What can cause this error???

[Austin Shafer]

What can cause this? could it be the USB hub? usually I have to unplug the hub and plug it back in then start back where it left off.26325

[Brady Watson]

If you have to do that, it usually means that the computer's USB hardware (on the MoBo) is flaky. Is it a Dell?

I've seen this happen a few different ways...1) The USB hardware on the computer is junk & the KB/Mouse are on the same bus as the SB. 2) You are using Windows XP and transferring files via USB thumb drive and you don't Eject the thumb drive before physically pulling it out of the port. 3) You are running Win7 or 8 and USB is set to go asleep after a certain amount of time via Power Management.

When I run into these issues, my recommendation is to add a PCI to USB expansion card to the computer and put the hub and SB on that bus exclusively. This eliminates other USB devices from interfering with the SB connection.

-B

[Austin Shafer]

Its windows 7 and it happens completely randomly and not very often. Im using dropbox to transfer files and the old tech guy said that it happened even when it was first set up. Oh and it is a HP PC.

[MogulTx]

Gonna hop onto Austin's thread: Brady: I often get a lack of Comm when I open SB3, and have to unplug my USB cable from the powered hub. If I were to install a dedicated board- would it solve that issue? I have dealt with it for so long that I almost forget that it does that.... (Would be a cheap fix to add a board). Mine IS a Dell- and I have seen you comment on their USB scheme previously... Monty

[Brady Watson]

Austin/Monte,
Sometimes the problem lies in the motherboard and BIOS of the specific computer in question. Manufacturers have been putting power management on the board level (not even accessible via Windows) to make USB devices go to sleep as part of an EnergyStar initiative. Some will let you toggle it off in BIOS, others no. I am not say that is the case here, but it is something to keep in mind.

Any time a customer has problems with COM and USB, I nearly always recommend they first clean off all junkware on the computer and install a PCI to USB card to get the SB it's own bus channel. I don't know who makes the best ones currently, but make sure it'll fit in your box, is the right speed, and research/read reviews on performance etc. It's an online only thing these days...Staples used to stock decent Belkin ones, but I believe they were found to be too useful/convenient so they pulled them off the shelf. :rolleyes:

I personally build all of my computers from scratch and do a lot of research before I buy the components to make sure it is going to be super duty, with the least number of hidden snafus like board level power management. Few things suck more than a job that has to be rushed out the door, or problems in the middle of a long mission critical job - and you are held up with computer problems. I've been getting 7-10 years out of my computers. It's more money up front because you are buying premium hardware, but way cheaper in the long run. Especially if you rely on your machine to pay the bills.

The quality of the PC used to run your ShopBot is SO IMPORTANT to it being reliable. Most, not all, find the cheapest POS e-Machine they can get on sale and expect it to run a CNC in production....when all the while the hardware on that machine was designed to browse email and tell lies on social media...:p

At some point in the future, many if not all of the CNC controllers will go to a thin client architecture where the bulk of the processing is done within the outboard hardware, and the only COM will be via simple commands sent from the interface. All the heavy lifting will be done in the control box, unlike now where your fat PC is sending COM over USB to the thin controller. So this probably won't be a big concern in the future, but for today, beef up your USB hardware.

-B

[Austin Shafer]

will do;-) always dropping great knowledge on us!

[BrandanS]

This is something which plagues me off and on as well. Of the 4 PRS alphas I manage, 2 are dual spindles, one ATC, and one single head (no ATC). The dual spindles and the ATC run off the exact same PC build. I have no problems with the Duals but every once and awhile, I'll get that yellow box consistently from my ATC. I persevere through about a weeks time and then, the issue fades and I forget how frustrating my experience had been. I will say that that duals run off a different control software version than the ATC. I suspect that may be the ticket, however, after having MAJOR stability issues on other SB3 Control Versions on the ATC, I am running the recommended from SB (Ryan). To my dismay, I still have issues.

There are a lot of variables and code being passed during a Tool Change, and I suspect the Control may have a handling (buffer over/under run) but that's just speculation. More often then not, it seems to occur at the completion of a tool change, however, it has also happened in the middle of a non-ATC routine. *sigh*

[Brady Watson]

...every once and awhile, I'll get that yellow box consistently from my ATC. I persevere through about a weeks time and then, the issue fades and I forget how frustrating my experience had been.

This sounds to me like a static electricity issue, which by its very nature can knock out COMs, cause false triggers of the proxies and other problems. It is prevalent every once in a while when the air is dry; more so in the winter months.

Do you have a BARE COPPER wire running THROUGH the CENTER of your dust collection hose & terminating at the grounded metal pipe or dust collector? The end by the spindle/foot should just be folded over where the hose meets the connector and not tied to ground or anything metal on that end. The metal spiral wound wire insulated/encapsulated in the hose itself is useless for static wicking. Its only function is to provide support for the hose shape.

-B

[BrandanS]

This sounds to me like a static electricity issue, which by its very nature can knock out COMs, cause false triggers of the proxies and other problems. It is prevalent every once in a while when the air is dry; more so in the winter months.

Do you have a BARE COPPER wire running THROUGH the CENTER of your dust collection hose & terminating at the grounded metal pipe or dust collector? The end by the spindle/foot should just be folded over where the hose meets the connector and not tied to ground or anything metal on that end. The metal spiral wound wire insulated/encapsulated in the hose itself is useless for static wicking. Its only function is to provide support for the hose shape.

-B


Thanks Brady, although we don't have a dust collector; aluminum is our primary media (too heavy). I did have grounding issues originally about a year and a half ago on the first SB. After reading through the forums (probably something you posted) I had an industrial electrician go through the grounding of the machine. I'm confident that my grounding is good, only because I am fortunate to have a knowledgeable electrician on site at my disposal.

I will, when/if I get similar symptoms, have him look at the grounding again.

As always, thanks for your valuable input. Mostly, once I saw the thread, I wanted to share my experience.

[chiloquinruss]

"static electricity issue" I have zero issues in the winter time, but come high desert summer time, welllllllll! :mad: Sometimes depending on conditions in your locale its a good idea to occasionally clean the contact points for your grounding systems. Russ

[Brady Watson]

Brandan,
You are welcome...we're all in this thing together ;)

It is possible to generate substantial static electricity using vacuum hold down. I always recommend wearing safety glasses while cutting AL, not so much for WHILE you are cutting (but always a good idea), but AFTER the parts are cut and the AL is lifted - the built up static charge will shoot AL chips right into your face/eyes.

Some plastics and foam will also cause a heavy charge build up that needs to go somewhere...either to ground directly, through YOU or your cables. Whichever is the path of least resistance.

-B

[Austin Shafer]

26445

Figured I would give an update. I ordered this Anker 3.0 USB hub shortly after making this thread and I am glad to say I think it fixed my issue! Has not happened since I plugged this thing in. It was usually happening a few times a week at least.

[BrandanS]

26445

Figured I would give an update. I ordered this Anker 3.0 USB hub shortly after making this thread and I am glad to say I think it fixed my issue! Has not happened since I plugged this thing in. It was usually happening a few times a week at least.

Austin,

Thanks for coming back to the Thread to close up your experience! I will look into a similar solution for myself :D.