USB ports intermittent failure

[evermech]

@masso-support

My customer has been complaining that the machine sometimes stops during running of a program, or sometimes it won't start the cycle when asked. I noticed that the usb icon goes black on occasion indicating that the Masso is not seeing it. Also the keyboard icon does the same and the monitor goes black too. Is there a common internal connection for those components that could be failing? All of those components are at the same end of the controller.

Why when I have an M30 at the end of my program does it not actually rewind to the beginning? It does restart at the proper place when I hit cycle start but it doesn't put the highlighted line at the top.

Guy

 

[masso-support]

the USB getting disconnected and the screen going black means that there is high electrical noise around the system, generally all high power electronics such as drives and specially VFD's are known to produce a lot of electrical noise. Basically, the high potential signals are going into low voltage digital circuitry on the controller and causing these issues.

Can you share some photos of your setup and where the MASSO is installed?

regarding M30 command, please add a blank link after M30 and then it will work.

 

[testyourdesign]

@masso-support

I wonder if it would be worth while adding Ferrite Magnet Core Filter Cable Clips on the VFD spindle and motor drive wiring? They are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. Here is a good Video on this subject.

Cheers, Stephen Brown

 

[evermech]

@masso-support

I don't have a vfd or any 3 phase wiring in the box. I will post a pic and add notes and dimensions to help to figure what could be the cause. This is a must fix as its for a customer of mine. I will rewire the entire system if need be, and I think I will be buying another controller just in case. I can always use it on another project moving forward.

thanks @testyourdesign for the suggestions

Oh ya what the heck is a blank link?

Guy

 

[breezy]

Quote from evermech on August 29, 2019, 4:19 am

Oh ya what the heck is a blank link?

Maybe they meant a blank line?

I suspect the controller reads the next line before it acts on the current line?????

Regards,

Arie.

 

[evermech]

@masso-support

photos of controls

Note the 3 phase power comes from the switch on right, down the outside of main box and along back, then up the left side to the grey box that has the contactors in it. The teck cable does not go inside main box.

 

[peter35]

I would move the masso unit from this cabinet, I have a similar setup with 3ph vfd and 3 servo drives. this caused a lot of grief with the masso.

I ended up moving my masso up to my monitor cabinet and this fixed problems.

 

[evermech]

@peter35

thanks for,the advice

were you getting the same kind of problems I'm getting?

Guy

 

[peter35]

Guy

I was getting a lot of electrical interference from drives and VFD and masso did not like this a t all. very erratic.

I only ran the machine for no more than 10 minutes before realizing what the problem was.

Relocated masso to another box, Box has my monitor, 24 volt power and masso inside.

I have done this to both my Mills.

 

[masso-support]

Quote from Breezy on August 29, 2019, 4:41 am

Quote from evermech on August 29, 2019, 4:19 am

Oh ya what the heck is a blank link?

Maybe they meant a blank line?

I suspect the controller reads the next line before it acts on the current line?????

Regards,

Arie.

yes just one empty line after M30 else M30 will not be processed.

 

[breezy]

Quote from MASSO Support on August 30, 2019, 9:48 pm

Quote from Breezy on August 29, 2019, 4:41 am

Quote from evermech on August 29, 2019, 4:19 am

Oh ya what the heck is a blank link?

Maybe they meant a blank line?

I suspect the controller reads the next line before it acts on the current line?????

yes just one empty line after M30 else M30 will not be processed.

I have modified my copy of Fusion MASSO mill post processor to include a blank line at the end of the file.

Maybe MASSO Support should contact AutoDesk to have the Fusion post processor updated.

Regards,

Arie.

 

[evermech]

Thanks breezy,peter35,testyourdesign, and masso support for the response. I will try out the blank line on Tuesday when back to work, and not sure when I will rewire the control, but will keep you posted on the results

Guy

 

[evermech]

Hi all, well I have an update on the problems with the usb ports and screen issue.

I finally got some time with the machine at my customers factory and discovered that there seemed to be a relation to the problems with usb conection and a solenoid air valve that was controlled with a simple rotary switch. The solenoid operates a clamp that is not controlled in any way by the Masso although it is necessary to secure the work pieces before machining.

I tested things by first pulling the fuses on the servo drives, then powered up the Masso and ran the clamp. The problem was still there. Then I pulled the solenoid wiring but left the coil wired for the contactor I was using as a relay. The problem was still there. I then rewired the solenoid to a different relay, and yanked the contactor out completely and that seemed to stop the problem. No matter how much I fiddled with the clamp it wouldn't fault the usb.

The contactor that was causing the trouble was a low current 24v dc motor contactor and I was switching 24v dc on one leg only to the solenoid. I wouldn't have thought that it would have made enough interference at that voltage to cause the trouble

Oh well we shall see tomorrow when they run the machine for a shift.

Guy

 

[ecs]

@evermech - Wow you wouldn't think 24v could cause that much interference! At least you dont need to rewire the machine!!!!!!! That would suck...

 

[evermech]

@ecs yah for sure. I'm thinking that the motor contactor doesn't have the surge protecting diodes that a relay has built in. Let's see what @breezy has to say about that.

Guy

 

[masso-support]

Well done tracking it down Guy.

Things like that can be very hard to find. You will probably find it is a coil with a large number of windings that produces a huge back EMF when turned off. I wonder what the contacts look like inside the rotary switch. Possible arcing when the switch is opened.

The good news is that finding it is the hard part, fixing it should be much easier.

Cheers

Peter