Hi Neale, thanks - I’ll try downgrading to v 062 or earlier and see how it goes I think. It all seems a bit random, although the ePID errors seem to come after a tool change, which is consistent with the forum posts I linked to earlier. I wonder if this also helps to explain the error I mentioned a few posts back, where (generally) the Z axis, (although a couple of times the Y too) will not move, but the DROs keep moving on Mach3, as if it is. I thought I had solved this by reinstalling Mach3, but it has happened a couple of times again since.

This evening I was cutting a test for a hangboard (a climbing training tool I want to make) - I had cut some pockets and a profile fine, changed the tool from a 1/2” router bit to a roundover bit, all fine, next changed to a v bit for some engraving, again worked ok, finally I changed the tool to a drill for the last operation on the job. It spins up fine and moves X and Y but does not move Z at all. On Mach everything is as it should be; it looks from the DROs like Z is moving according to the G code - it completes what it thinks is the job and stops the spindle. I tried jogging; X and Y are fine but I have the same issue with Z. I try ‘ref all home’. Again, Z doesn’t move but the DRO just keeps on and on until I press stop. So I open up the electronics cabinet to take a look at the drives, and the Z drive’s red LED is flashing 5 times every 5 seconds. According to the Leadshine manual (http://www.leadshine.com/UploadFile/Down/AM882m.pdf) under “12. Protection Functions” on page 13, this indicates “Sensorless Stall Protection - The AM882 can detect the motor stall status using if motor shaft speed is above 300RPM. When the detection is active, RED LED will blink five times within each periodic time (5s).” But the motor shaft never even turned! It only ever moved on the DRO on Mach, not in reality. So it doesn’t seem to fit the error code on the drive?! When I turned the cabinet off and on again to reset the drives, Z was back up and running and would jog about fine. Seems to be a similar issue to the ePID error though, which I think is also to do with Mach asking the motors to spin too fast.

This forum thread (https://www.machsupport.com/forum/in...?topic=29032.0) suggests going back to version 03.043.022 of Mach3 and not to use your old .XML file, which sounds a bit of pain TBO. It suggests the issue is connected to the CSLabs controller in relation to later versions of Mach3. Also mentions noise issues connected with usb keyboard which Jazz has mentioned before too. The CSLabs is-m manual also recommend using a PS2 keyboard (which I don’t have these days and I’m not sure the pc I’m using has the port for either!)

I’m going to try installing an earlier version of Mach on an old laptop I think, and try that... if it works I’ll set up the machine PC again with an older version of Mach and a new keyboard! Unless anyone has had a similar experience and can shed some more light..?

Those of you running an IP-M, what version of Mach are you using??