Fanucsmd DOS software will not load.

[cskipper]

I have a Micromill IST with the smartstep 3 controller. The ROM label says esMint 3.28 v1.6h/S-JD5. I am using the Fanucsmd DOS software that I downloaded from the Denford site. The machine came with the software manual.

The machine has a LED with a 7 then a blinking dot (.).

I have not been able to get the software to completely pull up. It trys to load then it says it removed the keyboard & COM1 drivers then error 128.

What do I need to do for the software to connect? What should the Fanucsmd.GO file look like?

I do have another Micromill IST that I can connect to just fine except the Z axis hums and does not move most of the time.
Thanks,

Carl

[Denford Admin]

I notice that one of the orange motor connectors (on the top right) looks to be pulled out slightly

Not sure about the error 128, but there have been other posts on this, eg:
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=2545&hilit=error+128

[cskipper]

Yes! I have pushed it back in since I took the pictures. Also the 9 pin connector is removed to take a better picture.

Thanks,

Carl

[cskipper]

This is what the Fanucsmd software is doing:

A:\FANUCSMD>fanucsmd
DENFORD FANUC MILLING CNC programming (v2.103) 22 September 1999
IBM RS232 DRIVER (RS232) 25 March 1992
MACHINE installed
IBM for FANUC KEYBOARD DRIVER (KBD) 16 July 1993
KEYBOARD DRIVER removed
RS232 DRIVER removed

Error <128> Software aborted

A:\FANUCSMD>
----------------------

Need help to know how to get the software loaded & connected!

Carl

[Martin]

Have you got the correct go file?

[Denford Admin]

Even though we could post a standard .go file, it still may not match the PC you are using, so its probably best to look at these posts and try to work out what the .go file should contain:



Different .GO files for DOS FLSTEP Software
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=740

Desk top tutor software on a different number serial port
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=296

Can I operate my DOS machine software from a QWERTY keyboard
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=59

Denford FANUC Milling and Turning Offline and Desk Top Tutor
viewtopic.php?t=1084

How do I change which COM ports my DOS machine software uses
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=58

[cskipper]

I am using the Fanucsmd.GO file. It this correct?

I will look at the posts and try them and let you know.

Also on the other Micromill IST machine I have the Z axis does not turn but hums loud! It has the Next Move controller. When I home the machine it does this but after it is homed I can jog the Z axis and it works just fine up or down. What can be the problem?

Thanks for your help!

Carl

[Denford Admin]

Also on the other Micromill IST machine I have the Z axis does not turn but hums loud! It has the Next Move controller. When I home the machine it does this but after it is homed I can jog the Z axis and it works just fine up or down. What can be the problem?

I'm a bit lost here - you say it does not turn but hums - then after it homes it jogs fine up or down

[cskipper]

I try to home the machine and its move a few mm's then stops and hums loud. Then I hit "esc" button and it stops humming. Then I try to home it again and go through the same process over and over until it gets home. Then it will jog just fine!

Carl

[Denford Admin]

Ok - that sounds like the Z is stalling - possibly due to the gib strips tightening up when Z is going up, and loosening off when it's able to go down.

See this post for more info:
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1419&p=4773

[cskipper]

I have removed the spindle motor and it has the same problem.

I will check out the gibs.

Carl

[cskipper]

I have disconnected the Z axis motor from the lead screw and found
out the motor still stalls when trying to go home even when disconnected from the lead screw.

Is the problem the motor or controller? What other test could I do?

Carl

[Denford Admin]

I'd rule out motor or drive by swapping the orange motor connectors.
You might have to remove the little black coding pins (that stop you connecting the motor to the wrong axis) on the orange connectors...

[Martin]

The smarstep cards don't have any coding pins so can be interchanged easily.

[cskipper]

The Micromill ISTwith the motor stalling has a Next Move controller. I may need to move this to another topic.

The one with the DOS software connection problem has the Smartstep controller.

Carl

[cskipper]

I changed out the motors between Z & X axis. When I did this BOTH Z & X motors stalled!

Then I changed them back to correct axis and again both motors are now stalling.

They both hum and do not turn. In this state I can turn both motors by hand.

What is the problem?

Carl

[cskipper]

I have foud out my software I downloaded from the Denford website was causing the Z axis to stall on the machine with the Next Move controller. I reloaded the older VR Milling software I got with the machine and it works just fine!

So now I will work to get the Micromill with the DOS software problem working. It has the Next Step controller.

How much is the key for the VR Milling v5 software?

Carl
USA

[Denford Admin]

I don't understand how you've got it working with V2 VR Milling - do you mean the DOS software ?
The esMint chip on the Denstep board you've shown will only run with DOS control s/w

In theory you could upgrade the control board to let it run from V5 VR Milling, but it's possibly too expensive to be worthwhile.
Contact sales denford co uk and they'll put you in touch with your nearest agent that may be able to offer a cheaper chip-only upgrade

[cskipper]

I have 2 Micromills IST's.
One has the SmartStep/3 controller witch I cannot get the DOS software to connect to the machine.

The other has a Next Move ST controller. It now works with the older VR Milling that came with the mill. I think the Next Move ST controller will work with VR Milling V5.

So now I will get back to working on the Micromill with the SmartStep controller.

Carl

[Denford Admin]

Ah sorry, I see now.

If that machine has the green 7-segment led baldor, then it will run VR Milling 5.
Saying that, I'm worried why a newer version of Version 2 made the axes hum, it should have worked ok - I'm guessing the wrong machine was selected and the steps-per-mm rate was wrong.
ie, the software thought the machine was microstepping so it output 10x as many steps as it needed to (normally this would cause a high pitched buzz from the motors)