Category: Troubleshooting & Repair

Instructions for Installing PCB to A06B-6059-H001/4 and A06B-6060-H001/7 Spindle Drives

Brian Hughes Leave a comment

The following is a list of instructions for installing the these Spindle Drives with the A16B-1100-0200 Spindle Drive PCB:

And these Spindle Drives with the A16B-1100-0241 Spindle Drive PCB:

  • A06B-6060-H001
  • A06B-6060-H002
  • A06B-6060-H003
  • A06B-6060-H004
  • A06B-6060-H005
  • A06B-6060-H006
  • A06B-6060-H007

fanuc cnc

Instructions:

  1. Make sure the jumpers on the new spindle PCB match the jumpers on your old spindle PCB.
  2. Remove the software chips from the old spindle PCB and install them onto the new spindle PCB.
  3. If possible, remove the NVRAM chip from the old spindle PCB and install it onto the new spindle PCB. This way you will not have to reprogram the chip as the new spindle will have the same instructions as the previous one.

It is very important to follow the manual and make sure that the chips and cards you are moving around are installed correctly. For instance, if you were to incorrectly install the software chips, not only would the display not show anything, you are leaving open the possibilities for a short and causing yourself even more trouble.

Sometimes you may not have the necessary equipment to make a diagnosis on your motor, but we do. MRO Electric and Supply offers high quality repair services on all motors and spindle drives so you don’t have to worry about it. Please take a look at our website to see all available brands and parts we can service for you. Our rebuilds for these size drives usually only take 2-3 days, which includes rebuilding the part, painting the part, and fully testing the part to ensure top quality. By getting your part back to you as soon as possible, you are able to minimize downtime, and by doing the job right you can have peace of mind knowing that your FANUC drive will now work properly and not be the reason for downtime in the future.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished FANUC CNC parts available. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Setting the Sensor Gap on your Fanuc Spindle Motor

Brian Hughes Leave a comment

Today we will be helping you with your installation of a spindle motor. Alarms are caused by tensions issues with the belt – either being too tight or too loose in relation to the sensor. MRO Electric and Supply offers both new and refurbished FANUC Spindle amps, troubleshooting on our blog for a wide variety of parts, and repair services on any product we offer.

Steps for fixing the sensor gap

  1. Disconnect the wiring inside of the terminal box.
  2. Next take out the 4 bolts that hold the shroud/fan to the motor.
  3. Remove the screws from the cover of the sensor on the motor.
  4.  Loosen the screws holding the sensor in place until you have enough room to be able to slide a piece of paper between the gear and sensor.
  5. Tighten the 2 screws that hold the sensor in place to make sure they do not rub against each other at all.
  6. Fasten the sensor cover back to the sensor and tighten accordingly.
  7. Reattach the shroud and the fan to the motor.
  8. Configure the wiring back to what it was originally.

fanuc cnc

Now that the sensor for your FANUC Spindle amp is corrected, it should work properly. If you are still having issues we recommend looking throughout our blog as we have many articles based on helping the user troubleshoot any and all issues with their motor.

Sometimes you may not have the necessary equipment to make a diagnosis on your motor, but we do. MRO Electric and Supply offers high quality repair services on all motors so you don’t have to worry about it. Please take a look at our website to see all available brands and parts we can service for you.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished FANUC CNC parts available. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Diagnosing your FANUC Current Alarm

Brian Hughes Leave a comment

If you are getting a high current alarm on your FANUC motor, it is going to be caused by either the motor itself, the drive, or a cable. To begin the process of figuring out which alarm you are receiving you must disconnect the leads from the motor. Try powering it up and look to see if the alarm LED is lit. Fanuc alarms include the HC LED, alarm 8/9/A/B for Servo motors, and alarm 12 for Spindle motors.

  • If you no longer are seeing an alarm, the motor is most likely bad.
  • If you have powered the motor and are receiving the alarm, the issue is most likely with the drive.

