Router/Controller Pausing Intermittently During Zeroing

[GeraldPerry (GAP)]

My controller failed about 3 months ago after moderate use at most. I am a hobbyist using a 32x32 woodworker. Now that I have about 3 months of use with the new replacement controller, I have noticed during the manual zeroing process, that there is an intermittent and random lagging/pausing of the x y z inputs. This has resulted in the bit slamming into my stock and/or waste board and not surprisingly, some unrecoverable material damage. Nothing else has changed in my little shop.
Has anyone else experienced this issue?
Thanks Gerry

[cyberreefguru (The Guru)]

HI Gerald - are you using v1.3? If not, have you upgraded and checked if the problem still exists?

Does it happen when doing manual control using the gamepad?

-Tom

[Atroz]

Check in to the discussions here about EMI issues, shorted/pinched wires and bad connectors. Could be any of these.

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Gerald,

@GeraldPerry

I have noticed during the manual zeroing process, that there is an intermittent and random lagging/pausing of the x y z inputs.

With manual zeroing, what do you mean exactly?

Usually manually zeroing means

• jogging axes with the Jog Pane,
• jogging axes with the gamepad,
• entering axes motion commands into the command entry field of MDI tab,

and then clicking once one of the zeroing icons.

• Homing ≠ Zeroing

After 3 monthes of use, it could be that the machine with stock cabling…

@Aiph5u

…can show problems with the connectors, especially because of the lack of strain relief on this machine .

@Aiph5u

the Cable Connectors used on Onefinity are the weak spot on the Onefinity (not the controller), especially in combination with the lack of strain relief on this machine. As someone who has assembled and troubleshot many computers, I can’t have a good opinion of such tin-plated connector contacts. The Onefinity CNC manufacturer addresses possible connector problems in this FAQ document .

@Aiph5u

If one day you find that your Z-axis moves up and down as it pleases and ruins your workpiece and your wasteboard, you might find that it’s because the connectors can make problems (see also here), which may be caused by the fact that you did not yet retrofit strain relief to your machine , which the machine unfortunately lacks. In this case you may want to procure what is needed to make new cables yourself. The same applies if you want custom length cables which would be the case if you want to mount the controller further away.

So what I would try before risking to loose another piece of wood, is check the cables and especially its connectors, and where they are crimped (if you can look a little into them, do they come out when you move the connector on the cable) or do you measure discontinuity in resistance between both ends with a multimeter? You can use the search function to search for cable multimeter to find how others solved their issue. Unfortunately if you search for plunges workpiece you can find many other who observed their machine ruining a workpiece.

Should this be the cause of your issue, the best thing to avoid that in the future is to retrofit a serious cable management system to the machine, especially where the cables hang freely without strain relief on moving parts, as is the case for the X and Z stepper cables where they enter the left end of X axis, and the curly Z cable often fails after a longer time too.

@Aiph5u

I would check all the points in the help document “Troubleshooting: Rail is getting hung, stuck, or out of alignment” one by one.

Also note that cables not only fail on their connectors. A multimeter can help. Also be aware that neither Onefinity cable is made for permanent motion in a CNC. Sometimes replacing the curly Z cable, that can break internally, or retrofitting strain relief on the machine can help (or better retrofitting a drag chain system that runs cables specifically made for permanent motion).

It was already the choice of these Molex connectors on the Buildbotics controller that was a mistake that Onefinity inherited on their hardware fork, but it’s quite obvious that the machine/controller was also about a low price threshold. With gold-plated circular connectors as used in the industry and a proper cable management (drag chain) this happens less of course.

You say

@GeraldPerry

there is an intermittent and random lagging/pausing of the x y z inputs

How do you know it’s the inputs? Which inputs?

How exactly does that manifest itself? All at once?

Further reading

• Troubleshooting: Rail is getting hung, stuck, or out of alignment (x35/x50 machines)

• Z Axis Moving Unexpectedly (Cutting too shallow or too deep)

[GeraldPerry (GAP)]

My apologies for the slow response time.
I am using V 1.3.0
I have not noticed the issue with the game controller, although I just use it primarily for Z movements.
I still have additional things to check. Wiring connections, etc.
Thanks Gerry

[GeraldPerry (GAP)]

Next steps.
Thanks Gerry

[GeraldPerry (GAP)]

Thanks for the full response. You have given me some direction in a number of areas and a quicker approach to researching the Onefinity forum site.
1 - Manual zeroing - using the Control Central homing screen on my PC screen or the game controller for the x y z zeroing increments. I have a touch probe but have chosen not to use it very often. (Not homing) (Jog Pane - a new term to me’)
2 - This is a 2+ year old machine with a new controller (3 months old).
3 - I have not checked wiring connectors as yet. I will be checking with a multimeter shortly.
4) inputs on the Control Central screen
5) It manifest itself in intermittent and apparent random events
I have lost several pieces of expensive wood due to “gremlins” which I have failed to identify, i.e. the machine taking some random movements that don’t model in the Vectric software. With the old controller, I did not experience “gremlins”.
I have probably cut several hundred pieces over the life of the machine.
Thanks again, Gerry

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Gerald,

@GeraldPerry

3 - I have not checked wiring connectors as yet. I will be checking with a multimeter shortly.

Note that usual cable breaks or connector problems that come from motion of the cables and of motion and/or corrosion on the connectors over time can “hide” in the moment you measure, and only appear when motion is there again

@GeraldPerry

2 - This is a 2+ year old machine with a new controller (3 months old).
[…]
5) It manifest itself in intermittent and apparent random events
I have lost several pieces of expensive wood due to “gremlins” which I have failed to identify

You will find some weaknesses and problems that typically show up only after a certain time of operation, and you will find to where to look at, if you follow the links that I have provided above. I hope this is of help!

@GeraldPerry

You have given me some direction in a number of areas and a quicker approach to researching the Onefinity forum site.

That’s what I try to do if I have the time

But in fact I just keep a good collection of bookmarks, that I can quickly paste into my answer.

I encourage people this way to realize that there is a lot already there and using the search function is only time-consuming if your search terms are weak. Many people enter one simple search term, often a single word, and think they have to go through all the hits. What works better, is to see if the first hit is the right one, and if not, immediately add additional, more specific words or terms and repeat the search until you get better hits, until finally the right hit is at the top.

---

PS:

@GeraldPerry

(Jog Pane - a new term to me’)

– Source: Onefinity Controller Software Manual

This is one of the things that Onefinity made better, by putting it prominently on the first page. On the original Buildbotics.com controller firmware, it is hidden in the “Jog Tab” in the tabbed section.

– Source: Buildbotics Controller Manual

[GeraldPerry (GAP)]

Thanks again for all the encouraging feedback.
Gerry