Communication issue

[botbike]

Hello!

Please advice if this is not the propper place for this enquiry.

I have an old shopbot, couldn´t say what model. I manage it with a WIN98 based software and it has the controller board I attach on the images. When I start the program it checks com port and acts as if everything was OK. It says it´s connected and when I move the tool around the table it moves the numbers on the screen, but the tool doesn't move an inch. I don't know if it's something not communicating with something because the computer seems to be sending data through the serial cable but the motors are not moving.

This machine used to get "disconected" like this from time to time and some shaking of the cables, disconnect and reconnect everything used to " wake her up" but now It´s not moving fot two days already. I measured voltager on both the power source I have and the results are what's attached.

What seems to be going wrong?

[zeykr]

The machine is a PR, afraid I can't be any more help than that though.
The controller picture is very out of focus and can't tell who made it.

[botbike]

Here's a better photo. Support suggested that my power supply might be bad. I am trying to install a plasma cutter, what sems to be making this really hard. Lately it would get "disconnected" for some time but eventually would come back. i would hear the sound of the engines receiving electricyty and it would connect...

[botbike]

Here's a better photo. Support suggested that my power supply might be bad. I am trying to install a plasma cutter, what sems to be making this really hard. Lately it would get "disconnected" for some time but eventually would come back. i would hear the sound of the engines receiving electricyty and it would connect...

[tomwillis]

Pablo - not sure what kind of controller you have that will support plasma....but here's a link to WinCNC. They DO offer plasma support. Good luck with the changeover.....you'll need it. Integrating my 40w laser into the Shopbot platform was a huge headache and VERY expensive.
Tom

[tomwillis]

sorry - here's the link.
http://www.wincnc.net/mapp_plasma.php
tw

[jerry_stanek]

You may want to get the 4g upgrade if you can't fix your controller.

[shilala]

I had no idea that early Shopbots were built from unistrut and strut clips. My first thought was that they must have been sheer hell to keep squared up, then I guessed that most everything must have been back-welded. Anyone know if that's the case?
Sorry for the thread-jack, I've just never seen an old shopbot like this and thought it was infinitely cool.

I LOVE your desk chair, Pablo!!!

[rb99]

Shear hell...

The controller was very low res, and motors underpowered.