Greetings,

 

I am a beginner hobbyist and recently purchased a Masuter Pro and I am having an issue. About 20-30 minutes into a longer project, the machine will stutter and lose track of the path. Pictures here: https://imgur.com/a/LrK4xoa

 

I've troubleshooted by making sure there was nothing in the way of the machine. I've monitored the GCode and visualizers. This has happened with several different projects using various software, so I don't think it's a software issue. It also happens regardless of the bit, and there's been nothing obstructing the bit's path. I have a vacuum collecting as much debris as possible, so I don't think it's due to debris on the Y axis. I do think it may have something to do with the Y axis motors because it appears that the X axis continues in the right path no matter what.

 

This doesn't happen 100 percent of the time. I've been able to get through to completion on about half of my projects.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

This time of the year static discharges can cause unexpected action of a running CNC.  If you are following with a vacuum that might be contributing.  I had that happen on my Probotix CNC the first winter I was using it.  Cut was proceeding fine.  I was following the bit with my shop vac hose end.  Suddenly the bit headed off in the Y direction as though it had dropped a bit while X kept going toward what would have been it's correct coordinate.  All it takes is one lost bit in the communication between PC and controller to have things go awry. 

4D

I am looking at buying the fox Alien Vasto Pro. Did you get your issue resolved?  Thanks

Missed this thread. First, welcome to The Patriot Woodworker @Cyberpig. Glad you found us and hope you hang around, post some of your projects as well as help and share with others. Great group of folks here...dare I say it, but I will, the best group of people on the inter-web IMHO.

 

Anyways, I'm no help as I'm CNC challenged, but @4DThinker, @Masonsailorand @difalkner and @honesttjohn all have a wealth of knowledge that might possibly help. Probably forgetting a few others too. Hopefully each can check in with some input.

 

Keep the thread active too as your experience might help others. Thanks for being here.

It could be interference causing your system to lose steps.  Do you have adequate shielding on your cables?  Is there a VFD and is it well shielded?  What about adequate grounding for the machine itself?

7 hours ago, difalkner said:

It could be interference causing your system to lose steps.  Do you have adequate shielding on your cables?  Is there a VFD and is it well shielded?  What about adequate grounding for the machine itself?

VFD?  What is that and when I get my system how can I ensure it is shielded? Thx

VFD - variable frequency driver, or something like that.   Controls a spindle motor.  Takes a command from the PC controller software and sets the RPM of the spindle to match.  

Good ones should come shielded.  Common strategies would be to avoid running power lines with digital signal lines. I don't personally have a VFD or spindle motor with my CNCs, so my advice should be viewed with a skeptical eye.

12 hours ago, 4DThinker said:

VFD - variable frequency driver, or something like that.   Controls a spindle motor.  Takes a command from the PC controller software and sets the RPM of the spindle to match.  

Good ones should come shielded.  Common strategies would be to avoid running power lines with digital signal lines. I don't personally have a VFD or spindle motor with my CNCs, so my advice should be viewed with a skeptical eye.

Lol…I trust you. I am now trying to find a decent 3d software without a yrly subscription lol.   Thank you!

Carveco has a monthly model with no commitment if you want to try that.  It's basically the same as the Vectric products (they both came from ArtCAM). 

Subscription software to me has become a red flag money sucker unless you can easily cancel, and for the length of time you use it it doesn't cost more than the upfront cost of similar programs.   I'm also not a fan of web based software unless it is free and not mandatory for a machine given how unreliable a web connection can be.  I've seen companies go out of business leaving users dependent on their web software with useless machines. 

 

While I have spent probably twice the initial cost of Aspire on upgrades for it over time, I can still use the original version I bought and would be if those upgrades had been more discretionary money than I had to spend.   At the moment I'm using Aspire 10.5 and so far haven't seen any reason to upgrade for their last two versions 11.0 and 11.5.  What I appreciate about it the excellent drafting tools it has, and the imaginative toolpath options it has that often simplify making complex shapes without needing to build a 3D model first. 

