LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Has anyone ever seen this issue?

I'm running a program that includes some scan and cut layers. Nothing really complicated. Around 1/3rd of the way through, while it is doing a vector cut, the head just freezes in one position (like it's being held mechanically) and then continues moving and cutting the file. The odd thing is that when it keeps moving, the origin changes (again, like it has been held physically, and the stepper has slipped on the belt, but doesn't have feedback, so isn't able to adjust.) I have checked for obstructions and can't seem to find anything. I've run the program three times and it stops every time in the same place. However, the head moves through that area several other times throughout the file and doesn't stop with an obstruction??? Just to double check, I ran the head over that spot several times and there is nothing stopping it. I've also checked the .rld file to see if the geometry is messed up somehow, and can't see anything out of order. Video attached.

Looking for any help I can get.

Check the belt for a broken cog on the belt.

One other thing to check is a movement test - with the laser completly de-energized move the gantry and head by hand and determine if you can feel anything that is differnt during movment in the area you are experiencing the fault.

I'll give that a shot. Pretty sure at this point that it's a software or program issue. Wish there was a way to inspect the .rd file I actually load on the Ruida Controller to see if there was a problem there.

Unfortunately there was no smoking gun mechanically. The gantry is driven on the y axis via a tight drive belt. There are no missing teeth. Same on the drive cogs. Still looking...

Unfortunatly I suspect since there is no mechanical binding either your controller is the issue or the file.
Can you recreate a new file from scratch and run to see if the head does the same thing?
That would prove the file is the issue and or prove or eliminate the controller is the issue.

I'll give that a shot.

I re-wrote the file and discovered the same problem, but in a different location... And that's what unveiled the smoking gun... I was driving the gantry around at 350mm/s between vectors. I think it was just getting stuck. Maybe jamming up because of the acceleration, or maybe something with the steppers when trying to drive that fast. Not sure exactly, but when I slowed down the speed to 300mm/s presto.

Glad you were able to work it out and really happy your controller is not the issue