If one of your stepper motors decides to stop moving and the others are moving during a CNC milling or laser cutting job, then there could be two things that could be causing this.

- The motor found its limiting torque (usually comes with a not-so-pleasant sound). This is where the control software is trying to move the stepper motor too fast (velocity, or too fast too quickly, acceleration) and the load against the stepper motor (inertia of the machine, or the material against the end mill while milling). Recommended action is to lower the velocity and/or acceleration, and/or lower the feedrate when cutting.

- There is a wiring issue with the wiring from the driver to the motor. This could be a loose wire, or a chafed wire (or two shorting together). It can also be a loose digital wire from the controller board to the driver. Sometimes wire ties can be the culprit. Recommended action would be to thoroughly inspect the wiring.

It's probably not the limit switches since that would cause a stop to the entire motion of the cnc router or laser machine.

Sometimes Mach3 will show a status when something goes wrong, but in cases where the motor is stopping due to its torque limit, then that would not be shown in the status. It's always good to check it anyway.

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I need to clarify my situation a little better after going to my shop and trying to run another program on Mach 3. About 15 minutes into the milling process all the motors (2-X axis, Y axis and Z axis)stop but the program continues to run. I stop the program and after a couple of minutes when I try to restart the program all the motors start working again. Then after another 15 minutes or so, all the motors stop again. I checked and rechecked my wiring. This has never happened to me before when running the same programs with the same setups and motor speeds. All of a sudden when I reloaded a program I successfully used before it does this. Do you have any recommendations?

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Yeah, it sounds like a more complex issue. Have you tried running in the air without using the spindle. This may be a power related issue.

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That's exactly what I did. I ran the program without the router motor on just to see if the motors would get through the whole program but they stopped working after about fifteen minutes and then I was able to start them again after about 3 or 4 minutes. I never had this problem before so you can imagine my frustration especially after ruining a couple of projects on expensive material.

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Sure. I can completely understand. Try this: disconnect all but one of the driver from power and digital connection and do the air run. Repeat this for each driver and note your findings. This will rule out the drivers causing a power failure.

Also, is your stepper motors and drivers on a separate power circuit from the computer?

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I will try disconnecting each driver and digital connection, which will be a real pain because it will be hard to access.

All the stepper motors, drivers and computer are plugged into the same power strip.

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Ok, so there is no power failure going on, but I believe it is necessary to test each stepper motor and driver pair individually. Hopefully that will lead to a conclusion.

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It will take a little time but I will do it and report back on my findings.

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Curious, what machine is exhibiting this problem?

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I purchased a BYCNC kit back in 2009 with an approximate cutting area of 2' X 4'. I later changed out the Z-Axis Motor and controller for a larger one and have two X-axis motors and controllers. In 2010 I rebuilt the machine out of birch plywood instead of the particle board that the kit supplied. I sent Patrick pictures to him. The machine never gave me a problem till now.

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Thanks for the update. This is Patrick by the way. I answer pretty much all of the Customer Service questions. That machine has given quite a good history.

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I love the machine and made a number of samples of my work for my e-commerce site, but I can't start selling product until I know this problem is solved because I will not be able to fulfill orders. I finally got all the electronics out of its enclosed protected area near the machine so that I test each controller as you recommended. I hope the problem can be rectified. Will let you know.

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Thanks.

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I tested each stepper motor and driver pair individually and they worked so what might be the next step?

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Did each stepper motor driver pair work for the full +15 minutes?

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Yes, I had them in operation for over 30 minutes.

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Ok, well it’s good that the motors and driver are ok. We are now down to the power supply and the breakout board as possible causes for the stop. I have a feeling it may be the power supply where with all three drivers drawing current and the power supply maybe getting too hot. Is the fan in the power supply working? You can also test to see if there is 36 volts on the power supply voltage output (V+ and V-).

Regarding the breakout board, if you have an oscilloscope, you can test if the driver pulses are outputting, but I would consider this as a last resort after you determine if there is a problem with the power supply.

