using, and technically work well.

Ill let you guys test everything out before I decide to upgrade... I am a decent woodworker but almost computer illiterate.

[mjindustry]

When we first installed 3.8 we were able to jog around with the keypad at 12 ips. Don't know what happen since, but it switches back to 6 ips jog speed on it's own now. Was liking the 12 ips.

[mjindustry]

I take that back, I just adjusted speed mid cut to 9 ips cut and 12ips jog. :eek:

[garyc]

Guys/Gals...
There is 1 additional note pertaining to the SpeedTest.exe. If you are upgrading from one of the 3.6.xx versions, and don't uninstall SB3 using Windows, SpeedTest will remain in the Diagnostics folder. Using the [U][T] command opens this folder and you have the ability to run the Speed Test. Dont be tempted, it does not work with the new firmware.

But, if you use the Windows uninstall (Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs in XP, or Control Panel> Programs/Features in Win7) to remove SB3 prior to installing SB3.8.xx the SpeedTest app will not be on the computer. As it should be for the new versions.

Sorry for the confusion.

[frank134]

What happen to the tool bar. I can not seem to get it to work. Is their something I need to read?

[srwtlc]

Frank, do you mean the toolbar that you could add your own buttons to, or just the default toolbar buttons for homing and zeroing etc.?

The default ones are now on the red position DRO window and if you want to make your own buttons that pop up in a separate window, you can set them up by using Tools|Buttons. While it works, it's a bit buggy.

[GlenP]

I installed the new control software and updated firmware and first thing I tried was using keypad to move gantry. The bot made a growling noise as if it was loosing and regaining comms. I reinstalled 3.6.38 (if memory is right) and machine is fine again. My control card is ver 2.04. Any ideas what might I may have done wrong or why it would do that.:confused:

[frank134]

Yes I ment the one you could add button too. I can't seam to get it to work at all.