Blank screen on handheld controller

[cwc]

Greetings.  Yesterday I turned on my AR6 Pro V5 to bad karma.  The controller screen was lit up, but blank.  The machine is several years old and has been as reliable as a tank up until now.  Last used a week ago with no problem.

Checking the manual's trouble shooting guide, I've verified that all cables seem secure.

I've found a few postings on similar problems in various forums, but all said something like "Chad sent me...".  I've sent both phone and email requests to Axiom, but while waiting to hear back, wondering if anyone can help with a solution over the weekend.

This happened at a really bad time as I am teaching a CNC class through our local Community College and this was the CNC shop session day, so it failed in front of the students and now have to reschedule.

Thanks for any suggestions!
-Allan

[toddd]

Mar 25, 2023 10:12:45 GMT -5 cwc said:

Greetings.  Yesterday I turned on my AR6 Pro V5 to bad karma.  The controller screen was lit up, but blank.  The machine is several years old and has been as reliable as a tank up until now.  Last used a week ago with no problem.

Checking the manual's trouble shooting guide, I've verified that all cables seem secure.

I've found a few postings on similar problems in various forums, but all said something like "Chad sent me...".  I've sent both phone and email requests to Axiom, but while waiting to hear back, wondering if anyone can help with a solution over the weekend.

This happened at a really bad time as I am teaching a CNC class through our local Community College and this was the CNC shop session day, so it failed in front of the students and now have to reschedule.

Thanks for any suggestions!
-Allan

Sometimes the controller will loose its programming and not start up, it may be intermittent and will boot up if you keep trying. If it does start up you can be walked thru reinstalling the files by Axiom support. If it won't start at all you need to send it to Axiom to re flash the software, they do the turn around pretty fast but it does involve 2 way shipping.

[cwc]

Mar 25, 2023 10:42:16 GMT -5 toddd said:

Mar 25, 2023 10:12:45 GMT -5 cwc said:

Greetings.  Yesterday I turned on my AR6 Pro V5 to bad karma.  The controller screen was lit up, but blank.  The machine is several years old and has been as reliable as a tank up until now.  Last used a week ago with no problem.

Checking the manual's trouble shooting guide, I've verified that all cables seem secure.

I've found a few postings on similar problems in various forums, but all said something like "Chad sent me...".  I've sent both phone and email requests to Axiom, but while waiting to hear back, wondering if anyone can help with a solution over the weekend.

This happened at a really bad time as I am teaching a CNC class through our local Community College and this was the CNC shop session day, so it failed in front of the students and now have to reschedule.

Thanks for any suggestions!
-Allan

Sometimes the controller will loose its programming and not start up, it may be intermittent and will boot up if you keep trying. If it does start up you can be walked thru reinstalling the files by Axiom support. If it won't start at all you need to send it to Axiom to re flash the software, they do the turn around pretty fast but it does involve 2 way shipping.

Thanks, Toddd.  I tried power-cycling (even unplugging for a while) about 5 times, I'll go try a few more.  
-Allan

[cwc]

Mar 25, 2023 11:13:32 GMT -5 cwc said:

Mar 25, 2023 10:42:16 GMT -5 toddd said:

Sometimes the controller will loose its programming and not start up, it may be intermittent and will boot up if you keep trying. If it does start up you can be walked thru reinstalling the files by Axiom support. If it won't start at all you need to send it to Axiom to re flash the software, they do the turn around pretty fast but it does involve 2 way shipping.

Thanks, Toddd.  I tried power-cycling (even unplugging for a while) about 5 times, I'll go try a few more.  
-Allan

Thanks!  I went back to the shop, turned on and off the power switch 7 more times and the controller awakens!  And I can home the machine.  I don't want to do more til it's fixed.  I've left it powered up, hoping to hear from Axiom by early Monday.
-Allan

[toddd]

When you get a response be prepared to receive an emailed file or download link then put that on your usb stick and they will help you navigate to re flashing your controller,

[patrick]

In my case, Axiom support said the internal capacitor was dead and I needed to send it in.
To avoid this, I was told you have to turn on your CNC every couple of weeks.

Fix cost about $50 with shipping.

[joeblow]

Thanks for posting this. I have often suspected this could happen. I think it is good practice to at least start your machine, manually move your gantry in all axis and manually run your spindle via the HHC once a week during down times.