Torchmate 2 x 4 issue

[Larry Cameron]

Hey folks, I have a 2 x 4 Torchmate with a AVHC and Powermax 45 (all 5 years old) and have a had this situation happen 3 times in the last week.
While jogging the machine to a start point on the sheet of steel.
The machine - motors hesitate for a half second while moving toward my start point then just carry on, no clicking stop , hold, pausing, using controller disconnect nothing will stop the machine from running to the end of the y axis and hitting the hard stops.

The only way to stop it was to flick off the signal generator.
Can anyone assist.

Larry Cameron
Rusticmetalart.

 

[El Jefe]

Larry, Hit up Daniel in the am, or I will ask him to reply here tomorrow.

 

[Larry Cameron]

Larry, Hit up Daniel in the am, or I will ask him to reply here tomorrow.

Hmm can you hit him, I am not sure where to find him

Thanks

Larry Cameron
Rusticmetalart

 

[LECS-Daniel]

Hello Larry. This can be related to a few different issues. This can either be mechanical, configuration, or even software version. Which software version are you using? You can find this info by going to Help->About Torchmate. You can also double check your ramping rates for each axis by going to Configuration->Machine->Feedrate/Ramping. For a Growth Series machine the Start/Stop feedrate should be set to 35.00. Last, you can check the mechanical assembly of the gantry to the rails. I usually try to look for any V'ing that is occurring as the gantry travels down the rails. Does this issue occur in the same place each time or does it happen every time you start a cut file regardless of location? Please let me know when you can. You can also email me directly here dstewart@torchmate.com.

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

What you are describing sounds like the gantry is running away and you are losing communication to the controller not being able to stop it. A couple things we can try, most importantly make sure you are not using a USB hub. What you can try in the software is taking it off of Express Mode under Configuration > System > Controller then change the USB mode to Full Speed found under Communications.

 

[Larry Cameron]

Hi, ok I am not using a USB Hub, straight to the laptop.
I will try Full Speed Mode.
Thanks, I will keep you posted.

Larry Cameron
Rusticmetalart.

 

[Larry Cameron]

Hi again. A pop up comes up that doesn't allow me to change to full speed. It initially says "Hi Speed" you change to Full Speed. Then the pop up comes up. Pic attached. Any suggestions.

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

Yes you will get that while you are in Express Mode, uncheck this "Quote" ... software is taking it off of Express Mode under Configuration > System > Controller "/End Quote"

 

[Larry Cameron]

Oh, I see now ok I shall try that. Thanks

Larry Cameron
Rusticmetalart

 

[Larry Cameron]

So far so good. thanks.
1 more question, I had to update my laptop in the shed for running the driver software and I see a large STOP on the downloading page at Torchmate, due to being able to screw up the signal generator with different versions.
I have Torchmate 4.0.6.1, which driver do I download for my signal generator please?

Cheers

Larry Cameron
Rusticmetalart

 

[LECS-Chad]

Use the 4.061. The 4.5 causes a fireware update that might brick your sig gen if it isnt compatable. Hence the big STOP sign on the website.

 

[Dnmeistr-LECS]

You can also go to Help then About Torchmate and look at your build date and compare this date to the date on the download links for Version 4.

 

[Gamble]

Sounds to me like 1 of 2 things could be happening. My guess is the anti back lash nuts are starting to wear
The other thing I would do if you don't have accumove is open up the control box and on each card there is a pot. Turn them all counter clockwise until they stop. They are 2.5amp cards but torchmate configured them to 1.7amps. Turn them all the way up. Keep the motors from stalling if you try to move them too fast

 

[Larry Cameron]

Use the 4.061. The 4.5 causes a fireware update that might brick your sig gen if it isnt compatable. Hence the big STOP sign on the website.

Ok thanks, just as a side note. It has had one firmware update since I bought it back in April 2011 which added a few new features like being able to backtrack but I haven't paid for the extra option to use it. So does this affect anything?

Larry Cameron

 

[LECS-Chad]

No that wouldnt effect anything.