Denford Software & Machines

Hello,

I've just started a new job as an IT tech at a college, there's an old (march 2000) Denford Microrouter in the machine shop that apparently 'Hasn't worked in ages', I'm in the process of trying to find out if it can work but I don't know aa great deal about CNC machines!

Everything appears to power up etc, the software on the connected PC is version 2.23 but it appears that someone has zeroed out all the settings in the 'Router' machine properties editor. So if you try to home the machine, each axis moves right to the end of it's physical range then hits the end and tries to carry on, just hitting the end and humming.

The z axis in particular hits the end and continues counting down in minus forever.

Anyone got any ideas? Apologies for being vague!

First thing to do then is download and install the newest version v2.31
here: https://www.website.denford.ltd.uk/suppo ... -downloads

Make a note of the currently selected machine name (from machine parameters)

Cheers, tryed that, trouble is I have no original disks and no dongle on the thing so I can't activate the newer software!

Is it currently on DOS or VRMilling v2.xx ?

If there is already a machine with VR milling working, then all you need to do is find the flash code embedded in the text file ..\program files\denford\windmill.ini

Please refer to this post.

If the software is installed you can retrieve the licence code. If you have lost it it needs to be repurchased.

You would not have a dongle but a DVD case that contains the software CD and a 3 1/2" floppy with the licence code on it.


viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2543

There are no settings that could be changed to make it home incorrectly. The machine just drives to the home switch then backs off and stops.

You say the Z axis is driving down towards the table. This would indicate the Z home switch is either full of dust or faulty or the machine type is incorrectly set.

If you are running VR Milling 2 look at the blue banner at the top of the screen and the machine type will be displayed here. Make sure it matches the machine type you have (check the black serial number lable) this will tell you the software type and machine type.

I would vacuum the Z datum switch while manually clicking it then try and home it up again.