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Workbee with Duet controller

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Alex Chambers, Jan 15, 2019.

  1. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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  2. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    Hi Alex,

    Thank you for your build. My apologies for the issues you have had with our kit. If you ever need anything replacing please contact us.

    The connectors we use we have changed since our first batch of kits using the Duet. The connectors we use now match the Duet connectors better, and stop the wires popping out like you experienced. If you want new wires with these connectors please let me know.

    If anyone reading this wants to know the video on how to connect to your Duet directly to your PC via ethernet, then this is the video:

    Best Regards

    Ryan Lock
     
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  3. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Thanks Ryan, the problem with the stepper motor connectors was twofold - the plastic part of the headers on the Duet are flimsy and on at least one the tab which should lock the connector in place has broken. I'll be keeping an eye on them, but if the connectors on the cables need replacing I'd rather crimp new ones on than feed a new cable through the drag chain - well within my capabilities and I already have some suitable connectors. Other problems were niggles that I wanted to highlight for the benefit of other builders. Alex.
     
  4. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    PS the faulty crimp was actually broken in half - one part still attached to the wire, the other still in the plastic receptacle. Alex.
     
  5. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    Hi Alex,

    Thanks again for the feedback, we will take it on board!

    Best Regards

    Ryan Lock
     
  6. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    IMPORTANT

    See my build report for important notes about the duet controller. You must untick "allow moves without homing" (appears to be set by default) as this disables soft limits. You may also need to change the Y axis setting in config.g to something less than the 770 suggested by Oozenest.
     
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  7. Colin Mccourt

    Colin Mccourt Journeyman
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    Thanks Alex, Be sure to inform Ooznest as they may need to amend their manual if this be the case.
    Regards
    C
     
  8. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Sent Ryan a message yesterday lunchtime - no reply as yet. Alex.
     
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  9. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    Hi Alex,

    Thanks for your messages and informing us about this. We will look into it, and either make a manual or firmware change.

    Best Regards

    Ryan Lock
     
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  10. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    I did need to add extra support after modifying my machine to have a lower spoiler board. I used a bit of the 20/40 I removed from the original configuration - see pic.
    Bed supports.JPG
     
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  11. Colin Mccourt

    Colin Mccourt Journeyman
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    Are you attaching that middle spar to the surface of the workbench in some way ??
     
  12. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    For anyone who (like me) broke the mounting bracket for the Y drag chain fixed end I have posted a replacement design in share parts.
    Alex.
     
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  13. Colin Mccourt

    Colin Mccourt Journeyman
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    Excellent @Alex Chambers or should I call you "Master" now ;)
     
  14. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    And get that forehead touching the ground :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:. Still haven't got any discounts :cry::cry::cry:

    Alex.
     
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  15. Colin Mccourt

    Colin Mccourt Journeyman
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    Yes Sensei
    miaggi.jpg
    :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:
     
  16. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Where did you get that picture of me?
    Alex:eek::eek:
     
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  17. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Those who have read my build report will know I had some issues with the stepper motor leads. I thought I had solved it by replacing a faulty crimp, but after less than 8 weeks of occasional use the Y axis went bananas today - I'm fairly certain it is the cables - the connectors seem loose at the duet end. Have requested a replacement set from Ooznest. Typically it went wrong 24 hours before something was due to be delivered.
    Alex
    :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
     
  18. Colin Mccourt

    Colin Mccourt Journeyman
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  19. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    I used to do a lot of trouble-shooting and repairs on programmable dimming systems, analog and digital audio control systems and other AV integration stuff...9 times out of 10 I would find some problem with connections. Crimp problems, cold solder joints, loose screw blocks, corroded plating on connectors, were all common problems. I often ripped out all the wiring and simply redid every connection with new connectors, spending the time to do quality durable work....amazing improvements. This CNC stuff has all the difficult stuff: low voltages, signals susceptible to RF interference, movings wire bundles, vibration, dust, and so on. For the connections on these machines to be reliable, the devil is in the details! .... @Alex Chambers , hope you find a lasting solution without too much pain!
     
  20. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Thanks for the thought @joe williams. I used to teach technology, specialising in electronics, and my A level students often made robots for their major projects. Like you I am very familiar with faulty joints caused by poor technique! In this case I think the problem is caused by the crimp not gripping the insulation as well as the wire, plus the crimps have been overtightened, stressing a weak point on the crimp itself.
    Alex. :banghead::banghead::banghead:
     
  21. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Thanks to Ooznest for sending the replacement stepper motor cables so promptly, my machine is now fixed. examining the original cables I discovered that some of the crimps had been inserted upside down, so that the tab that should lock it into place in the plastic receptacle didn't! Not suprisingly the pin on the header on the Duet had pushed them back into the receptacle so they only made intermittent contact, exacerbated by vibration.
    Alex.:banghead::banghead::banghead:
     
  22. Colin Mccourt

    Colin Mccourt Journeyman
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    More attention should be paid to this end...better quality control, it seems to be a very common problem..That said Ooznest customer service is very good.
     
  23. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    I think they had problems with the cables on the first machines they sent out - hopefully this is now fixed.
    Alex. :eek::eek:
     
  24. Donald Oehlke

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    Has anyone replaced the Duet Controller with a Mach 3? If so, What all is needed to do that? I have a Workbee with a Duet Controller that seems to have problems and Getting support from Ooznest is difficult because of the time difference. I have had my machine for about 3 months and still not running.
     
  25. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Hi @Donald Oehlke, if there is anything I can do to help get your workbee running let me know what the problems are.
    Alex.
     
  26. Donald Oehlke

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    Thanks Alex, I had Ryan remotely set up my software. He then instructed me to go through the steps of the manual to set up and home the machine. I went to the software and clicked on the Z axis and the machine homed fine. I then clicked on the X axis and it also made the machine home to the Z axis. I tried the Y axis and it also made the home on the Z axis. Very frustrated at this point as I am not skilled enough to change programing and I don't have the time to deal with the UK as the time difference is an issue for me. That is why I was looking at replacing it with Mach 3 as support is more readily available.
     
  27. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Did it home the Z AND Y axes when you homed Y (it's supposed to do that) or just the Z.
    Alex.
     
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  28. Donald Oehlke

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    When I pressed to homing for X, Y and Z the only axis that moved was the Z
     
  29. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Can you jog the X and Y axes? If necessary switch off the power and move the X and Y to the middle of the bed by hand (turn the motor couplers) - be careful with the Y axis to keep both sides turned the same amount. Only jog each axis a short distance - say 10mm. Let me know what happens (you may have already tried this)
    Alex
     
  30. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    Hi Donald,

    Thank you for contacting us. Apologies for the issues you are having. It is normal to home the Z first when homing any other axis, it is like that to insure it clears any other material on the bed.

    As Alex said can you try Jogging the X & Y Axis?

    To get support it is best to email us at [email protected] as i check that throughout that day, but don't often check on here. We can arrange another time for a remote session on your machine.

    Best Regards

    Ryan Lock
     
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