Machine consistently pausing briefly, after 15-20min in to a job?

[charlieuk]

I have been using my machine prity successfully for over a year now however it has slowly seamed to have developed what I call a brain fart. It seams fairly consistent normally within about 15-20min after running a cut the machine will suddenly stop all x y and z movement for a second and then carry on going, I think it's only ever happened once per use of the machine. It has done it a good number of times now without causing any problems so kinda ignored it until yesterday when it messed a pice of work up. I'm just trying to figure out what could cause it? Could it be static or something? Everything was earthed when I built it.

[magicniner]

When you say it stops then carries on you don't say if code continued to run and moves were lost or if the code stopped running?
Assuming the code didn't stop running then your problem could be a PSU which isn't coping any more and is cutting out briefly with thermal overload, but don't assume and don't guess, test it under load with a meter.

P.S. never ignore un-programmed behaviour in a CNC system, if it's doing something other than exactly what it's instructed to do then something is broken and needs fixing!

[JAZZCNC]

Sounds very much like PC related rather than machine. Make sure everything like Updates, Screen savers, Energy saving etc is turned off.
Have you installed any software lately that's trying to phone home.?

It's more likely be something silly like this than PSU going down but like been said could be anything so don't trust it and find it before using again.

[JAZZCNC]

Lucan07 your wrong about mach3 not needing much graphics power. Infact it's one of the main reasons people have trouble with mach3 when using PP or lower spec PC's. Just clicking in toolpath screen would lock mach up on some PC's with poor or low graphics. This Big area where mach4 as improved.
While External controllers do take lot of the work load off Mach3 it can and does still happen with them. Even the Cslabs do it albeit to much lesser degree.

Charlie While I think it's more PC related just for precautions sake I'd go over the wiring and check for lose connections or any nipped cables etc.

[lucan07]

Lucan07 your wrong about mach3 not needing much graphics power

Not what I said read post it does not need 32bit or High Res option to be pretty if your short on resources.

[JAZZCNC]

Not what I said read post it does not need 32bit or High Res option to be pretty if your short on resources.

Sorry it read like you ment M3 didn't need Graphics power which it really does but on reading again I see what you meant.! . . . My apology.

[A_Camera]

I think it is your PC locking suddenly up the computer. Perhaps it is trying to get some automatic updates or something similar. Perhaps your PC is simply "tired" and needs a clean installation. Describe how your installation looks like. May be easier to analyze the issue. Are you using the PC for something else at the same time?

I don't think it is static or earthing problem. That should generate a total stop not just a short pause. Sounds like the PC is busy with something else.

[magicniner]

That's a good point but his PC shouldn't have internet access, at least whilst running CNC and should have updates turned off, if it has anti-virus this should be stopped whilst running CNC.
If something grabs enough resources to stop Mach3 running it throws an error, stops and requires reset, don't ask how I know! ;-)

[charlieuk]

I don't have the PC connected to the Internet at all the only thing I use it for is the cnc. I had the virus scanner problem at the start so that should be still off. The only link to any other computers is via loading g code through a memory stick. The fault does not creat a e stop just ether a very sudden stop which I notice mostly on the X axis as I run it quite fast which I worrey about it loosing position as its on a rack and pinion or it pauses for a second and then carries on

[phill05]

Check you have adequate cooling to your driver cards, I had a similar problem adding a 2nd cooling fan sorted it.
Check your computer cooling fan is working too.

Phill