Hello Everyone, I’ve been trouble shooting this issue for a few days now and I cannot seem to find a resolution. I have just received and setup the XXL machine and when I try to run the initialization the Z axis stutters up and down quite loudly and I receive the below error message.
I have tried the following actions without success.
verified limit switches were wired correctly
verified that blue light comes on, on the controller board for each switch when manually pressed
disconnected the motor and limit switch wires from the control board and verified they were in the correct location. (according to board labels and wire labels)
re-sent calibration information using carbide motion
verified Z axis plate is installed correctly (stationary pulley on the left)
Verified that the pully set screw is in contact with the flat keyed area of the pulley.
set correct tension on the tension wheels
set correct tension for z axis belt.
I have captured a log of the activity although I have no idea how to read it. I have also taken a short video of the problem. Not sure if I can upload videos to this forum though as I am brand new.
Any help is greatly appreciated, I’ve been looking forward to using my new Shapeoko!
It will make contact if I manually move it to the top. When the initialization is running the carriage moves up and down about 5 to 10 mm repeatedly and then throws the error message.
The movement is not impeded by anything as far as I can tell. I can move the carriage manually with very little effort to the top of the z axis.
Please check that the switches are plugged in correctly, and work properly — when the machine powers up the homing indicator lights should flicker on/off, then once the controller is booted up you can test the switches by pressing them — the matching light should light while the switch is pressed (closed), and should go off when the switch is released (open).
Please make sure that the machine can mechanically close the appropriate homing switch on an axis before reaching the limit of travel along that axis — if it can’t, it should be possible to adjust a problematic switch’s placement by loosening the hardware in question, pulling it into a better alignment and then tightening it. The machine being out of square can also affect this, squaring up the machine, or more expediently, securing a small block or plate for the homing switches to contact may be necessary.
Thank you for the reply Will, I have validated that all switches make good contact when manually moving the carriages. I have also confirmed that the corresponding lights on the control board light up when I press the switches manually. I have double checked that the connections are in the correct place on the control board as well.
I have been through the troubleshooting guide for the switches already, everything that it covers seems to be in order on my machine. I haven’t seen the Carbide 3D Answer video yet so I will give it a try.
Hi Neil, do you mean loose wires at the switches or at the control board? I have reconnected the wires at the control board to ensure they are seated properly and in the correct positions. I also previously checked the set screw, however the hex keys provided didn’t seem to quite fit the screw very well and I couldn’t tighten it any more than it already was.
I have checked the set screw and it is tight and on the flat section of the pulley wheel. The motor wires are attached to the correct places on the board.
I just turned the machine on again and there was a continuous motor hum. I had to unplug the machine to get it to stop.
Power down and check that whole Z motor wire harness. If I remember correctly, there is a connection that occurs in the drag chain…check there for sure.
I don’t see any wire connections within the drag chain on the x or y axis.
I noticed another thing after the last test, there were two lights blinking on the control board. I assume they represent an error status of some kind. They are located beside the blue light that remains on when you power on the unit.