I am running my CNC via a Blackbox X32. Using Carveco to create CNC files can you advise which Post processor i should select when saving the file. GBRL (mm) (*.g-code) or Openbuilds (mm) (*.gcode). I have tried both and the program doesn't work as expected. I have run the Hello World with no issues. Or could it be something I need to change in the Carveco software
The problem appears in the Z move I am doing a drilling operation The Z axis goes down to the top of the collet not 6mm as programmed and either keeps going trying to move down further or will move in X. I have even Zeroed Z 10mm above the work surface and it starts off ok but will move down in Z as it runs through the program I have attached the program. I created another simple program jus drilling a few holes and it does the same thing. I ran the Hello World project with no issues a few days ago I will run it again today to see if that runs ok
For what it's worth, all the holes in that program are all 8mm deep (i.e. end at Z = -8) and the X-Y moves all happen at Z= 7.05. I think your problem may lie with the machine or its configuration: Check Z axis for leadscrew coupler slipping Check Z carriage for binding Check wiring to Z stepper Check you still have $1 set to 255 Try halving the Z axis acceleration and Z max speed and see if the problem persists. It might be worth posting your current configuration settings (I know you posted them a few days ago, but "things" might have changed...)
Actually programmed to drill to 8mm depth;- G0Z2.0000 G1Z-5.0800F762.0 G0Z1.0000 G0Z-3.0800 G1Z-8.0000F762.0 G0Z1.0000 G0Z7.0500 so nothing wrong with the g-code. Are you homing your machine before running the job (eg on power up)? Does it go too deep on every hole, or does it get deeper as the job progresses? If the latter you are losing steps when lifting Z and I would expect it to eventually fail to lift the bit clear of the workpiece. Do you have a heavy spindle? Is the motor coupler on Z slipping? Alex.
I have attached GBRl settings what i don't understand it worked fine on the Open World project test. I have been checking out the spindle as it appears not to be running up to speed. I have it configured through the Black box its a hyuanyang VFD. The voltage on the output for the tool on the Blackbox 32 is reading 3.02 volts. Adjusting the 10v pot does not alter the voltage. Is there something else I need to configure to make this work or is it faulty
Have you investigated the possible mechanical issues @Misterg and I raised? Could you give us some more details about your CNC? - these settings make me curious;- $100=164.550 ; X-axis steps per millimeter $101=160.560 ; Y-axis steps per millimeter $102=391.020 ; Z-axis steps per millimeter Alex.
The machine I am running is a Strongholdpro 1000mm x 1000mm using the Blackbox 32 controller and a hyuanyang spindle Limit switches for homing are proximity switches in X Y and Z. In every case I home the machine before starting a project. I use the openbuild touch probe to calibrate my XY0 reference point. i am not sure what the settings $100, $101 and $102 should be is this something that is set in the G-code of the controller or the programme I am trying to run. What about the 3.02volts on the tool output connector that can't be adjusted by the potentiometer. This is causing is what is causing my speed controll not to work. I have tried ton input values directly but nothing happens
$100 > $102 are the steps/mm settings (calibration), so the fact you are using a stronghold PRO explains why the settings are other than I would expect from an Openbuilds machine - you have ballscrews rather than leadscrews. Do you have the same pitch ballscrew on the Z as the X & Y? if so have you calibrated your Z axis? You said the Hello World worked - did you check the depth it actually cut to? Sorry, I can't help much with setting up a VFD. The link below should help you check what you have done, and I'm sure there are others here who can help. VFD Spindle Control via OpenBuilds BlackBox Controller and Software Alex.
Yes same pitch ball screws on all three axes. Calibrated all three axes as per openbuilds wizard. setup VFD to the video you linked in your reply. the openbuild carve of the Hello World worked fine and was consistent. The problem I have on the latest programs is the inconsistency of the Z axis with its altering depth during the running of a program. I am going to reconfigure the VFD to work from the unit rather than the Blackbox 32 Controller and re- run the programs and see what transpires. I will update when I have done more testing and get back to you. thanks for your help sofar
Just remembered that there's a belt link between the Z motor and the Z ballscrew on the Stronghold pro (I expressed my dislike of it during the design stage ) and presumably there's not a 1:1 ratio in that link which would explain the different steps/mm settings for Z. There's nothing wrong with the g-code and I can see no issues with your grbl settings so I can only think that the Z issue is lost steps caused by a mechanical issue. Alex.
slow down your Z axis maxrate and acceleration $112=2500.000 ; Z-axis maximum rate, mm/min $122=150.000 ; Z-axis acceleration, mm/sec^2 maxrate probably too fast given the weight of that spindle set them to half what they are now, if your job completes ok then Z was just set too fast for the weight it is lifting (ie losing steps when going up, therefore getting lower during the cut). You can then tune max it to higher speed but remember you are always trading max speed for acceleration, high speed means low acceleration and so on, can seldom have both.
