More Problems with Chinese 6040

[Rye]

Hey all,

Not so long ago my 6040 developed a screeching noise on its Y axis. After a little tinkering, the problem seemed to have cleared up. Been cutting fine since. However, a couple of days ago my machine stopped while cutting. The SMC4-4-16A16B control unit (I don't use Mach 3 but it has similar setup and control features) prompted me to 'reset'. From there on every time I moved the Y axis, the machine stopped and prompted me to reset again. Switched everything off and slowly moved the X and Y by hand for a while and, after doing this a few times, the machine started cutting again when I switched on; successfully finishing the job.

Started cutting today and it seems my Y axis is now losing steps. I tried cutting a circle and it was misshaped. The Y has also started shunting and pausing a little when it first starts moving.

I've switched the stepper motor around and the problem persists on the Y.

Advice appreciated. Thanks,

Sean

[komatias]

Losing steps will occur due to mechanical issue, electrical issue or both.
From what you describe, I would have a look at the cables inside the box with the drives of your 6040. There is no feedback between the motors and your controllers so the triping is caused by either cables being loose in sockets or generally bad cable installation.
Have you swapped all the cables with good shielded ones and made ground star point? Have a look at the couplers between the motors and the screws, under vibration they can come loose and slip.


By the way, that little controller looks cute from what I saw on youtube.

[Rye]

Thanks for the reply Komatias. The couplers are nice and tight, so they're not slipping. Though it does need re-wiring. So I'm probably best starting there. Can you recommend a good supplier for the cabling - and maybe someone in the Sheffield region who could sort it if it's too bigger job for me?

And yes, I love that little controller. Really easy to operate: set the start point, load the code from SDcard and hit run. I really should go the Mach 3 route though :)

[Rye]

Instead of just attempting a re-wire, I'm thinking I'm best putting together a new box entirely with better parts. Would a Gecko G540 be sufficient or overkill. Also, would it be best to replace my current stepper motors (57 two-phase 3A 150N.cm) for something a little better. And if so, what? I'm not interested in crazy fast cutting speeds. Just need to be able to cut wood, acrylic, ACM and aluminium reasonably well with the 6040 frame(until I can get something better built.) I also want to keep using the SMC4-4-16A16B - and maybe add some sort of switch to an external parallel to connect to a PC if need be. What would you recommend?

[komatias]

Rye,

Unless you get a used G540 in the UK then it will be cheaper to get individual drives and a breakout board. I like my g540 and have used it on my 3040 cnc ever since I found that the original drive sucked.

What you refer to as an external parallel port is in fact called a motion controller. These do a bit more than just replicate the parallel port. Whichever brand you do go for, we generally agree that the ethernet type is more reliable.

As for the motors, don't bother, with the right drives they will do just fine.

[Rye]

Hi Komatias. Yes. That's what I meant. Be good to have the option to use the SMC or to connect to a PC via a motion controller. After having a chat with Jazz though, I'm not going to bother with a new box. I'll just try get it working again without spending much and save for a more robust machine. Be best in the long-run. Cheers for the help and reply though. It's appreciated mate. Thanks.