Because you have disconnected the leads from the motor, you are able to use an ohm meter/megger to monitor the power levels of the cable and motor, and make sure they are working as intended. Using a megger will help you decide if your motor is grounded correctly where an ohm reader will let you know if your motor has shorted.

Using your ohm meter check for shorts both leg-to-leg and leg-to-ground on each of the legs. The leg-to-leg readings should be consistently low between every leg while the leg-to-ground readings will stay open. The megger is used to check between the leg and ground to see if the problem could be with the terminal box on the motor or any cables connected to it.

Sometimes you may not have the necessary equipment to make a diagnosis on your motor or to troubleshoot, but we do. MRO Electric and Supply offers high quality repair services on all motors so you don’t have to worry about it. Check out our website to see all available brands and parts we can service for you.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished FANUC CNC parts available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Repairing your Modicon Magelis HMI

Brian Hughes 1 Comment

Any amount of downtime is too much for most companies. Parts will break from time to time, and repairs will be necessary. Here at MRO Electric and Supply we are dedicated to providing the best service making sure that your downtime is minimal. Human Interface Terminals(HMIs) are a crucial part of any automation process nowadays, so it is important to make sure it is working correctly. Along with selling both new and remanufactured products, MRO Electric and Supply offers both repair and exchange services.

modicon hmi

Modicon was the first manufacturer to release programmable logic controllers onto the market, and since have been one of the top brands for PLC’s. MRO Electric and Supply have all the parts necessary to run the Magelis HMI at it full potential, including panels, cables, controllers, adapters and any software that may be needed. Along with repairs, we handle installations and programming of drives and controllers so that you don’t have to.

We also offer the option to retrofit your old machines with newer interfaces for the most up-to-date applications and processes. By fitting existing HMI’s with new interfaces you are able to add years to the life span of your automation set up. It is a lot easier to update and fix your existing displays and HMIs than taking the time and money to purchase and fit new parts.

All of our repairs come with a 12 month guarantee. Our repair service is based on doing the right job, and getting your part back to you as soon as possible. Every part we refurbish is tested to make sure they work the way they are supposed to. Our factory-trained technicians have many years working with Modicon products.

For a free Modicon Magelis HMI repair quote, please email sales@mroelectric.com or call 800-691-8511.  For more information on our Modicon repair capabilities, you can visit our Modicon Repair page.
KUKA Controllers lineup

KUKA Error Codes

Joe Kaminski 4 Comments

 KUKA robotics offers a broad range of robotics controllers and other robotics parts for a variety of industries including CNC machining, surface processing, loading usage, and much more. One common challenge with operating robotics controllers is understanding what the error codes mean, that they display when they encounter an issue. Listed below are common KUKA error messages that you may encounter while troubleshooting issues with KUKA controllers. These codes are applicable to all KUKA controllers, including the KRC1, KRC2, KRC3, and the KRC4.

Common KUKA KRC1, KRC2, KRC3, and KRC4 Error Codes

Error Code 14 – SOFTPLC: @P1@

Error Code 284 – Accu–voltage at <kps number> below <voltage level> during last buffering

  • Cause
    • The accu voltage was too low at the last switch off to buffer the
      shutdown.
    • The accu is not charged correctly anymore.
    • The accu is too old or broken.
  • Effect
    • Eventually loss of reference.
    • Cold boot.
    • Active commands inhibited
  • Remedy
    • Exchange accu.

