MASSO G3 (V3.46.1) Freezing

[robb]

I've had a few 'freezes' with my MASSO G3 on a few occasions over the last year. The result was that to make my life easier I fitted a power switch to enable me to reboot and free up MASSO. It's a workaround I know but.

Today, after loading the 'Finish' part of a (V-Carve Pro) job, the damn card freezes. Won't Home, does respond to MPG and in F2, CTR+R/CTR+S, Z-axis lowers to '0' but the spindle is not turning. Couldn't Home so, I hit my switch and rebooted MASSO (losing my settings in the process). When MASSO comes back, all is working normally.

I can recover using a homemade (axis) template to regain the axis settings but, it's a bi*ch when time is short and customer expectations are high.

The reality is that I have had to create two workarounds to patch the problem.

MASSO is great, wouldn't change a thing but, this glitch is a bit of a bind.

Robb

 

[breezy]

@robb

Robb,

V3.48 has some improvements of setting G54-59 in probing.

When you get the email to activate myWorkshop, please do so and download V3.48.

If you still get the freezing occurring, do a screendump (CTRL & P) and/or take a photo of the monitor and upload it to here with your settings text file and program that you are running. https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/save-and-load-settings

That way we can look at and test the situation.

Regards,

Arie.

 

[masso-support]

Hi Robb

Have read your description and done some testing.
The fact that you have had this issue over several versions of software and also from the symptoms you describe it sounds like you are loosing Flash Drive connectivity.
Everything that you describe with the exception of not being able to home checks out in my testing.
Note that the MPG does not work in the F2 screen. You can only jog in the F3 screen.

Momentary loss of the USB connection to the Flash drive while machining will cause the machine to stop and will not allow you to continue running the file as it will no longer be valid.
The rewind and start buttons will not work but you should be able to reload the file and then use the jump to line to continue machining.
You shouldn't have to restart MASSO and your position could be correct.

One way to test this is to add the file I have attached to this reply to the root directory of your USB flashdrive.
Go into the F1 Screen and under General Settings put a check in the box labeled Load 'autoload.nc' at Power Up

This will autoload the file when you start MASSO so just press cancel and load your file.
If you loose your USB Flash Drive connection while machining it will load my file and you will know the problem is loss of your Flash drive connectivity.
Half the battle is figuring out the root cause of the problem. After that fixing it should be much easier. If it loads the file you have an electrical noise issue.

I could be wrong so if it doesn't load my file when it next happens can you please provide screen prints of the F2 screen, or photos of the Complete F2 screen, a Copy of your settings and tools file, a copy of the file you were machining and the line number it stopped on please. I will investigate this further.

Let us know what happens either way.
Cheers
Peter

 

[keymont]

Hi,

Don't underestimate electrical noise! I'm in the middle of dealing with a noise issue that's so bad it has been causing my monitor to go black whenever the motor is running. I've got it working better right now after adding 10 ferrite chokes and relocating the VFD for the spindle motor. The screen still gets interference, but it stays on now. I'm upgrading the VGA cable to a better quality one as well.

The EMI "forces" involved in a CNC machine can be pretty intense!

 

[robb]

Hi Guys,

First, thanks for being so helpful.

Second, I already use an autoload.nc but, I will install the one I have downloaded from here. I hadn't considered electrical noise. My VFD is at the far end of my cab and about 18" from my monitor. The monitor has not shown any indication of noise but, that doesn't mean there isn't any. My USB is connected to a long extension cable and is at least 6' from the electrics. I use a 16GB Sandisk and it is quite new. I have another USB that I also use for test-jobs and, like the Sandisk, it has always (to me) worked perfectly well.

I look forward to the MASSO G3 upgrade software. Haven't received an email as yet.

I'm running an 8-hour job right now so, I'll keep an eye on things.

One thing that did happen this morning (GMT) was that after a Home the spindle came to the Auto-setting and instead of going down (Z-axis) and touching the plate it tried to carry on through the earth's crust. I managed to hit the E-stop smartly and it didn't break the EM, fortunately. I have the Auto-Setter separately earthed, rather than rely on the cable screen. This is not the first time this has happened. Weird! Should I use a steel plate rather than my current alloy (cheapy from eBay) plate?

Have a great weekend.

Robb

 

[peter35]

I had a long usb cable on the g2 a couple of years ago and this did cause problems, would recommend a shorter cable.

 

[evermech]

I also had a noise issue with a G2 controller on a build I did. The culprit was a small motor contactor in close proximity to the USB connectors of the Masso. Once I moved the contactor there have been zero issues and I have run thousands of cycles on that machine since then

Guy

 

[masso-support]

Hi Robb,

Can you please let me know your MASSO Serial number.

We have added a message that will alert you is the USB FLash drive disconnects while machining which will hopefully help isolate your problem.

Cheers
Peter

 

[robb]

Very grateful for all replies and suggestions.

I will try a shortened USB cable. I have no other electronic equipment closer than 48" from the MASSO controller cabinet and USB cable.

My MASSO number is 5A-5824.

Thanks again guys and keep well, keep safe.

If you would like to see what I do, please feel free to visit: www.wessexmillwork.com

I'm not as busy as I would like as the virus problem has slowed everything down. But, I do have work coming through and that is a blessing.

Robb