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Note about axis motion, servo errors, and position display

The servo error screen comes up when the control sees that the axis is not keeping up with its command for motion.  The control is always comparing where it is and where it is commanded to be.  The difference is called "Following Error".  If the difference is greater than .2" the control turns off the servos and shows the error screen.

The position display on the control screen shows the commanded position, NOT the axis location.  If the axis servo is either defective or the thermal overload is tripped the axis is not moving when commanded to jog.  If you jog slow or medium you will see the commanded position change even though the axis is not moving.  When the display reaches .2" the control faults.

Servo error when you try to jog

  • Press "ESC", this will reset the control. If the control shuts down again when you try to jog the axis go to the next step.

  • A tripped thermal overload is the most common cause. It is from over-travelling the slide and hitting the hard stop.  Check the two thermal overloads. These are located on the rear panel of the CNC. It can take a few minutes for the overload to cool enough to be reset. Press “Esc” and try to jog again.

  • Turn the control off, wait 15 seconds, turn the control on again. This will reset the Servo driver card. If the control shuts down again when you try to jog, go to the next step.

  • Check for loose motor cable; set power off: then disconnect and reconnect.

Servo error problem with only one axis

  • Turn the control off and swap the cables to the motors: Z to X and X to Z.

  • When you try to jog in Z: the X motor should move; when you try to jog in X: the Z motor should move.

  • Turn the control back on and try to jog each axis.  The problem will either stay with the axis motor or control axis.  IE if the problem was the X axis before and now with the cable swapped the X axis motor is still bad, then it is the motor.  If it is not the motor, then it is in the control.

  • Next check if the problem is a servo amp.

  • Power down the control, swap your motor cables back to normal

  • Swap both cables on the servo amps, they are the same. So now the axes are being driven by the other amp.  If the problem stays with the amp it is either out of tune or bad.

  • If you have questions about this procedure: call the factory (541-332-7004) or Richlin (631-694-9400)

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