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I tested the power supply with a voltmeter and each output was registering 39-40 volts. I think the problem may be the g-code. I am using V-Carve pro to do design and output to Mach 3 Mill g-code. When I studied the g-code lines I noticed that further into the program the z-axis g-code stopped zeroing out to move to the next part of the carving. In other words both the x and y keep moving and the z just stopped working because there was g-code missing. I think something is missing when the design was converted to g-code. I noticed that when I ran a simpler project it worked without problems so I need to investigate this further.

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New Update, Its not the g-code. I started to run the long program and everything was working fine until about 45 minutes into it, all the motors stopped working (but the program was still running) and there was a high pitched hum. When I put my hands on the motors they were all trying to move but it seemed they were all stalled. I turned the power off, gave it a minute and when I turned it back on I was able to move the motors again. Could this be a power supply problem?

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It does sound more and more like a power supply problem. Did you test the power supply after the motors stopped?

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No, I did not. What should I be looking for.

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It’s good that you know the voltage during normal operation, so you have a base understood. If the power supply is the problem, the voltage will be reduced or non existent when measured after the problem.

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Also, check to see if the fan is running on the power supply when the motors stop. That may (not absolutely) be an indication.

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I'll run another test, check the voltage and fan when the problem occurs and let you know. Thanks for hanging in there with me as we try to resolve the problem.

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It’s my pleasure. This service is rarely used and is faster then email. Odd nobody uses it. Any recommendations you can give would be great. No problem using this FAQ to pose ideas as this resolution will be cleaned up later.

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It might be that people do not realize you can communicate through the sight like this because they are so used to e-mail and texting. You may want to explain this feature in the customer service section.

I ran the program this morning and it did not take long before the motors stopped. While operating the voltages for all three motors was 46 volts, when the motors stalled (and again there was a high pitch hum) the voltage went up to 60 volts and the fan on the power supply was operating.

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So, the driver work individually, but not all together. There is a high pitch sound when the motors fail. You have noted 60 volts from the power supply and the supply fan remains on. This is a difficult issue to resolve, but it seems to me that your power supply may be bad. The 60v measurement tells me that the current dropped and ohms law tells us that is current drops, volts will rise if the resistance stays the same.

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As one last test I am going to test each driver again and let them go through the entire program because it seems that the failure can occur at the beginning or towards the end of the program. When I originally tested ach driver I let them run for about a half an hour and the program takes over an hour to run completely. I just want to make sure that it is not the drivers. I will report back when I finished but as you noted it may be the power supply but I want to make sure.

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That’s a great idea.

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I just ran the x-axis through the whole program and there was no problem especially since I have two NEMA 23 motors moving that axis. Before I check the Y and Z could having a NEMA 34 on the Z axis with appropriate controller be a problem. I used the larger motor on the z axis because the router I am using is a large 1 1/2 hp. I've run this program in the past with this set-up and have not had a problem.

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Having a, say 3.0 amp driver, driving a stepper motor that typically requires a 6 amp driver would not seem to be an issue since the driver is limiting the current draw, but the driver may not be able to handle larger coil and back EMF with the protection on the 3.0 amp driver. With that said, I don’t believe that is the issue in this case.

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I don't either because I was able to run this and other complicated programs with this set-up in the past. I will let you know on the y and z axis.

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Thanks

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I ran the Y axis and z axis separately through the entire program and there was no stopping or problem. I guess the culprit is the power supply and I'll order a new one and hope that resolves the problem.

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Yes, that is the most probable cause. Please keep me informed. Thanks!

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Received and installed the new power supply. I ran the program with the router on and it worked flawlessly. The program runs for an hour and a half and I did not have a single problem. I guess it was the power supply but I was glad to go through all the diagnostics we discussed before replacing it. I hope this power supply lasts a lot longer than the last one. Thanks much for hanging in there with me and coming up with the solution.

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It’s my absolute pleasure and I am so happy to hear that the power supply replacement solved the problem.

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Y axis stop working X & Z work fine Y axis has two motors have check wiring & connections new breakout board still the same port & Pin set OK dont no were to go next David

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my cnc plasma cutter will run out the program when cutting. what is the cause?

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The cnc plasma question shod be a separate question. Can you pise that question by clicking the customer service live menu button at the top? Thanks.