Error Code 310 – Safety Circuit for drives not ready

  • Cause
    • Safety circuit is telling drives not to move.
    • Faulty X11
    • Faulty ESC board
    • Faulty KPS 600
  • Remedy
    • Check ESC monitor and other messages to narrow down the root cause with the safety circuit
    • Replace faulty components

Error Code 364 – Unknown operation mode

  • Possible Cause
    • Faulty KPS 600 Drive
  • Remedy
    • Replace KPS 600

Error Code 420 – Local protective stop (QE)

    • Possible Cause
      • Faulty KPS600 Drive
    • Remedy
      • Replace KPS600

Error Code 1033 – ERROR ON READING, DRIVER: ** **

Error Code 1034 – ERROR ON WRITING, DRIVER: ** **

Error Code 1133 – GEAR TORQUE EXCEEDED AXIS

  • Cause
    • The calculated gear torque is larger than the maximum permissible gear torque.
  • Monitor
    • Cyclic in interpolation cycle.
  • Effect
    • Motion and program are stopped.
  • Remedy
    • Reteach points.

Error Code 1239 – ACKN. SYNCHRONISATION ERROR DRIVE

Error Code 1376 – ACTIVE COMMANDS INHIBITED

  • Cause
    • A message which causes the active commands to be inhibited has been set.
  • Monitor
    • In command processing.
  • Effect
    • Command is not executed.
  • Remedy
    • Acknowledge active messages in the message window.

Error Code 2029 – SYNTAX ERROR IN KUKA MODULE

Error Code 2135 – NAME NOT DECLARED AS SUBROUTINE

Error Code 6502 – Error during reading INI file init/iosys.ini 1

  • Remedy
    • Check iosys.ini file
    • Ensure correct DeviceNET driver is installed
    • Check data cable between robot / cabinet

Error Code 10053

  • Remedy
    • Check fan to ensure it isn’t vibrating. This could be causing the Mfc card to move into the motherboard’s slot.

To find more info about KUKA error codes, view KUKA’s manual below.

View the KUKA Manual

MRO Electric carries replacement KUKA Robotics parts such as teach pendants, drives, motors, and more. To request a quote, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Troubleshooting error codes on your KUKA controller?

We can help you resolve issues with your KUKA controllers. Whether you’re looking to repair your old controller or purchase a new one, we’re dedicated to keeping your automation systems running at their best!

Learn More About Our Repair Services
Shop Replacement KUKA Controllers

Maintaining Automation Machine Tools

Joe Kaminski Leave a comment

Properly maintaining automation machine tools and machine parts (such as Control Techniques Unidrives found here) is the only way to avoid issues from a performance and durability perspective. Whether it’s an attachment, cleaning or routine check-up, keeping machinery tools up-to-date is imperative. Monsterous losses could very well occur from a business and production standpoint if maintenance is not prioritized, which nobody wants to run into.

Machine Tools’ Lubrication:
 Lubrication is one of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to any automation machines. Generally, regularly inspecting lubrication levels is a great place to start. If you notice decreased lubrication levels throughout a period of time, be sure to schedule a weekly check-in and carefully monitor. Regularly protecting machines’ motors, including oiling and greasing of their moving parts, cannot be avoided.
Sharpen Key Parts

When concerning machine tools that feature components engineered for cutting, slicing, or chopping, ensuring their parts maintain their sharpness is a must. Consult with a specialist to determine if the machines’ parts are in proper condition, and also be sure that their parts are sharpened properly also.

Verify alignment specifications

Another strategy to maintain factory automation tools and parts (such as the Modicon Quantum CPU 140CPU43412A) is to ensure you’re aware of the appropriate verification of alignment specifications. Product or component misalignment may be detrimental to a machine’s performance. By performing a handful of test jobs to check the tools’ alignment, you’ll be able to adjust accordingly.

Examine the cleanliness

Ensure all machine tools are cleaned daily or weekly, depending on the user guides’ instructions. Machines often collect a large amount of dirt and filth when operated, which may result in long-term issues if not tended to appropriately.

