Shopbot Controller

[Simops]

Guys,

Before I contact Shopbot on Monday (10000 miles away:) )I'm hoping someone here has had this issue and can help.

Turned on PRS Buddy 48 and shopbot control software spits the dummy and says can't connect to Shopbot controller. Pick another port.....mmmm Been fine for years

Checked Device Manager and Shopbot is allocated to Port 5 and is also present in the USB devices......Changed the USB cable from Controller to PC and same.

Cant find any issue PC side.....has my Shopbot controller gone U/S?

Cheers325093251032511

[tlempicke]

"Spits the dummy"

What on earth does that mean?

Ahhhhh now I see -- that must be an Aussie expletive!

Inside of your control box will be a small daughter board that is connected to the main board. The USB cable plugs in to it. An LED will be flashing when communication is taking place. Start there.

[robtown]

Guys,

Before I contact Shopbot on Monday (10000 miles away:) )I'm hoping someone here has had this issue and can help.

Turned on PRS Buddy 48 and shopbot control software spits the dummy and says can't connect to Shopbot controller. Pick another port.....mmmm Been fine for years

Checked Device Manager and Shopbot is allocated to Port 5 and is also present in the USB devices......Changed the USB cable from Controller to PC and same.

Cant find any issue PC side.....has my Shopbot controller gone U/S?

Cheershttp://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32509&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32510&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32511&stc=1
I had a similar issue recently.
When I powered up, my motors would clunk and lock properly, but no comm with the computer. My problem turned out to be a dead power supply in my control box (my control box has two power supplies, a 48v to run the stepper motors, and a 12v to run the board. The 12v had died.)

[tlempicke]

Yeah I have had the same problem. Easy to check with voltmeter.

[srwtlc]

Does your controller have one of the USB to serial adapters (little pig tail kind of thing)? Those go bad as well now and then.

[Simops]

Thanks guys......I’ll check the power supplies.....looks something has failed so will be contacting SB
The controller does have a small board piggy backed onto the main control board.....I’ll check if there is blinking light.

BTW......”spit the Dummy”.......you know when a baby spits out their sucking dummy thingo.....because they are contrary or unhappy!!!��

[Simops]

Jut had a look and the LEDs on the main board and the piggy back board that the USB lead is connected to are on.....not blinking though.
The fuses are good. I don’t have a 12v supply that I can see though......I have 63v, 24v and 5vdc.
So I think this will need expert SB support.
Cheers
32512
32513
32514

[dlcw]

I've had this happen several times. I'm convinced it is a problem when SB3 software closes down, it corrupts its initialization files.

Thru the process of turning everything off, unplugging all the CNC related USB cables, turn everything back on, plug in CNC USB cables, it tends to fix itself. At least this has been my experience of 10 years of dealing with the ever so unreliable USB communication link Shopbot insists on using.

[tlempicke]

At one time Shopbot was giving out little guys that look like the pix attached. What it was all about was that the USB 2.0 standard was what the input board needed to see. By putting this hub into the computer and then plugging your Shopbot input into it the computer would be "Forced" into USB 2.0 mode. If you have one of these that is what it is for.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32519&stc=1

[dlcw]

At one time Shopbot was giving out little guys that look like the pix attached. What it was all about was that the USB 2.0 standard was what the input board needed to see. By putting this hub into the computer and then plugging your Shopbot input into it the computer would be "Forced" into USB 2.0 mode. If you have one of these that is what it is for.

I've removed all hubs from my setup. I use a USB extension cables from the VFD and controller directly to USB ports on my computer. I do have a powered hub connected to my computer but it is for things like keyboard, mouse, barcode scanner, etc. Like in my previous post, my system still has occasional brain farts so I shut everything down, unplug the USB cables, turn everything back on and plug in the USB cables. Seems to work for my setup.

[Simops]

Hey Guys.....I’ve got Shopbot techs on the case now. It’s narrowing down to the USB control card .....it looks like it might have given up the ghost!!!!......just waiting for confirmation......

[Simops]

Just a final follow up in case any one else in this situation. The controller board (the one that the USB cable is connected to) was indeed fried. Shopbot sent out a new one and once installed the Buddy was recognised in the Device Manager.
BUT it still did not work and still kept saying no device connected.....what the!!!!

Anyhow after some to and froeing with Shopbot tech it was decided I needed to reinstall the Shopbot software from scratch. They suggested I upgrade to latest version 3.8.50 from my 3.6.44......bit nervous about it but hey I had no option.

Well Shopbot sent me really good instructions, including going into the registry and cleaning out the old SB3 software. I was back to complete clean base to reinstall. Went a dream and installed perfectly and all working tip top again������

Nice to know that the machine is backed by such good product support team!

Cheers

[coryatjohn]

Just out of curiosity, what did this problem end up costing you from Shopbot? What build year is your machine?

[Simops]

The board cost (after applying the Aussie peso exchange rate and international priority mail) just over $350
But I can’t complain as I purchased the Buddy PRS 48 in 2011 and this has been my first breakdown in that time......so really, really can’t complain.

Cheers