Stepper not working.

[Transformer]

On my recently CNC'd lathe I was trying out the OD Groove wizard in Mach3. As the cut began with the tool moving forward in the X axis the motor stalled and I hit the emergency stop on the controller.

Now the X axis motor will not respond to Mach3 nor will the keyboard jogging keys make the motor respond. The Z axis motor behaves normally. When I try and run a program the readout in Mach3 on the screen for the X axis changes but the motor does not turn. There is power getting to the X axis motor as it locks up when the controller is on, but I can hand turn it when the power is off. The Z axis motor responds to the program running in Mach3 and to keyboard jogging. I get no error messages on the screen.

Did I fry the stepper or ? All suggestions appreciated.

[DICKEYBIRD]

Switch the motor wiring at the driver & if the problem stays with motor, you have connection or motor problems. If it changes, you probably have drive problems.

[Sparky_NY]

If the motor locks up when the power is on as you say, then it is developing holding torque. That would mean it was very unlikely that the motor or its drive went bad. As strange as it seems, the more likely cause is a broken wire or bad connection on the step or direction line somewhere along its path. Also possible is a blown fuse feeding your breakout board if you have one.

Stalling a stepper is very common and almost always only results in missed steps with no other harm done.

George

[andywander]

I'm assuming you tried shutting down and restarting Mach3?

[Transformer]

Restarted Mach3, same problem.

Swapped the leads from the steppers to the controller back and forth and forth and back, same problem. Then I put everything back the way it was to do some more noodleing on the problem and now everything is working. It is like some of the bits and pieces felt ignored and unappreciated, but once they got my undivided attention they were happy to go back to work.

Thanks for your help.

[Sparky_NY]

Restarted Mach3, same problem.

Swapped the leads from the steppers to the controller back and forth and forth and back, same problem. Then I put everything back the way it was to do some more noodleing on the problem and now everything is working. It is like some of the bits and pieces felt ignored and unappreciated, but once they got my undivided attention they were happy to go back to work.

Thanks for your help.

Certainly sounds like a bad connection. As mentioned, more than likely on the step or direction line for that axis.

[R.Bolte.Jr]

Garrett Brown, inventor of the Steadicam, was fond of quoting, "If you are troubleshooting any piece of gear that involves a cable in any way, 90% of the time, its the cable."