Denford Software & Machines

Hi everyone, new to this forum but looks like alot of information is available, however i cant seem to find anything on my problem...

I have just purchased a Denford Microrouter and im having some issues with the X axis and the X axis home switch.

When homing i am unable to home the X and it just makes a horrid noise as if its doing single steps - but there is a twist! Whilst the X axis is traveling towards the home switch, the switch fails to stop the axis and continues (slowly) to try and run off the bed.

Y, Z are fine and home with no problems.

personally i think someone before me has had an attempt to convert it to mach3 and maybe played about with some wires..? as the mach3 software is installed but fails to move the machine.

I have done a little video for you guys below, the first two noises you hear is the Z and Y homing successfully, but as you will see the x is making a horrid single step type noise and the switch fails.

you can view the video here > https://youtu.be/Dudpb_M5XvQ

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Might be a bit of an obvious one but have you actually checked the switch works? Have you checked it with a multi meter?

Trace the wires back to the control board and try putting a short across the contacts at that point. that would prove the cable/switch.

Pete

Thanks for the reply. I tried tracing them but not sure which are the limit switch on the board. Wires change colour and type as it leaves the router unit.

Main issue is the x axis

VRMilling should show the status of datum switches when you are in the home tab. If you press the switch in you should seen it display a X below the large home buttons. You can check with the Y & Z switches.

I must admin I've never seen that...

What version of VRMilling are you running?

Its version 2.31.3.951

It looks like the feature was added to VRMilling version 5.33. I thought it was a lot earlier.


viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3587

thanks for that, is there a way to upgrade to this version i.e free download without loosing my license in the software?

No, Version 5 is a new product & is chargeable.

Have you tried winding the x lead screws with the power off to make sure its not binding up? Open the guard and then press estop the slide shoutd them move if you twist the screws.

Also have you tried the secret home function to see if you can bypass the home routine and then see if the x jogs.

I would also take a measurement of continuity on the X datum switch input on the control card. with the power off you should see the resistance change from open to short circuit as you press and release the micro switch. I suspect this could be the problem otherwise the machine would stop trying to move when you manually press the switch.

Thanks for the reply,

I have had my multi meter on the X datum points on the the board. when its not pressed it reads 0.00v and when pressed it goes to 5v.

Ive also taken the switch off and tested it on my other machine and all is fine there.

Where can i find this secret home button in my version?

sorry the X axis moves very smooth when the motors are disengaged. with no resistance.

I suspect there is a fault with the X motor wiring then.

The link below shows the secret home

This will at least let you jog the Y and Z axes and see if the X works or not.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53

I would try measuring on ohms with the power off the phase resistance of each of the axes motors. All should be the same.

You could also switch the X and Y motors over on the drive card and then see if the drive or motor is at fault.

Just added to link to circuit diagrams.

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4800