DDCS 3.1 problems

JefferyC

I just installed a DDCS 3.1 that I bought a few months ago on a router table.  I have two of these controllers on other machines that have worked fine for several years.  I'm having several very odd problems with this new control.   
1)  The MPG moves only the X axis at one speed.  It moves with the estop engaged, the side button NOT pushed, the axis switch turned OFF, the 1/10/100 switch turned to anything.  No matter what the MPG switches are set to, it will move and only move the X axis.  If I go to the settings menu, the MPG wheel scrolls up and down the settings menu.  The pendant is factory wired.  I opened the plug and the pendant and verified all the wiring is correct.  The X, Y, Z buttons on the control panel of the DDCS 3.1 all work as they should.

2)  I decided to do some test program runs to see if the control works.  It did work properly initially.  After the first 2 runs, the Z axis started loosing steps.  I decided to run the following code to see how much of a loss there is.  


G90
G20
G0 Z0
G0 Z16
G0 Z0
G0 Z16
G0 Z0
G0 Z16
G0 Z0
G0 Z16
M30

When I run the above code.  The machine goes to Z15 pauses, turns on the spindle to 20,000RPM, then raises Z to 100+ (it hits the top stop and just keeps running).  There is nothing in the file about Z15, nor is there anything about turning on the spindle!  It's somehow getting these settings from something in the DDCS control memory.

I try to zero all axis, but the Z will not zero.  It just stays at Z15, like it thinks it's at zero already.  I use the tab option to enter mach coordinates (past g54, g55 etc to g59 then Mach).  I can set all axis to zero there.  I run the above file again and Z goes back to 15 pauses, turns on the spindle then Z goes to the top stop until I hit the e-stop button,.

I've updated the firmware to the latest version and no change to the issues.  This is quite frustrating as the moves don't make any sense!  It almost seems like there's some code stuck in it's memory that it won't release.  I've read in the manual that this controller has power loss recovery, which I'm suspecting has something to do with the problem.  (personally I think having power out auto recover is a VERY bad idea.  It basically eliminates a reboot from clearing any memory problems.  Since it SAVES everything between power off reboots!)  Is there a way to reset the internal gcode memory without resetting all the controller settings?  (or remove the power off recovery feature?)

I've contacted the company I bought the DDCS 3.1 from on Ebay, but they are useless.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

JefferyC

Now that I think about it.  I think the 2nd problem started after I hit the e-stop (power off e-stop) when the Z was crashing!

JefferyC

Now that I think about it.  I think the 2nd problem started after I hit the e-stop (power off e-stop) when the Z was crashing!  I'm convinced the power off recovery in the controller is causing these problems.

Jeff