Understand Correct Power Mode 

By routinely inspecting the working mode of machines and setting them to the appropriate power mode, issues can be avoided such as overworking a machine or running a machine too slowly, which could cause debris. Refer to the machine’s operating manual to understand appropriate power modes associated with specific machines.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon Quantum CPUs and Control Techniques Unidrives products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

plc

How to maintain a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

Joe Kaminski 2 Comments

Updated: June 2024

Proper maintenance of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) is crucial to ensuring they continue to function efficiently and reliably. Routine PLC maintenance involves tasks such as checking for wear and tear, replacing defective components, and consistently updating the software. This proactive approach not only extends the lifespan of PLCs but also helps in avoiding unexpected downtimes and costly repairs. Additionally, maintaining PLCs plays a key role in predictive maintenance, leveraging data and analytics to foresee potential equipment failures and schedule timely interventions. By adhering to a consistent maintenance routine, industries can enhance their operational efficiency and safeguard their investments in automation technology.

Why is PLC Maintenance Important?

PLCs (programmable logic controllers) are such an integral part of the automation world, and in turn a major contributor to the industrial market. Downtime can be incredibly costly, and finding parts for legacy units can be difficult and time consuming. (MRO Electric sells many legacy and discontinued automation components, from top brands) Therefore, properly maintaining your PLC can avoid unnecessary headaches and get the most life out of your units.

Pre-Maintenance Checklist

Before starting preventative maintenance on your PLC, make sure to do the following:

  1. Back up your PLC program prior to getting your hands dirty (it’s also a good idea to always keep a master copy of operating programs on hand).
  2. Follow proper lockout/tagout procedures.
  3. Remove power from the system. Power should always be off and unplugged during maintenance.
  4. Audit all parts in use.

PLC Maintenance Procedures

This is a good guidebook to use when performing preventive PLC maintenance:

  1. Check environmental factors / operating conditions. Humidity, temperature and other factors play an important role in the longevity and proper operation of your components. Be sure that these factors are consistently within the range of your PLCs optimal operating conditions.
  2. Clear debris, dust, and buildup from your units. A clean working environment for your PLC is a great way to prevent downtime. Also, dust getting to the circuit boards could cause a catastrophic short circuit.
  3. Clean or replace all filters installed in enclosures. This allows your PLC to get the maximum airflow and ensures consistency.
  4. Check all your connections for a tight fit, especially I/O modules. This is a very simple way to make sure everything is working smoothly. Also, a loose connection may cause lasting damage to your components.
  5. Inspect I/O devices for proper adjustments.
  6. Check LED battery indicators on the RAM memory module in the CPU. If the OK LED is on or flashing, replace the battery ASAP.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

  1. Calibrate circuit cards with process control analogs every 6 months.
  2. Service devices such as sensors every month.
  3. Never place other pieces of equipment that produce lots of noise or heat close to your PLC.

How to maintain a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

As many of us know, PLCs (programmable logic controllers) are staples in the factory automation world. In order to have them running optimally and as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is imperative. Generally, manufacturers produce PLCs to endure strenuous, unsterilized environments. By adhering to an adequate maintenance schedule, PLCs operating timeframe can be lengthened.

Protect your PLC

Always be on the lookout for corrosive and conductive contaminants that have the potential to become a detriment to a PLCs’ components. By completing visual inspections for black dust and blowing airborne particles from the PLC’s vicinity, you are lowering the likelihood of contamination.

Is power flowing?

A PLC will not operate correctly without adequate power. To avoid any operation bugs, remain vigilant of any surges or shorts.

Calibrate Analog Components

Always refer to the preventative maintenance schedule for any analog input device. Analog inputs need to be cleaned regularly and calibrated as accurately as possible.

Take EMI into consideration

EMI (electromagnetic interference) is known to cause horrible issues for PLCs without clearly indicating what the specific issue is or how to go about fixing it. To remain ahead of the game, many perform an audit of the local wiring to pinpoint potential EMI sources before they interfere with the operation of your PLC. Lower-level components and high-current wires often interfere with each other, which wiring designs must take into consideration.

Additional PLC Maintenance Tips

By creating a PLC maintenance checklist and adhering to it strictly, operating errors can likely be avoided. The space between the PLC and the machine it’s controlling should be minimal.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon PLC parts available here. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.