Hello everyone,
I started a new job recently and my first task was to get a pre-owned M-16ib arm with R-j3ib controller working. I have no previous experience with robotics in the slightest. Attached to the arm is a spindle that takes tools placed in collets (saws, drill bits, router bits, etc). So far, I've managed to figure out how to jog the robot, make basic programs, toggle various outputs such as spindle air cooling/clamp/unclamp the spindle, things like this. However, we can't seem to get the spindle to forward or reverse using the digital output, either through simulating or through programmatically changing the status of the DO register. When I try to force an output in the menu, it only stays on for half a second or so and then immediately switches back to OFF.
We've verified that the spindle itself functions by using a manual override on the speed controller for the spindle. I've also noticed that digital inputs related to the spindle, namely two that define if the spindle is clamped or if the spindle is unclamped, do not update accordingly when it clamps or unclamps. My suspicion is that there's some communication error between the controller and the spindle with regards to the I/O connections. Any tips on how I can troubleshoot this? Thanks.