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3.6. Possible problems and solutions

Here is a list of common problems and possible solutions that we offer to our users. Your case may be the same mentioned below, then you will quickly find a solution, otherwise, send your questions with a detailed description of the problem to tech support:

Controller is not found in XiLab

Solution:

Comment to the diagram:

8SMC4-USB-B9-1 - one axis system
8SMC4-USB-B9-2 - two axes system

The following decision maps show the actions for different operating systems.

Windows:

Linux:

Comment to "Can't open device" problem solution:

When working with USB-... converter in Linux it appears as /dev/ttyUSB device. XiLab shows it in a list, but when you try to open it, an error "can't open device" occurs due to the lack of permissions to the device.

To solve this problem, create a file: /etc/udev/rules.d/31-ximc.rules and add the next line into it:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="067b", MODE="0666"

idVendor identifier can be found by executing lsusb command.

Mac OS:

Unable to rotate the motor by the controller

Controller has Alarm state

Click Stop in the main window of XiLab. Controller must return to its normal state. If this approach was not helpful and Alarm state emerged again, do the following:

  • Being in XiLab go to the Maximum ratings tab.
  • Mark Sticky Alarm flags option. Click Ок.
  • Press Stop in the main window of XiLab, it will temporary return controller to its normal state. Repeat the sequence of actions leading to Alarm state.
  • Make the screenshot of XiLab main window and send it to the technical support with detailed description of your problem.

Motor vibrates without rotation

This problem has several reasons:

  • Installed incorrect profile for your motor/stage.
    • Search for a better match for the title of profile used by your motorized stage in XiLab folder or refer to enxisupport.
    • It is recommended to save your current configuration to file. To do this, in the Settings window of XiLab click Save to file (see XiLab settings), choose path where you want to save the settings. Then send this file in technical support with detailed description of the problem.
  • Incorrect configuration of limit switches, as result the stage rests the limit switch. This can usually be seen by the indicator lights in XiLab.

    The main reason for the incorrect setting of limit switches is incorrect configuration file for your positioner (see previous item). Information about manual setting is located in manual profile setting. When such problem is emerged it is recommended to contact the technical support for further assistance.
    • It is also one of the consequences of problems with limit switches can be mechanical jamming (see the next item).
  • Broken winding of the motor, problems with bad contact in connector etc. It is possible to diagnose this kind of problems independently. For this purpose, we recommend to get XiLab graphs of voltage and current during the operation of motor. The proper motor current in the winding varies according to a sine or cosine. In the broken motor much stronger differences of the current from harmonic form can be noticed.

    Working case
    In the charts below you can see the problems. For example, winding B is open circuit. Probably it is broken. Also, voltage and current forms are distorted.

    There are problems with motor

To diagnose the problem set very low speed (1 s/sec is optimal) and send movement command. Then turn on graphs of current and voltage for windings A and B in XiLab (button Charts, then mark correspond fields). Wait for a while until the graphs are built. Then it is recommended to send them (Click Save in the same window with graphs) in technical support with a detailed description of the problem. Sometimes, when winding is broken, it is impossible to use XiLab due to permanent loss of device. In this case also contact technical support with description of the problem.

Mechanical jamming.

There are two ways to deal with jamming:

  • Turn the motorized stage by hands if it is possible.
  • Increase the winding current 2-3 times for a short time (about 5-10 seconds) and send movement command to the stage in the right direction at the low speed (about 50-100 s/sec will be enough). A few seconds after rotation, press stop button (small black square) until power off status appears in the main window of XiLab in order to prevent motor overheating. After this do not forget to return the settings back!

When using the libximc library and Linux with kernel version less than 3.16, there are possible hanging of the operating system

Comment: above-mentioned problem stems from the error in serial port driver cdc-acm. It is observed with frequent sequential opening and closing of some devices. Operation system hanging was shown on Debian 7 (3.2 kernel version) and worked correctly on Debian 8 (3.16 kernel version).
For additional information about problem please refer to the next link

Solution: update your current version of Linux.