Intermac master stone 4000 help

[raymond7m]

Spindle carriage is traveling the wrong way when attempting to home. We are working with Peter from Intermac but he hasn't come up with a fix yet. The spindle should only travel the wrong way if there is a wiring issue with the Z limit switch or if the encoder cable is wired incorrectly.

Everything worked fine a few weeks ago except machine would shut off periodically. We determined that was a wiring issue with the Z axis encoder cable.

Swapped out the Z axis encoder cable.

Spindle moves down instead of up.

Put original encoder cable back on, thinking wiring is off.

Spindle moved down instead of up.

Put new encoder cable back on.

Spindle moves up, homes properly, everything seems fine. This was Friday.

Tuesday, spindle moves down instead of up.

Swapped Z switch (balluff switch that sets the height)

Spindle moves down instead of up.

Changed the motor

Spindle moves down instead of up.

What are we missing? Peter and myself are at a loss. Everything tones correctly with the encoder cable. Tested the Z limit switch wiring and everything seems to be correct. Not sure where to turn next.

[tim farr]

Have you swapped phases on your incoming power? Just stabbing in the dark

[raymond7m]

We did nothing with the power cable. I've actually considered switching a phase just to make it work.......

[tim farr]

You don't necessarily have to do anything. A surge can swap the phases.

[raymond7m]

Seriously? I never knew that phases could switch without swapping wires. I've sent an email to Peter to see what harm, if any, could happen by just swapping phases.

[tim farr]

Just turn on the halo water and confirm the pump is spinning in the correct direction. That will tell you

[jrupert3]

I’ve never heard of phases switching because a power surge.. this seems very odd to me.

I’m not familiar with your machine, but typically the servo motors for axis motion is controlled by a inverter drive which isn’t affected by any phase (no matter how it’s phased it will work correctly). You can test the phase by testing any non inverter driven motor like a vacuum pump.

My guess it’s software or a bad inverter drive.

[John Fallon]

After 17 years of service from that workhorse of a machine, I agree...maybe inverter. King Peter is the Master of the 4000, he'll figure it out.
My best to Peter and to you, in figuring out the issue.
Where is Gary now?

Regards,

John Fallon
Breton USA
914-441-1306

[raymond7m]

Gary is retired. He still comes in when we have issues that we can't figure out, but he's just enjoying life without work now.

Got the problem fixed. It was an issue with the cable in the cabinet. Replaced it and boom, back to work. Thanks for all the responses.