Carbide Motion unable to connect to SO3 XXL

CNC Machines Shapeoko
1

I finally completed the upgrade of my SO3 XXL from the belt drive Z axis to the new HDZ with a 65 mm spindle. After much frustration with the upgrade process, I also had to purchase a new PCB to support the VFD controller.

I am now having an issue in which CM 640 will not detect the machine after completing the upgrade. I thought there might a problem with the USB cable from the laptop so I tried a different one. Suddenly it CM recognized the machine and allowed me to connect to it long enough to flash the new PCB with the machine configuration. I was able to initialize the machine and jog the spindle around to check all of my cable clearances.

I stopped the machine to make some adjustments and reroute the VFD cable. I turned the machine back on and now it will not connect to the cutter again. If I turn off the SO3 power and then turn it back on, I hear the thump of the power being applied and I hear the chime on the laptop recognizing the USB connection. However, when I start CM it shows that a machine is not found.

Do I need to uninstall CM and reinstall it again with the new configuration?

Any other ideas why CM cannot detect the machine?

Kind Regards,
Bryan M.

2

The controller has a 12 month warranty, so if the obvious things don’t check out (reboot, check for updates, shutdown, restart, try again, try a different computer) let us know at support@carbide3d.com and we’ll work out how to handle this.

3

I have found that if I power cycle my SO3 XXL but do not unplug the USB cable as well, it will not fully reset sometimes.

Not sure if you tried turning it off and unplugging the USB cable at the same time for a few seconds, but give it a shot if you haven’t.

I actually bought a USB hub that has power buttons for each USB outlet just so I don’t have to actually unplug cables.

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4

If you get a replacement control board, make sure your SO3 (and VFD) are powered OFF before connecting the VFD control cable. Read and heed this:

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5

Hi Steve,
Which controller are you referring to as being damaged?
VFD or the PCB?

How did you figure out it was damage?

Did you get the same symptoms with the USB?

Thanks,
Bryan M.

6

My comment was in regards to the PCB/Controller on the SO3 (not the VFD). I’m just piggybacking on @WillAdams post that mentions that the PCB/Controller that you bought for your SO3 has a warranty. I wanted to point out that “IF” you get the SO3 PCB/Controller replaced, make sure it is powered OFF before you connect anything to it, as it has been documented that you can kill it if it is powered up when you connect the VFD cable to it…

7

Thank you for the clarification Steve.

I have sent a detailed email to support explaining everything that I have done to troubleshoot the problem.

Hopefully they can offer other suggestions or provide a solution.