Problem
This troubleshooting article applies only to post 2020 machines
If the machine is not operating and the” information light” at the rear status panel of the machine and the firmware LED on the logic board flashes with the following eight-bit pattern as described here:
0000 1000 x-axis
0000 1001 y-axis
0000 1010 z-axis
Where 0 indicates a short pulse which is 1/4 second and 1 indicates a long pulse which is 1 second long.
This will be displayed in MotorScope as a “Stall Fault”. This means that the machine doesn’t move even though the motor is powered. This error can occur on all three axis but the debugging procedure is always the same.
Solution
The following items provide step by step instructions on how to break down the cause of the issue:
Put the machine in E-Stop and push the affected axis manually. Compare the feel to when the machine is in standby. A strong braking should be felt when the machine is in standby.
If the braking is weak (compare to working axes), or intermittent, then one of the following has a hardware issue:
Motor Cable
Motor
Amplifier Board
When the machine is running and in idle, push the affected axis. It should servo to resist motion.
If the axis is very easy to push, then one of the following has a hardware issue:
Motor Cable
Motor
Amplifier Board
Cable between the Logic Board and Amplifier Board
Logic Board
It is also possible for a Stall Fault to occur when the drive or axis is completely jammed up. If the axis is very difficult to push by hand when the machine is off, this is the case.
check the lead screw or band drive and contact Micro-Vu support for cleaning instructions
If clearing the Stall Fault causes another axis to jump:
The motor or encoder cables are mixed up between axes.
Push the axes and watch whether the encoder values in MotorScope correspond correctly.
Put the machine in E-Stop and unplug each motor cable in turn to make sure that the braking corresponds correctly.
If the Stall Fault stops occurring with certain motors disconnected:
There is a short somewhere in the motor, cable or Amplifier Board:
With the machine off, check for electrical continuity between the motor leads and the chassis of the machine. It should be an open circuit.
If not, there is a short. Unplug the machine immediately and contact the Micro-Vu support!
A more detailed article for a Excel can be found here:
