AR8 Pro V5 Y-Axis has mind of its own

[cmatherne]

Not sure how to start this post. I am going back and forth with Chad right now to determine next steps but thought I'd throw the issue out to the group and see if there are other thoughts on possible fixes. I've had my Axiom AR8 since March 2021. For the 1st few weeks limited runs I had no issues but was still learning Vectric. Once I started to do more projects (3-4 per week) I began to notice these issues.

• Y-axis decides to not follow the programed path cutting into material where it should not. It is as if the Y-axis flips directions during cut and is only able to travel in one direction
• Sometimes during homing procedure the Y-axis will travel to the upper left (Y+) had corner of the bed versus lower left. At one point the Y-axis traveled in the Y+direction and did not stop when it arrived at the end of table. This caused the coupler inserts (little red pieces) to be damaged and Chad sent me the replacement coupler. No issues replacing it
• Swapping the X-axis and Y-axis internal connections still resulted in machine having the same issues

Some days I can run 3-4 projects without issue. Other days I can cut the same CRV file 10 times without issue but the 11th time Y-axis goes crazy. I explained to Chad and he had me investigate several issues. I have checked all internal connection, swapped wires in control box, swapped the C-axis controller motors and green plugs wire attach to for the Y-axis. Voltage appears to be within limits everywhere I was told to test. I've flipped the data connector between RichAuto controller and control box and nothing changes. 

None of my projects are intensive on machine. I primarily cut 6" round holes into .5-.75" plywood using a 1/4" end mill bit with 5-8 passes depending on board thickness. My longest runs usually last about 60-90 minutes. 

Overall I am really frustrated and confused. 

Any ideas or other info I can provide to help with this? I've added a couple phots showing start home and after project home. Also added a video I think even confused Chad as it shows Y-axis controller value decreasing as cut travels upward. I ran the same CRV previous to this and it cut perfectly.

Again I am working with Chad but wanted to see if there are other ideas out there before shipping back the brains for testing. 

Thanks
Chris

Attachments:

IMG_3422.mov (4.92 MB)

[mnwoodbee]

Definitely goofy, is this stepper motors? my AR 16 hasn’t been working for months. Very long process to resolve. My y axis was rapidly jerking back and forth like it couldn’t decide.

[Bob]

Chris,
Often the solution is easier than expected.
Look under the table while jogging the Y axis the full distance.
Is anything blocking the ball screw?
There is a cable carrier under there and it's possible to have it hang up on something on the return to home. Possibly on the cross brace.
Is everything lubricated and clean.
Any tools or anything else in the way.
Bob

[cmatherne]

Hi Bob.

Thank you for the suggestions. There is nothing blocking the Y-axis as it jogs back and forth. Lubrication and wipe down is done after each day machine is in use. The issue is totally random. It can occur while going home or while cutting project.

I have a grounded dust collector and even stopped it sue to determine if it was causing interference. Issue still occurred randomly.

[bentley]

Sounds like it may be the controller board. Better get on their case for a replacement otherwise it’ll be on your dime.

[cmatherne]

Thanks for advice Bentley. I reached out to Chad and support a few times since Monday but have not yet heard back. I'm sure I'll get in touch with them soon to get this sorted out.

[pineview]

SO I have received my AR16 machine, ran 1 file did great then thought I would run the Spoil Board surfacing file for the AR 16 E165SFC.mmg (48" x 48") after I selected ok to begin tool path I receive an error
X+ out of soft limit, Y+ out of soft limit. Then I cannot do anything else. I had reset the home to the lower left corner several times and nothing changes still gets same error.

[Bob]

Jan 27, 2022 11:54:02 GMT -5 cmatherne said:

Thanks for advice Bentley. I reached out to Chad and support a few times since Monday but have not yet heard back. I'm sure I'll get in touch with them soon to get this sorted out.

Chris,
I'm curious about a resolution for your issue. Have you found a solution yet?
Bob

[Bob]

Jan 28, 2022 19:05:58 GMT -5 pineview said:

SO I have received my AR16 machine, ran 1 file did great then thought I would run the Spoil Board surfacing file for the AR 16 E165SFC.mmg (48" x 48") after I selected ok to begin tool path I receive an error
X+ out of soft limit, Y+ out of soft limit. Then I cannot do anything else. I had reset the home to the lower left corner several times and nothing changes still gets same error.

Even though your home is defined, your job origin is probably located where the limits of the machine prevent the job from starting. Be sure to center your toolpaths between the travel limits of your machine.
Bob

[cmatherne]

Just thought I'd provide everyone an update. Chad reached out last week but I've been traveling for work and not yet replied. He gave me the same steps I'd received before. I clipped all the wires going from the RichAuto controller to the motor. Recut them so fresh wire was showing and reconnected. I had about 3-4 great days of cutting but the same issues began to come back. At this point I've retired the machine to a corner of the garage.

[cmatherne]

Thought I would post an update to this problem. It turns out the y-axis stepper motor and molex connector were not playing well together. The male molex connector end was not quite seating correctly into the female connector. This was creating an arc during operation and slowly over time created enough arc to show some minor damage. Once the visible damage presented itself I reached out to Chad and came up with a fix. 1 new stepper motor and molex connector later and I am going full speed again.