Will not move!

[russ.griffith]

Over the past couple of weeks I have had several occassions where I can not move the cmm in the x, y, or z directions. Sometimes I can move it z positive but not z negative, but will move both directions in the x & y, other times it will only move in one direction on one axis. The scenarios vary and have no pattern. If I shut down the control box & reboot everything is back to normal. Any ideas on this?

P.S. I've already checked the joystick and made sure that the axis were not locked.

Micro Xcel 9.15.9

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Sounds like it might be 'losing' it's home position, either in 1, 2, or 3 axis. I would think it would pop-up an error, but maybe not, depending on your controller. I have seen machines that will only allow you to move 'towards' home position (Z+ not Z-, X- not X+, etc.) until the controller has been homed, they will not allow you to move away from 'where it wants to go'.

[craiger_ny]

WMS also if you have a bad probe or module that has trouble seating then it may allow you to retract but not advance. Watch the red light thingy. Sounds puzzling though. If you figure it out post an answer, curious minds wnat to know.

Craig

[Don Ruggieri]

Check your probe

If the probe is unseated, it will often cause this behavior.

If you hit the part with the probe in Z-, the controller only wants to retract in Z+, no other direction is allowed. So, if the probe is triggered (didn't properly re-seat, etc.) even in space, it will still only allow movement in the opposite direction of where it thinks it triggered. Is the red LED lit on the probe when this happens??

[J. Pick]

Russ-
Is the red light on when it refuses to move? If not, give the probe a little jiggle and see if it comes back on. If so, take it from there to get it repaired.

[Quality4you2]

Try cleaning the filters in the main control box
I had the problem of erratic movment found out the boards were heating up
not enough air flow filters were plugged cleaned them and now
things work great

[russ.griffith]

Unfortunately the red light went out last month, plan to fix it next month when B&S is down to move the cmm. I'm looking into it right now. I'll post if I figure it out.

[russ.griffith]

Thanks guys you put me on the right path. It happened again, so I removed the TP20 module and put it back on & I had movement. Checked everything, cleaned the magnets, etc. etc. Started measuring and it happened again. Changed modules and its running like a top . This also explains why it only happens every now & then. I have several modules for my common tips, this module is one that I use when I have to build a new one. It is only used once or twice a week. And now that I think about it every time it has happened I have had been using that module.
So I believe the module could be bad.
So again thanks for your help guys.
Russ

[Maqboul]

Try cleaning the filters in the main control box
I had the problem of erratic movment found out the boards were heating up not enough air flow filters were plugged cleaned them and now things work great

Especially for TutorP controller....
Maq