driver/ motor error

[lutchman]

hi, we have a prt alpha and i am getting a driver/motor error, at first i saw that the z zero plate was grounding and causing the error so i fixed that and still getting the same error. it not just at one spot on the table, it happens at different areas, can anyone shed some light on this issue, plz

[Brady Watson]

Make sure your safe Z height in your file is not so much that it causes the Z to lift too high, hitting the hard stops and causing the driver to fail. This will usually happen within a few seconds of running a file. Be sure to power off the control box and slowly push the Z down about 1/2" before turning the box back on. Then check your safe Z height to make sure it isn't topping out.

Other than this...it is possible that you have a loose connection or broken wire. If your wiring is neat & tidy, I doubt this is the case. Check the wiring to make sure nothing is strained.

-B

[lutchman]

i did check my file and everything is ok with it, i zeroed my z axis above the material and ran the file about 2" above the material and started fiddling with the wires, seems that all the wires are connected good, even checked inside the control box. nothing. it seems to me that once there is to much force on the spindle it jams and the error occurs, is that even possible? could grounding be an issue in this case?

[BrandanS]

Hey Lutchman,

I had a similar issue when we first got our PRSalpha; I also felt like it was grounding. I had our electrician run grounding cable from the frame in a few locations to the control box ground and this solved my issue. Hopefully it works as well for you. The reason I thought it to be grounding was the fault was random and intermittent. I have a background in automation, and grounding issues will normally throw these kind of faults. Check that your USB to your PC is shielded. I think I am still using the one from ShopBot however.

Brandan


i did check my file and everything is ok with it, i zeroed my z axis above the material and ran the file about 2" above the material and started fiddling with the wires, seems that all the wires are connected good, even checked inside the control box. nothing. it seems to me that once there is to much force on the spindle it jams and the error occurs, is that even possible? could grounding be an issue in this case?

[Brady Watson]

it seems to me that once there is to much force on the spindle it jams and the error occurs, is that even possible? could grounding be an issue in this case?

Absolutely! If you apply a 1 horsepower load to a 1/2 hp motor, it is going to stall.

Conditions that can cause a driver fault include:

Motor hitting hard stops - immovable force
Cutting too fast or too deep
Cutter dull requiring excessive force to cut
Non-center cutting bit plunged straight down into work - not ramped into cut (Does your tool have a cutting edge across the ENTIRE bottom? - many do not)
Improper hold down - part breaks free & jams against machine etc
Broken or loose wiring from motor to control board


Grounding can always be an issue - however, I don't think that is the culprit in your case. Especially since it is pretty humid in your neck of the woods.

-B