After updating to firmware 20260525 and gsender 1.6.2 the machine won’t connect properly. Wouldn’t connect at all via Ethernet, when connecting with USB the box on the top left will show connected but the top middle box remains as disconnected, no Alarm 10 message as expected when connecting, console shows connected at 115200 but will not accept any commands. I should add that everything seemed fine a few days ago when I completed the firmware flash and gsender upgrade, machine sat powered off for 4-5 days and then this started.
I reflashed via the STM method yesterday as gsender wouldn’t work. After a couple of flashes of firmware it was working again via Ethernet and USB. Shutdown gsender, controller and VFD, came back an hour later to try it again and back to the same issue. Powering up VFD first, controller, then gsender as I had with previous version for the past year without issue.
Thoughts? I’d like to stick with this version if possible as it has addressed an issue with switching between laser and spindle that required power cycling controller previously but it’s not much good if I can’t connect quickly.
I have tried every possible sequence. I am unwilling to use USB as primary connection for actual carving. Seems like there are a few people with this issue, but not a lot. I feel like it maybe a Windows specific version issue. Having said that I’ve rolled the firmware back and it’s a non-issue, so who knows.
I’ve rolled back to 5.0.11 firmware and connecting is not an issue again. For me the only issue with this is the ability to switch between laser and spindle. I have to power cycle the controller to go back to spindle from laser, a known issue with 5.xx firmware from what I understand. Presumably why they included a PWM2 in the 6.xx firmware. If I had an ATC I’d be beside myself pissed off right now.. but I don’t so it is what it is.
@Bnb187 Have you opened a support ticket for this issue, Mike?
I have an SLB on a Long Mill - not the SLB-EXT for the AltMill. The latest firmware for the SLB is the 5.0.5b /20230917. I don’t know what machine or controller you are running, so my experience may be irrelevant.
I have no issue with going back and forth between laser and spindle mode, but I am running gSender 1.4.12 still. YMMV.
I’ve got an Altmill.. it’s never gone between laser and spindle without a controller reset. It was mentioned to support a while back they were aware. Newest firmware had fixed this but the connection issue makes the machine unusable basically. Having to flash with STM anytime the monitor goes to sleep on the computer doesn’t work for me.
@Bnb187 I’m sorry that I can’t help. I’ve moved your issue to the gSender topic as the gSender team at Sienci closely monitors it and may have some thoughts.