What should I look for on a 3018 if you start a project and it cuts for a minute or less? I know nothing about CNC routing. I am willing to learn. I retired from a completely different field.
Sounds like RF/EMI-noise picked up by the USB cable, causing the USB to drop out for a brief moment. This will stop a carve dead in its tracks. USB is the weakest link in the signal chain.
The DC spindle of the 3018 is a noisy spindle in this regard so my first suggestions would be:
- Get a good quality, properly shielded USB-cable
- Get an externally powered USB-hub and use this between PC/3018 (this provide stronger RF/EMI-rejection)
- Dont let power-carrying cables run close or parallell to USB-cable, separate them.