Unable to initialize machine. Could not detect limit switch opening on: carriage gantry

[D7Plasma]

Hey everyone,

Just looking for some more experienced help on an issue we’re having.

Upon initializing, the carriage/gantry make noise, but neither move to the initialization point. Then we get the error message:

Unable to initialize machine. Could not detect limit switch opening on: carriage gantry

If this is an issue with the limit switch, the carriage should at least finish initialization before encountering an issue with the limit switches (that aren’t being activated at this point), right? At least that’s my thought.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Blackslacks]

I suggest disabling you limit switch(s) in the software and try again. Might be a defective switch.

[adbuch]

Hey everyone,

Just looking for some more experienced help on an issue we’re having.

Upon initializing, the carriage/gantry make noise, but neither move to the initialization point. Then we get the error message:

Unable to initialize machine. Could not detect limit switch opening on: carriage gantry

If this is an issue with the limit switch, the carriage should at least finish initialization before encountering an issue with the limit switches (that aren’t being activated at this point), right? At least that’s my thought.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

The noise is normal. This is the z stepper motor stalling when it initializes to find the Z zero position. No - it will not finish initializing if the limit switches are not detected.

I can't tell from the error message if your problem is with the carriage limit switch or gantry limit switch.

One possibility it that your gantry is off a tooth on one of the gear racks. If this occurs, it is possible for the gantry to hit the hard stop on the right side of the machine before the left side is able to activate the limit switch. To check this, manually (by hand) move the gantry towards the home position (back of the table). Pay careful attention to the right and left ends of the gantry. They should both contact their hard stops at the same time. If one end is hitting the stop, but the other stops short - then remove the gantry and re-engage it into the side rails so that both hard stops make contact at the same time. If your gantry is not off by a tooth, then you either have a bad limit switch, problem with the wiring harness associated with that particular limit switch, or a problem with your controller.

The Video Manual, Chapter 8, Troubleshooting, Motion Control Errors, Unable to detect limit switch - indicates that if both limit switches fail to open, make sure the correct branches of the main wiring harness are plugged into the carriage and gantry. Otherwise check the limit switch on the axis indicating the problem.

The Video Manual, Chapter 8, Testing, Run Machine Diagnostics, Check limit switches explains how to test the limit switches using Machine Diagnostics. I would recommend following this procedure to find the cause of your problem.

David

test limit switches.jpg

[adbuch]

I suggest disabling you limit switch(s) in the software and try again. Might be a defective switch.

The software does not offer the option to disable the limit switches,
David

[rdj357]

Open machine diagnostics and look to see if the X or Y limit switch indicators are yellow when not pressed. Check them to see if they turn yellow when pressed, white when not. They are normally closed so if a wire is off or there is a bad wire or connection, they will not let the machine move and you will get the error.

[Joe Jones]

Open machine diagnostics and look to see if the X or Y limit switch indicators are yellow when not pressed. Check them to see if they turn yellow when pressed, white when not. They are normally closed so if a wire is off or there is a bad wire or connection, they will not let the machine move and you will get the error.

I wonder why PlasmaCam did not make the diagnostics panel a bit more logical. It would seem that a gray box would indicate no contact, and a green box would indicate contact. This white/yellow crap is for the birds!

Joe

[adbuch]

Perhaps you could contact Plasmacam and give them your suggestions.
David

[Joe Jones]

Perhaps you could contact Plasmacam and give them your suggestions.
David

Now THAT IS FUNNY!!!