I’m in an ongoing chat with Onefinity tech support, but I thought I’d post this issue here to see if anyone has any different ideas.
Here’s my problem:
Powered up my Gen 2 Elite WW this morning, attempted to do the home sequence, and got the following error:
CLOSED LOOP MOTOR ERROR (Z Axis).
I cleared the error and the HMI asked if I wanted to Home the machine; I said yes, but then the error returned. Did this numerous times with the same results. OF tech support thinks it may be because of sunlight or UV rays interfering with the sensor on the Z axis (I think this is a bit of a stretch), even though my machine is about ten feet from my garage door. I closed my garage door and turned off the lights and the problem still occured.
I sent tech support a short video of the problem; here it is (it’s only available for 7 days - expires on June 12):
If anyone has any thoughts, let me know. I have a large project for a customer coming up, and I need to resolve this ASAP.
I would start by checking the plugs on the z stepper and two pin end stop sensor. I would unplug both and check to make sure pins are ok on both sides, not push-in etc..
Have the exact same issue with my 1fg2EF. Only happens at a certain time of day and that coincides with when the sun shines through the workshop window.
Thanks for the suggestions.
All my connections and pins are good.
In my case , if errant sunlight was causing my Z sensor to malfunction, then why did it still occur when I closed my garage door and turned off the lights?
What I was thinking of doing was swapping the Z and Y connections at the motion controller. If I swap the Z axis cable/motor connection with a Y axis at the controller and the error moves to the Y axis, I know it’s the cable or motor. If the error stays on Z it points to the controller port.
I’m installing my Gen2 J and had a limit switch DOA on the Y1 axis. When I did a round robin with the sensors, the Z-axis gave me the same error as you, when the bad sensor went to the Z-axis position..
I would try swapping with one of the Y-axis sensors and see if the Z-axis error clears. You may get a different error on the Y axis homing sequence if it is a bad sensor (mine always showed closed on the Diag page whether the sensor was blocked or not).
Looks like errant sunlight/UV is the culprit. I completely covered the Z sensor in black electrical tape then ran the homing sequence multiple times, worked perfectly each time. Removed the tape and the error reoccurred.
When you make that shade, let me know the price and I’ll definitely buy one from you or if you don’t mind, send the file and I’ll find someone local to print it for me. Either way, I’ll be happy to pay.
I sent Onefinity an email telling them that the sun/UV was the problem with the Z sensor.
Evidently this is a known problem because the tech sent me a 3D file for a cover for the Z sensor. This should save you some time having to design it. I don’t have a 3D printer, but I’m sure I can find someone local local to print it for me.
I think so. Seems like an odd problem, but at least I know what it is. Like I mentioned to Chris, this must be a known problem with Onefinity because the tech I was speaking with sent me a 3D file to print a cover for the sensor.
Has anyone tried to print this IR cover? I printed it twice and found that when the sensor is placed in the cover, the right side of the sensor (where the screw hole is) does not sit flush with the cover. Depth (where the screw holes are): right side: 3.59mm, left: 6.32mm, plus the existing cap head screws that hold the sensor are not long enough. Maybe the cover just snaps on the sensor without screwing it on?
UPDATE
Just spoke with OF, they said the cover just snaps on over the IR sensor and does not screw in.