Stepper Motor Overload?

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  • January 22, 2019 at 5:14 pm #11286
    entomophile
    Member

    When running a cut program on my 3040 CNC, the program will just stop in the middle of the cut. No error message, and Chilipeppr is unresponsive. It has happened with multiple files. I am thinking tinyg is shutting down the program because it thinks the steppers are overloaded? However, my cuts and speeds are pretty conservative and the steppers sound fine. If I back the feeds and speeds off, the programs will complete but I’m pretty sure I’m not even close to the limits of the machine. Is my thinking correct? Can I change the stall settings? Some other potential problem?

    Also, when this happens, is there a way to reset and pick up where I left off.

    TIA, Greg

    January 22, 2019 at 7:07 pm #11287
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    Based on what I see, particularly ” If I back the feeds and speeds off, the programs will complete “, my guess would be one or more of the stepper drivers (not the steppers) are shutting down due to thermal overload.

    Do you have a fan blowing on tinyG?

    Another good test would be to run the job “in-air” above the work piece by setting a high Z=0. If job completes at your desired speed settings, then it is likely thermal overload.

    For tinyG, the most effective heat sink is the PCB, so good volume of air movement helps.
    What voltage are you running your motors at?

    January 25, 2019 at 6:54 pm #11289
    entomophile
    Member

    Sorry for the late response. Just got back to my CNC today. As embarrassing as this is to admit, the problem was that I was hitting my limit switch! I think I have overloaded the machine in the past and that set me down this path, but this time was all my fault. Thank you for the help.

    PS-I do have a fan and I am running a Meanwell 24 volt 8.5 amp switching power supply.

    January 26, 2019 at 10:23 pm #11290
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    That which teaches us makes us stronger 🙂
    Good Luck!

    January 30, 2019 at 8:08 am #11297
    entomophile
    Member

    OK, I finally got this figured out. Turns out I’m not crazy. It seems like my limit switches were being triggered due to noise in the wiring. I disabled them for now and everything is working fine, no more stops. I’ll redo the limit switches eventually but at least the machine is cutting fine now.

    January 30, 2019 at 11:56 am #11298
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    Just to add to the mystery, Spindle is a frequent cause of noise shutdown.
    Noise from a spindle increases with load on the spindle, noise is related to current drain.
    An unloaded or lightly loaded spindle, such as run in air, might not cause limit operation, a spindle pushed too fast thru a dense material will result in more noise, higher chance of causing limit to fire

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