Spacebar...Scratching our heads???

[scottp55]

Training Kirk yesterday and we were doing a 2-sided cribbage board design from scratch to familiarize him with start to finish project. Second side almost done and using a new 82degree countersink on the holes. Been cutting 12 hours so stared at .02" and planned to go deeper by changing toolpath(no nudging). Didn't hear bit cutting so hit spacebar to pause, Machine did not lift up-spindle did Not shut off- Spacebar did NOTHING-hit e-stop at same time as lost comms showed up-E-stop had to be toggled twice before shut down.
65F, 52%humidity, 3.8.4(same as since new in August), VCarvePro, Windows7(bare bones), no DC on, UPS on computer(not Desktop), non powered hub, no power surges noticed.
Shutdown Sb3, blew out keyboard and connections and set up again, rechecked all files, checked taskbar for anything else running, Nothing.
Changed cut depth on drilling toolpath to .03"(It would not let me change cutting depth of bit in database(Odd),Tool is under engraving bits as a .25" 80degree, .05"flat) and a default pass depth of .018" is locked in(?) and changes cannot be "Apply" or edited so it is cutting air in 3 pecks(?).
.03" depth still no cutting heard so Paused after 25 holes, tool did not retract and spindle did not shut off, lost comms before hit E-stop. No hit error. Rebooted computer and started again.
Redid toolpath to .04" (now 4 "pecks"), 25 holes and hit spacebar AND mouse. spacebar did nothing a second later mouse did and spindle did lift and did stop BUT slow. Did lose comms but not for 20 seconds.
Reset sb3, scanned computer again for anything running in background, NOTHING.
Reset toolpath for .055" and let run without daring to pause it.
Quit for day (13 hours).
Still haven't figured out this event I haven't seen before, going out now to clean all connections before Kirk gets up and we finish this and 2 small project before he has to head out home(5.5 hrs on good road conditions) to beat this storm coming today .
Researched a little bit and all I found was problems in 2011 that were similar but not identical.
110 amp separate sub-panel in shop. Desktop on separate 20A GFI breaker at different end of panel from other large draws. computer and UPS on separate breaker-same.
Ideas?:confused:

[Brady Watson]

Ditch the 3.8.4 for 3.8.10 - that is a buggy version.

Also, weird things can happen sometimes when you hit the spacebar when the Z is doing a plunge or retract. The e-stop should be left OFF to be responsive - NOT toggled on & off in rapid succession. Upgrade to v3.8.10 and see if it is more responsive to kb requests.

-B

[scottp55]

Thanks Brady, Probably did hit spacebar during as safe was .2 and doing multiple hole. Did not rapidly toggle, hit E-stop and after no response in five seconds, thought bad contact and toggled once. Thanks will upgrade after this cutting session done.

[Brady Watson]

Scott,
Be sure to send a note in to tech support. If the e-stop is not responding this is a safety issue & should be looked into. As you know, SB support doesn't really monitor the forum.

-B

[scottp55]

Thanks again Brady, seems fine today(fingers crossed will mention to support)

[donek]

I recently upgraded to 3.8.10 and have an e-stop issue as well. If I use the keyboard as an e-stop rather than the mouse the software just shuts down and looses the zero. Very annoying.

Another problem I've found with it is that the FG command does not function on large programs. When the go button is clicked, the software simply crashes and I have to shut down through task manager, reset my zeros and try again. the only solution has been to create a sub file that starts on the line I want to start on or inserting a goto command.

I need to report this issue as well I guess.

[scottp55]

Sean, just forwarded mine to Support. Going to go to 3.8.10 tomorrow. Interested to hear how yours works out.

[donek]

Sean, just forwarded mine to Support. Going to go to 3.8.10 tomorrow. Interested to hear how yours works out.

Did mine as well. Test that e-stop issue if you get a chance and if you're familiar with the FG, give it a try and let me know if you experience difficulties.

[scottp55]

Have not FG'd, will look it up and try tomorrow.

[ted]

Hi All,

Yes, please transition to 3.8.10.

Meanwhile, we have found the bug noted by Sean with FG and it is fixed in the next version, which will be posted as soon as we do a little more testing.

Sean, in 3.8.10, the just hitting the space bar should not shut the software off -- HOWEVER, by way of adding a little more absolute control, we have been experimenting with a function that does shut down the system if you hit the space bar multiple times. This is usually about 5 times, but perhaps we have set that at a somewhat too sensitive level.

Also, in the 3.8.10 software, as long as you don't turn the control box off, your location should be saved and available when you restart the tool (note that this is a new functionality in the software). Let me know if that is not happening for you.

Thanks,

=Ted

[ted]

Oh, and Scott. Thanks for the initial report on the Desktop ... and as Brady mentions, 3.8.10 should be more stable.

Note that on the Desktop, the e-Stop is the power switch and will produce a full de-powering of the tool. When using it is necessary, you will need to shutdown and restart the software because the communications link will be interrupted by the power down.

Ted Hall, ShopBot Tools

[scottp55]

Thanks Ted, will do, and thanks for the fast response.

[scottp55]

Sean, Just upgraded to 3.8.10 (ten minutes-no glitches). Zeroed and ran aircut simple file with lots of plunges and paused using both spacebar and mouse and once during a plunge move, and if anything the response between spacebar and the retract was faster(there was a pause before-almost instant now).
Tried FG for first time on that same simple program and it worked-Yeah! so went into a 4 cribbage board hole pattern(don't have any 3D files yet) picked a line # about midway and started drilling air perfectly. Will try during an actual cut and listen. BTW, Thanks hadn't dared try it until I needed it, but as long as I was rezeroed in mid air I tried it, now I'll use it and will be helpful working alone.:)

[donek]

Sean, Just upgraded to 3.8.10 (ten minutes-no glitches). Zeroed and ran aircut simple file with lots of plunges and paused using both spacebar and mouse and once during a plunge move, and if anything the response between spacebar and the retract was faster(there was a pause before-almost instant now).
Tried FG for first time on that same simple program and it worked-Yeah! so went into a 4 cribbage board hole pattern(don't have any 3D files yet) picked a line # about midway and started drilling air perfectly. Will try during an actual cut and listen. BTW, Thanks hadn't dared try it until I needed it, but as long as I was rezeroed in mid air I tried it, now I'll use it and will be helpful working alone.:)
I heard back from shopbot on the spacebar issue. Apparently it's a selective issue that only pesters some people. They want to know computer specs so they can narrow it down.