Thanks for your advice I will certainly try that. I have just set the spindle for manual operation as it doesn't work with the blackbox 32 controller and I put the Open worlds program to run and it went through no problem. i then tried the Carveco drilling program and it again failed in Z with the spindle burying itself into the material. So why does the openbuilds program run but not the one I have created n Carveco
Could be because the Hello World toolpaths are pockets larger than your bit - allowing the chips to clear away from the cut area, whereas your job is a peck drilling toolpath - just straight down and up. It could be that the extra resistance of the chips in the hole are just enough, combined with the weight of your spindle to cause it to miss steps when raising Z. Alex. PS is that belt link from the motor to the pulley on the top of the Z ballscrew tight?
I will check the belt and reduce the Steps I don't think its chip load as I tried a shallow profile path and it did the same thing. If its not the belt or the steps then its got to be something with the processor or program. You still haven't answered my question on tool output on the Blackbox 32 not being able to be adjusted with the potentiometer its showing 3.02 volts and can't be adjusted to 10volts that's why my spindle can't be run from the controller. is there something I need to adjust or a jumper to configure.
I can say with absolute certainty that there's no problem with your g-code causing your spindle to gradually get lower during a job. I don't use a VFD/spindle (I have the RoutER11) so I can't help you with the problem with running the VFD from the blackbox. @Peter Van Der Walt can you help Stephen with that issue? Alex.
i have found the issue with the program causing the problem with Z axis. Wit regards to the potentiometer I connected a multi-meter to the tool output. I adjusted to full scale and also inputted various rpm values and the voltage stayed constant at 3.02 volts
Glad you fixed it. Could you explain the issue with the programme as I couldn't see any issue with the g-code you posted. Thanks, Alex.
How was it wired up? (Pictures preferably for review) Did you perform the adjustment before or after connecting VFD (as advised in our docs?) Did you change VFD to 0-10v mode (some defaults to 4-20mA, some has jumpers, some just parameters) Was 24v PSU on at the time of your measurements? Sure you have meter on 0-10v pins, not Tool Enable or similar by mistake?
Sorry for the delay in replying i tried to upload a video but for some reason it won't let me it says its a MP4 issue. I thought all my issues were overcome , not the case. I started the CNC this morning and the first carve went fine. A badge that took about 45minutes with a v carve. From there on everything failed. All axis were calibrated and checked. XY0 was taught with the open builds XYZ touch probe. None of the programs would run without the tool drilling through the base material. I taught a simple program (outline of a pumpkin). Set and zeroed the workpiece checked the frame everything was fine. started the program and carve went fine to start with the the tool raised and moved a few millimetres in X and Y then The Z lowered into the workpiece and continued going and I had to press the stop. I re-homed XY and Z retaught the XY) position but keeping Z above the Z Zero height to observe the action of the program and set it running. To start with the program as it should following the program. Then Z raised up in - direction then move down in Z to just above the Zero work surface and continued the program. Then it move again in z in a minus direction before moving back down in a positive direction this time it moved below the Z zero of the base material and tried to continue with program. At this point I stopped it as the tool was completely buried in the workpiece. It appears if it is trying to do several passes. But that can't be the case as the cut depth is set at 1mm and workpiece measures 5mm. The tool is going far lower. the video shows it better than I can
1) Check Z mechanicals (slipping shaft coupler etc? Loose setscrews?) 2) Check Z-axis Grbl Settings (dial down acceleration and max rate if too high) 3) Check that you are Homing correctly 4) Could also be intermittent wiring break docs:blackbox-x32:faq-identify-motor-coils [OpenBuilds Documentation] - loose terminal or damaged motor cable
I have tried all those things dialled down acceleration as requested it worked fine first thing I have checked everything if I could upload the video you would see what i mean
. I ran the Open World program with no issues and a couple of freebies I down loaded machine ran for over an hour without problems. I ran a simple carveco program and the same thing happened the tool buried itself in the Worksurface. In the video I deliberately set the Z zero above the worksurface to show the Z movement. It appears to take a short while while before it goes awol.
It **looks** like you have something binding near the top of the Z axis and/or are possibly trying to exceed the available Z travel of the machine - can you post the gcode file that you used for the video above?
Watch the video at 2 seconds, 36 seconds and 45 seconds - you can hear the Z axis stepper accelerate as the head moves up, but the head stops while the Z axis stepper is still audible and then moves upwards again towards the end of the Z axis decelleration with a graunching sound like the motor is being stalled. (It's easier to hear if you change the playback speed to 0.25). The head gets lower after each time it is raised because of lost travel / lost steps. This could still be that your Z axis maximum speed is too high - try halving the max speed. The Z acceleration is pretty slow, so this would only show when there is sufficient Z travel travel programmed to allow it to reach full speed. Alternatively, something is loose / slipping in your Z axis.