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WHAT CAUSES ONE OF MY TWO AXIS MOTORS TO STOP WHILE THE MACH3 PROGRAM IS STILL RUNNING

Yes the greenBull, is capable of that operation, which we also use one for our production line, which conducts all the manufacturing of our machines that we sell.

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Is the Greenbull5X capable of being used for shop production work on a daily basis

Yes, the greenLean can cut metals such as aluminum and brass. The gantry and Y carriage was designed to be rigid enough to handle these types of metals. The typical metal cutting techniques should be used, such as high feedrates to reduce heat buildup at the end mill, or the use of cutting fluids or cold air used at the end mill as is necessary with most machines that cut similar metals. This is necessary since the aluminum has a rather low melting point and can clog the end mill.

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All of our machines are capable of cutting many metals, including steel and aluminum as long as the proper CNC machining operations are used like light fast passes, and if desired, using air cooling for better performance.

Here is a video of one of our customer demonstrating aluminum cutting using air to cool the end mill.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/tutorials/tutorial-milling-cutting-metal-blacktoe-mark-gottschalk

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how do I hold down material on a greenlean

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Is the Greenlean capable of cutting soft metals like aluminum or brass? Thanks

When you power up your VFD, you can go into the programming mode by pressing the program button. You can press the up and down arrows to move through the parameters. Press the set button to go into the parameter to see the value of that parameter. If you want to make changes to that parameter, change the value with the up and down arrows until the desired value is shown, and press the set button to accept the changes.

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I AM HAVING TROUBLES FINDING THE PD PROGRAM, HAVE BUT IT DOESN'T SHOW EVERYTHING NEED TO PROGRAM MY VFD. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED...

There really isn't a program to directly convert a dxf (drawing exchange) file to gcode instructions.

Gcode is a set of instruction on how to cut geometric features which has numerous parameters for control.

A dxf file is simple geometry and does not contain enough information to properly control a machine.

For instance, take a circle that may be in the dxf. You may want to cut on the inside of the circle, or the outside of the circle. The cutting would need to be half the diameter of the end mill from the geometry so the edge of the end mill cuts along the line. There is also the speed to cut the geometry, how deep to cut the geometry, etc. This information does not exist in the dxf file.

A CAM program, like CAMBAM, Cut2D or other Vectric software, MechCAM, etc that allows you to apply machining operation to the dxf geometry. These machining operations are what is converted into Gcode.

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What is the best program to use for converting a .DXF file to a G-Code file to use with Mach4. Mach4 will be used with a drill table.

Identify the Control Signals: First, determine which control signals from the DB25 interface card are used for spindle speed control. Typically, these are PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals or analog voltage signals.

VFD Configuration: Your VFD should be configured to accept the type of control signal your DB25 card provides. This involves setting parameters in the VFD that correspond to the type of input signal it will receive for speed control.

Wiring: Connect the appropriate output pins from the DB25 card to the input terminals on the VFD. This usually involves connecting the PWM or analog output to the corresponding input on the VFD. Make sure to consult the manuals for both your VFD and interface card for specific wiring details.

UCCNC Settings: Configure UCCNC to output the correct type of signal (PWM or analog) that matches your VFD's configuration. This is done through the software's spindle setup section.

Test and Adjust: Run some tests to ensure that the spindle speed is being correctly controlled by UCCNC. You might need to tweak settings in either the VFD or UCCNC for optimal performance.

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HEY ! I HAVE PURCHASED A VFD WITH MATCHING SPINDLE 1.5KW AND CONTROL PROGRAM UCCNC. MY INTERFACE CARD IS DB25, THE QUESTION HOW DO CONNECT TO DB25 SO THAT CAN SPEED UCCNC? SINCERELY "CNC BEGINNERS"

Please explain what the number 500 is? Thanks

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ReplicatorG says my white ant extruder is at 500 or more. I've replaced the electronics on the printer but that hasn't fixed it what else can I do?

You can determine if the area is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

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WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT SHIP ANY OF YOUR KIT PRODUCTS TO THE UK?

