M3000 Troubleshooting
1. Controller Does not Power Up:
? Check to see if the E-stop is Clear / Not depressed.
? Is the Remote E-stop is connected or jumper plug is installed. In the M3000 software all models
need the e-stop or the jumper.
? Check machine wiring that may have caused a direct power short.*
? Check E-stop Connections: with the power off, remove the cover on the remote E-stop, check to see that the wires are seated firmly. Reseat and Test.
? Mains Fuse in the Power Cord Connection: Check for fuse 5AMP Anti Surge for 110V
*Maybe a short caused damage to the controller. Changing the fuses may not be a fix to the real issue.
In particular on the LD2 (P5020) and P13030 handhelds, the wiring real estate is very confined we have found the wiring had broken and shorted. New production items will have a different wiring but inspect for
shorts on older units – in particular the LD2.
2. Controller Powers Up but Marking Head does not move under Power.
? Check the cabling from the head to the controller, switch power off, remove, check pins for bent or
Broken pins, Make sure it is plugged in HEAD port not the Z/C port. Reseat and Test
? Check all cabling connections. If they appear to be seated and do not work under power, shut off the controller and remove each plug and inspect the pins and female connections. Reseat and test.
? Test Hardware Function in the Software: F10, F10, F3, F4 see service manual for assistance.
3. Motors Turning but not Finding Home Sensor
? Test Hardware Function in the Software: F10, F10 F3, F4 This is a test to see if the sensor is faulty.
Move the X axis back to the home position in the software you should see the X prox sensor change from 0 to 1 when it reaches the home position. Do the same for the Y axis. If one of them is staying on 0 you can conclude the sensor has failed.
As a temporary measure (LCD software only) go to Configure Hardware, F10, F10, F3, F7 set the prox switch that is not working from PNP to NONE. Manually move the marking head to the home position and power up and test.
4. Functionality is Normal but the Quality of the Mark Suffers but not related to Pin Fire Functions (To perform these tests; remove the top cover of column and integrated markers.)
? With the power off, use the drive pulleys in the X and Y axis and move the carriage from end to end. Note any tightness or change in “drag”. In 2068 models the alignment of the bearing rails
may need adjustment or it could be as simple as proper lubrication.
? In model 2068 the lead screw backlash is controlled by a lead screw nut and spring, tighten this nut and test by hand and under power.
? In some cases the pulley may be slipping on the shaft. The easiest way to check this is to bring the axis lead screw all the way to the end opposite home. Use a wide jaw pliers to turn the pulley against the end stop. Did the pulley turn? If so we need to tighten the locking system.
Page 2 Monode Basic Training in Service Trouble Shooting
5. Auto Touch Often Fails and requires a Retry (As related to the M3000 Column mounted
Series of markers.)
? Although there is fix for this problem we are not sure of the serial numbers of machines with the problems . If this is the reported issue, call the service department for a factory fix, easily installed in the field.
By removing the pin fire solenoid from the mounting plate you will note a recess with a rubber bumper. The problem is that in some machine this does not stick out far enough. There is a replacement that can be supplied by Monode and retrofit in the field.
? Pin nose configuration needs to be checked. In the new 3000 series markers the brass pin nose is
Now a two piece construction of brass and steel ring. The steel has a helping effect in the auto touch off sequence. Make sure the unit you are viewing has that type of pin nose guide.
6. Mark Quality Suffers from Solenoid or Pin Spring Related Issues.
? Inspect the solenoid assembly, is it tight to the mounting plate and all screws in place?
? Inspect the body of the solenoid, any excessive wear inside?
? Remove the pin nose assembly and slug, inspect the slug inside and out? Any wear of note?
? Inspect the pin nose housing, clean and lubricate. (light machine oil, recommend daily)
? Has the pin spring been replaced on a regular basis? (recommended every six months).
? Re – assemble: Check programmed parameters for force setting, gap and speed in relationship to
material hardness and mark quality.
7. Calibration of the Z Offset – machines with auto touch off only in which the set
Z gap does not measure as set. (Note this is for the embedded software.) If your customer complaint is the Z gap is not consistent – this is the fix.
? To set the Z- Gap: F10 – F3 XY and Z Offset, Select Z Gap. Set the Z gap the distance from the material you want the tip of the pin away. In a programmed file, setup the Auto touch off and run
A T=”Trial Run”. Measure the set offset – does it measure what you set? If not:
? Calibrate the Slug Offset in Hardware Configuration: F10, F10, F3, F7 Slug Offset
If the Z Gap is two great increase the value of the slug offset, recheck as above. Move the value of slug offset up or down until the Z gap measures to the setting.
Note: this is a universal setting and does not need to be addressed at each file.
Page 3 Monode Basic Training in Service Trouble Shooting
8. Using the BACKUP RESTORE Utility: If a customer wants to protect his files with a backup or prepare files to be shared by another like machine this utility makes it easy. First advise your customer to open his controller to the machine configuration and record any global speeds and machine configuration settings. Using pc or laptop with internet capability go to the below web site and get the Back-Up Restore Utility. Unzip and save the folder in the PC you can connect to the controller.
*Note: the utility uses a serial port connection. Lots of new pcs and laptops do not come with a standard serial port. The USB to serial adapters usually work, but be prepared to have some patience.
On the computer that the Backup Restore utility program has been loaded on to,
1. Connect the 9-9 pin Null modem Serial Cable supplied between the serial port of the computer and Com Port A on the Pryor marking controller.
2. Open up the Backup Restore utility on the PC.
3. In your marking controller; Go to the Backup Restore menu by pressing F10, F10, F2 from the main menu. This should open dialog from the controller to the PC.
4. Within the utility press “Backup”.
5. Once the backup is completed, click “File” then “Save” Be sure to save the file to a location and under a name that can easily be remembered.
To restore files to this or another controller follow the next steps in sequence.
1. Connect her 9-9 pin Null modem Serial Cable supplied between the serial port of the computer and Com Port A on the Pryor marking controller.
2. Open up the Backup Restore utility on the PC.
3. In your marking controller; Go to the Backup Restore menu by pressing F10, F10, F2 from the main menu. This should open dialog from the controller to the PC.
4. Within the utility press “Restore”.
9. Downloading New Firmware into a Pryor Controller Using the
Application Downloader Utility
Connect your PC to the internet and download “Application Downloader Utility”
This program is used for the downloading of .bin files to the Pryor controller from a computer.
It is advisable to carry out a backup of all layouts off the controller prior to carrying out an upgrade. It is also advisable to record settings such as speeds and configuration settings prior to carrying out the upgrade.
To download the file use the following procedure.
On the computer that the Application download program has been loaded on to,
1. Connect the 9-9 pin Null modem Serial Cable supplied between the serial port of the computer and Com Port A on the Pryor marking controller.
2.Open up the Application download program
3.Click on the “open” icon and select the .bin file we have supplied (example: V15.50)
Note: this or a version you need may be emailed to you.
4.Once the file has been opened then switch on the Pryor Controller with the F10 key on the keyboard pressed down.
5.Once powered up it should display a screen showing Application code upgrade. Download code when ready.
6.Select the Download icon on the program. The code should now download in to the controller. It will take approx 5 minutes.
Once the code has downloaded the controller will automatically re-boot in to its menu. The settings that were documented before downloading the software will now need to be restored.