9. Troubleshooting#

No LEDs are on upon power up

  • Make sure all connectors are properly attached.

  • Make sure the AC outlet works (the green LED on the MSIPS module should be on).

No connection to the MecaPortal

  • Make sure EtherCAT mode has not been enabled. To switch the robot back to Ethernet TCP/IP mode, the simplest way is to do a network configuration reset (see below).

  • Make sure the router/switch works by checking the LEDs of the connection socket.

  • Make sure you are connected to the same network as the robot.

  • If you are using static IP addresses, make sure that the robot’s IP default address (192.168.0.100) does not conflict with any other device on the network. For example:

    Robot: IP = 192.168.0.100, netmask = 255.255.255.0, gateway = 192.168.0.1
    Computer: IP = 192.168.0.101, netmask = 255.255.255.0, gateway = 192.168.0.1

  • If you are using DHCP, make sure to verify the robot’s IP address via your router’s web interface.

  • Make sure you do not have a firewall preventing traffic on TCP ports 80, 10000, 10001, 10010, 10011, 10020, 10021. These ports are used by the MecaPortal for communicating with the robot.

  • Make sure the Ethernet cable is properly connected. The green Ethernet LED should pulse like on an RJ-45 connector when there is communication between the robot and the computer. If the green LED is not illuminated, detach and reconnect the Ethernet cable.

Robot fails to boot

  • Disconnect the MSIPS module from the AC outlet and wait for the green LED of the module to turn off. Then reconnect the MSIPS module and boot the robot.

Robot’s IP address forgotten

  • You can reset the robot’s Ethernet configuration (i.e., set the robot’s IP address to 192.168.0.100 and the communications mode to TCP/IP) by performing a network configuration reset.

9.1. Network configuration reset#

Purpose: Reset the robot’s network configuration to defaults (IP address 192.168.0.100 and EtherCAT mode disabled).

Procedure

  • Locate the button between the two Ethernet connectors on the robot’s base.

  • While the robot is powered and booted, continuously press that button until the Power (green), Status (yellow), and Error (red) LEDs flash rapidly in sequence (two quick flashes each), indicating that the network reset is in progress (which should take about 10 seconds);

  • You can then release the button.

Note

This procedure differs from the Meca500 robots, which require powering down the robot before pressing the button.

9.2. Factory reset#

Purpose: Reset all configuration parameters (including network) to their defaults and erase all robot programs. Logs, mastering parameters, and firmware version will not be affected.

Procedure

  • Locate the button between the two Ethernet connectors on the robot’s base;

  • Ensure the robot is powered down;

  • Press and hold the button, then power-up the robot;

  • Continue holding the button for ~60 s;

  • Release only when the LEDs blink rapidly in sequence for the second time. The table below details the various steps and LEDs patterns during this period.

Elapsed time

LED behavior

Meaning

~0–5 s

Power, Status, Error LEDs blink simultaneously (slowly)

The robot starts booting

~5–30 s

Power, Status, Error LEDs blink simultaneously (faster)

Safe-mode boot continues

~30–40 s

Power LED blinks slowly

Network reset count down

~40–45 s

Power, Status, Error LEDs double-blink in sequence (two quick flashes each)

Network configuration reset in progress

~45–60 s

Power LED blinks rapidly

Factory reset count down

~60 s

Power, Status, Error LEDs double-blink in sequence (two quick flashes each)

Factory reset complete — release button

Warning

Releasing the button before the final rapid LED sequence will abort the factory reset. The robot will remain in safe-mode boot. Reboot the robot to return to normal mode.

9.3. Safe boot mode#

The robot supports a safe boot mode that can be used to recover from unexpected abnormal situations. This mode provides a minimal MecaPortal interface that only allows installing firmware updates or changing network configuration.

Note

This mode is normally not required for troubleshooting purposes. Resetting network configuration or performing a factory reset (as described above) should be sufficient in most cases.

To enter safe boot mode, power off the robot, then power it on while holding the button located between the two Ethernet connectors on the robot’s base. Continue holding the button for around 10 seconds, until the Power (green), Status (yellow), and Error (red) LEDs blink simultaneously (quickly), indicating that the robot is booting in safe boot mode.

After around 1 minute, the robot’s MecaPortal web interface will be accessible at the current robot IP address (including in the case where the robot is operating in EtherCAT mode under normal boot).

To exit safe boot mode, simply reboot the robot.

Note

You may inadvertently enter safe boot mode by, for example aborting a factory reset procedure (releasing the button before procedure completion). In that case, you can simply reboot the robot and it will start normally.

9.4. Storing the robot in its shipping box#

To put the MCS500 back into the foam insert of its original shipping box, click the ../_images/target.svg button in the jogging panel of the MecaPortal and select “Shipping position” or simply send the command MoveJoints(-140,145,-102,0). Recall that you must not force the brakes on the spline shaft.

Warning

Never disassemble the robot. If the robot appears damaged, stop using it immediately and contact us.

Note

If you are unable to solve your technical problem, do not hesitate to contact our technical support team by creating a ticket at support.mecademic.com.