Router does not turn on

I just set up my bot and learning the basics, can I turn the router on and off with the keyboard. I have moved the router around some and run the "shopbotlogo" file, but the PC router itself has never come on. I don't know if there is something wrong or I need to type a command. The router is turned on at the router.

Thanks
Mike

Mike I had a similar experience when I upgraded to the alpha-- suddenly the router control is more than a switch. First make sure that you have the router switched on and plugged into the controlled relay. Then...

Ok, here's how router control works. Basically, the first thing that has to happen is that output 1 must be on. Second, the machine must be commanded to move or be able to potentially move - that is, you have to load a part file, give the machine a move command, or put it in keyboard control mode. In the first two cases - loading a part file or issuing a move command, you will get a prompt to press the start button and confirm that the router is up to speed before continuing, if you are in keyboard mode the start button will be enabled but there will be no prompt. In our advanced toolpathing softwares, we are setting it up so that it will write a command to turn output 1 on at the beginning, then turn it off at the end. If you are using a toolpathing software that doesn't have this feature yet (like PartWizard), then you can just turn the output on manually, it wil stay on until it is told to turn off. Consequently you will get the prompt to turn your router on at the beginning of part files and moves. The command is quite simple:

SO,1,1

This code means "Set Output" - the first parameter is which switch (1), the second parameter is which state (0=off, 1=on). What you do is type in SO, fill in the sheet that comes up, then load your part files as before. A prompt dialog box will appear on your computer screen. When the prompt to turn the router on comes up, just hit the start button. At the end of the file, the router should shut off, but the output will remain on.

That should fix you up.

Thanks Bud,

So can I manually just turn the router on,"type SO,1,1" and then how would I turn it off? I just want to test the wiring and make sure it works.

Thanks
Mike

Hi Mike!

If you go into "K" mode (S-K), you should be able to turn it on by clicking output switche #1... to turning it off, re-click output switche #1...

Mike,

from a file control; SO,1,1 to turn it on and SO,1,0 to turn it off... this should work too if you type it in the comand line... I believe...

just typing SO,1,1 doesn't turn on the router...you have to then make a move or run a file at which time you'll get the prompt to press the green button on the control box then hit enter to continue, or something like that. When entering moves manually using Move,Jog, or Cut commands, you will get the prompt each time you enter a command that would cause the machine to move, then the router will turn off after the move. You have to press the green button to turn the router on for each move. (Of course the ShopBot doesn't know if the router is on. If you are making a jog move and don't need it on, just hit enter without pressing the green button)

When using the SO command within a file, you will get the prompt the at the first instance of the SO,1,1 command within a file. If the file then includes SO,1,0 (router off), and then SO,1,1 (router on) again, the router will turn on immediately with no prompt. The Keyboard mode works similarly, once the router has been turned on you can turn it off and on at will without having to press the green button again.

Right David,

output switch #4 should be on too... like in K mode.

Mike,

If everything else fails, you can run an extension cord directly to the router and then use the router's on/off switch to control the router. That would buy you enough time to actually use your machine until you can contact Shopbot via phone to get clarification or instructions.

When I first got my alpha last July, I wondered why everyone was having trouble starting their routers. What I didn't realize is that because I I had ordered my machine to be configured for a spindle (which I still haven't purchased), I could manually control the router motor via the router's on/off switch.

Now that I know how to control the router with software, I have the following code at the start of every sbp file:

SA
JZ, 1
J2, 0,0
SO, 1, 1

And at the end of every file, I have this code:

JZ, 1
SO, 1, 0
J2, 0,0

Just as the others in this thread have instructed, the SO 1,x command controls the router.

All Set, Thanks

After searching all over the screen for a start button, finally realized it was on the control panel duh!

Using Mike's code at the beginning and end

Thanks Again

Mike,
One other thing that may be useful to know. Once S1 is on, the Shopbot will always prompt for start then start the router on green button press, before each move as others have described.
If the Shopbot is switched to preview, this turns S1 off. When returned to Run mode, the next move or program executed will not prompt or turn the router on unless S1 is turned on again by the operator or program Not realizing this can cause a broken bit.