ACIP's influenza recommendations for children age 6 months through 8 years have changed for the 2011–12 season. According to the new algorithm, certain children need 2 doses of influenza vaccine this influenza season, separated by at least 4 weeks. Here is a summary:

• Children age 6 months through 8 years who did not receive AT LEAST 1 dose of the 2010–11 vaccine should receive 2 doses, separated by at least 4 weeks, REGARDLESS of their previous influenza vaccination history.
• Children age 6 months through 8 years whose influenza vaccination status from the previous season is not known should also receive 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.
• Children age 6 months through 8 years who received 1 dose of seasonal influenza vaccine during the 2010–11 season need ONLY 1 dose this season. This is because the vaccine strains are the same this season as last season.

You may find this Immunization Action Coalition handout helpful: www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3093.pdf.

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WHICH OF OUR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WILL NEED 2 DOSES INFLUENZA VACCINE FOR THE 2011–12 VACCINATION SEASON?

a motor stop working and get very hot

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I'm using Vectric's Aspire for design on my ShopBot. Do you know which output format I need to generate for the LeanGreen?

The Indian Ocean is to the east of Africa.

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WHICH OCEAN TO THE EAST OF AFRICA?

Your purchase of a laptop will depend on what CNC software and CNC interface you will be using. In most cases, CNC interfaces use a parallel port, or the interface will convert USB instructions into a form of parallel I/O pins. We provide both types of interfaces, but you will be required to use specific software packages compatible with the interface. The USB interface that we sell at the moment is only compatible with Planet-CNC software (which is very good software), and if the computer has a parallel port, you will have your choice of many software titles including (but not limited to) Mach3 and LinuxCNC.

The hardware and processing performance is not as important. Computers with relatively slow processors (i.e. Pentium) can control a CNC machine and achieve good performance.

If you intend using CAD and CAM on that computer, then you will want a more modern computer that will have a good amount of memory and processing power. You will need to refer to the software requirements for the minimum specifications.

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Going to purchase a new laptop computer. Question. What is the minimal requirement for laptops running cnc planet software and other softwares that are needed?

Roller chain in general is adjustable by using "master links", which are links which have horseshoe clip holding the pin and thus allow connections to be made or broken. The #25 is a designation of the type of roller chain. ANSI codes designate that the first digit(s) specify the pitch in eights of an inch, and the last digit is 0 for standard chain, 1 for lightweight chain, and 5 for bushed chain with no rollers. So #25 is 2/8 = 1/4 inch pitch bushed chain with no rollers.

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IS THE "#25 ROLLER CHAIN" ADJUSTABLE TO ANY LENGTH? LIKE IF I ORDERED TEN FEET OF IT, CAN MAKE TWO 3-FOOT LOOPS AND ONE 4-FOOT LOOP USING SOME SORT CHAIN JOINER?

Beethoven became deaf near the end of his life.

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How many strings does a bass guitar usually have

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WHICH CLASSICAL COMPOSER BECAME DEAF NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE?

It's probably better to use an FPGA or a microcontroller that is clocked (provided by a crystal oscillator) fast enough to simultaneously output pulse trains for the number of axes you intent to drive on the CNC and to provide for other processor operations, like spindle control, processing inputs from the machine and other outputs you may have (mist, coolant, etc.).

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Hi,
Thanks for the information.
Some CNC controllers having both FPGA & DSP. Is there any advantages? What is the role of DSP in this case?

regards,
Naveen

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Which controller(DSP or FPGA or other) is best for CNC machine for G code interpreter operations?

Check step 9 on this page: http://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

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IF YOU HAVE CIRCUIT (OR PICTURE) OF HOW THIS RELAY IS CONNECTED TO THE ROUTER

If you were to buy all of that, only thing you'll need is the mach3 software to run the machine.

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I am interested in purchasing the Green Lean complete kit and also buy the ArtCamPro what other software will I need to up and running?

You can use one of the terminals on the input side of the breakout board to connect the e-stop switch.

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WHICH WIRES ARE CONNECTED TO THE EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON

If you select the Settings Page and select or tick Auto Limit Override - this will allow you to back off the switch.

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limit and home switch

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IS THERE A WAY TO GET RID OF THE PARALLEL CABLE AND SOMEHOW USE USB ?