Error when performing automatic stylus change

[[Ma...]]

I have 4 probe holders on our Micura. Within the last week and a half we are experiencing an error and the drives kicking off when during a program it goes to change a stylus.

It stops at the very quick slight pause before it enters the probe holder. It will stop at the same spot at any of the 4 probe holders.

It does not happen all the time, but we've seen up to 4 or 5 times in an 8 hour shift.

It also doesn't happen only when a program is running. It will happen occasionally as well when I perform and automatic stylus change.

This is the error we're getting.

I thought maybe over time since it always pauses at this location in the cycle when it picks up or drops off a stylus maybe it created somewhat of a "wear spot".

I have cleaned the granite and also moved the stylus rack about 1/4 inch forward and reset the holder locations and it is still happening.

Is there anything else I can try or look into?

[[Pa...]]

Without seeing everything, I'll take a guess.  I assume your rack is at the extreme Y+ end of the table, though mine run along the X+ side (huge machines).

Triple check that your approach parameters make sense.  Open the automatic stylus change rack, select "changer", and approach parameters.  Our biggest mysteries occur when an operator gets curious and makes changes without communicating.

Try a full shutdown if you guys don't do it all the time.  Perhaps the homing run will tidy up the movement to and from.

Otherwise, I'd put in a ticket.  I've had the same Accura going into the same 25 pockets since 2008.  There's no wear or strange behavior that isn't found and corrected during annual calibrations.  

[[Ma...]]

Thanks for the reply Pat.

I had tried everything you mentioned short of putting in a service ticket.

I had slightly changed the approach parameters to pause further in the -Y direction thinking that might help and it seemed like it may have been working better, until it didn't.

Perhaps its time to put that ticket in.

[[Ky...]]

To me, without seeing the machine of course, this looks like maybe the racks are too far in the +Y? "SMS_LIMIT" sounds like it might be complaining about the limits of the machine. Can you move the probe above your racks and move it all the way to the back of the +Y and see if it can actually reach all the way back there?

[[Ma...]]

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Hello Kyle,

It does drive back slightly behind the rack in the +Y. We have had this rack in this position for about 3 years. Never experienced this before.

I did notice today that if I turn the speed down on the controller to about 3/4 the speed instead of all the way up when it is doing a stylus change, I don't get the error.

I have changed the movement speed in our common every shift programs from 300 mm/s to 100 mm/s and so far I haven't gotten the error.

I know this isn't the fix but more of a band-aid to hopefully keep us running.