4D Thinker. I 100% agree with subscription software. Carbide has their software for 120 a year or lifetime for 360.00 but you get one year of free upgrades. Made me look at Shapeoko CNC's. Seems like good machines at a good price, but I don't have 8-12 hours to assemble a CNC. LOL 

I bought a Shapeoko kit just to use the parts for another project.  I'm thinking they have a much beefier version now, which should tell you that their original version indeed had room for improvements.    My Probotix machine has done fine for all the years I've had it.  Probotix though has come out with "upgraded" models with a beefier gantry beam, more Z-axis travel, and upgrades not supported for older machines like an automatic tool changer (ATC).   I've been responsible for showing them some machining flaws (their rotary axis tailstock alignment) and the deflection of their Z axis if extended to it's bottom limit of travel.   When they made a taller gantry they re-engineered the beam and spread out the support bearings to counteract those early flaws.  They came out with a new tailstock option as well.  After those improvements I ordered one of their new models for the college I taught at.  Other than an initial bad parallel cable it came with that machine become the one I preferred to use for critical work.  The room it is in has a Meteor and Nebula  (both older generation machines) that are also still being used by new faculty.  Bigger tables, and a rotary axis on the nebula.  

Thank you for the information. Those look like some great machines and are out of my price range. While I am doing more research Fox Alien has not been responsive to any of my emails or other communications and unless I I want to pay an extra 500 dollars it will be 30-40 days shipping. The Shapeoko systems within my price range have belt drive which I am not really sold on for long term use. I did find a U.S. company that has the rod and nut drives within my price range and have been extremely responsive to any questions I have had. Mill Right is the company and I am looking at the Carvco King 2. Still researching things.

Have you looked at OneFinity?  A friend has one and it seems to be a decent machine.

I have and they do have a good machine but I am on the non profit program right now lol. I am hoping to do some local selling of projects here and there to pay for my woodworking ‘hobby’ mostly with signs and small projects. Eventually once I get better at the software geographical reliefs. 

Not really related to the intent of this thread but within the operating software(s) is there a cumulative machine runtime (operating hours) log? Just curious.

Good question Grandpadave52.   I've never even looked for such info in LinuxCNC.   I'll be getting Mach3 to run the Taig mini mill soon but don't know much about it yet.  The control software for my CNC Shark doesn't have machine hours that I know of, although they could of /should have updated it over that last several years. 

The large Multicam CNC used in the university shop does have periodic maintenance done and I'm guessing they know when to do it based on machine hours run. 

4D

In my previous life within manufacturing we had dozens of CNC dedicated machining centers as well as multi-task centers. Most had cumulative hours, cycle counts, up-time etc. data available. Mainly for maintenance cycles but also for tooling changes/ life. 

I've gone through a couple routers, although getting them running again just required new brushes.  I run them one number under their max RPM as I've read that the bearings in them weren't actually rated for that top speed. Never lost one to bad bearings. Knowing when a router is going bad is easy enough to see/hear.  What I don't have a good strategy for is keeping track of bits.  Without an ATC or way to associate each bit with a database I just have to quick inspect each bit when changing them, and take notice of any changes in my expected quality of cut.   My CNC is a hobby CNC though, with no production runs to speak of, and no income depending on it.  Anyone who plans to make money using a CNC should invest in one with a maintenance plan, scheduled overhauls, etc., in my opinion. 

I just had this same problem cutting a few circles for a friend.  It was proceeding along just fine along the profile and about halfway down it jetted straight left. I thought it was something with the wood because it happened three times in the same area, about 8 o'clock on the circle.

 

I was tracking it with a vacuum and I read the prior comments indicating that could be the issue.  I'll try again tomorrow and will refrain from vacuuming to see if that has an impact at all.  If anyone has any other ideas on what may cause this I'd appreciate the help.

 

Longship

Masuter Pro

Bauer Router