I’m very happy with my Pro 5, but Motion continues to frustrate me.
One area is the Red Stop button. It’s seems to have multiple context specific functions which are unreliable.
When a program is running, pressing the Stop button stops the spindle in place and sends the machine back to an uninitialized state.
When a program isn’t running it generates a popup asking if you’d like to park and shutdown the machine. This retracts Z and sends the machine to its origin.
The problem is in both contexts at least half al the time, Motion crashes. It stops responding and needs the USB cable removed and reconnected to connect to cutter recognize the machine again. This happens on multiple PC’s with either 649 or 651.
What I would like to know…
What commands are actually sent to GRBL in each context?
Are we supposed to press the Red Stop button when we want to shutdown? Or is it okay to just use the physical power buttons?
I have the built in computer support mindset that pressing physical buttons cuts power abruptly so it should only be a last resort.
EDIT for clarity: I’m talking about the software Red Stop Button in Motion, and the physical power switches on the Controller and VFD, not the power pendant Red E-Stop button.
I consider the Red Stop button on the Power Pendant to be an emergency stop … I use it in the event that an emergency stop is needed, and not to physically turn off the machine. My Pro 5 controller is plugged into a nice surge protector strip/box and I use that button to power down the machine when done cutting for that session.
It would also be informative to find out what happens under the cover if the Pause button is pressed.
In a year of having the machine I have not yet pressed the Pause button … guess I should do a test to see exactly what happens. I have pressed the Emergency Stop button twice while in operation … both times they were unintentional. I had just before moved my mount location to the front of the work bench for better access (compared to where I originally had it) and twice while leaning towards the machine my big belly pressed in the button. The first time had me worried that the machine had lost power or broke (I never felt the button get pressed) and it took a while to discover that the button was pressed in, and the 2nd time I knew immediately what had happened. I need to either relocate the pendant again or trim my stomach. Probably will be easier to relocate the pendant.
I use the pause button “Feed Hold” all the time. Allows me to clear vacuum clogs, reposition clamps, ect. You just hit start again when you’re ready. As far as the E-Stop I always push it before I power down, when it comes time to use the machine, I will power up the control then reset the E-Stop so I can initialize the machine.
Thanks - I do use the software Pause button for cleanup breaks, or just anxious sanity checks lol. I was told by Support that the Red E-Stop button on the power pendant shouldn’t be used except for emergencies because its so abrupt. Like slamming on the brakes in a car repeatedly it can have a detrimental effect over time. I never tried the power pendant Pause button. I’ve also had the E-Stop trigger by accident. I had to bolt it down out of the way. Not something I can press Pause on conveniently while keeping eyes on the spindle.
