HWGC P&P machines - Documentation, Discussion and Info

[JMG]

Hi folks, quick update. Machine has been running ok for the most part. It seems to loose accuracy from board to board on some parts but is generally ok. However, over night last night, the hard drive died. Hoping Jim can get me back on line quickly. I knew I should have copied the drive on day one! 

[48X24X48X]

Hi folks, quick update. Machine has been running ok for the most part. It seems to loose accuracy from board to board on some parts but is generally ok. However, over night last night, the hard drive died. Hoping Jim can get me back on line quickly. I knew I should have copied the drive on day one! 

Thank you for reminding us. 
I believe the monitor is 2nd hand IBM/Lenovo (due to the 4:3 aspect ratio no longer available on market) and it's possible the HDD too.

[JMG]

Yep, second hand Lenovo, but the actual computer looks new and up to date. Quite impressed actually. The HD was a 100gb unit, no name that I recognize.
That drive copying was always on my to do list but I constantly put it off because there was always production to be ran and customers calling for product early. Machine was running 6 - 7 days a week for several months.

[PartialDischarge]

Never opened the PC panel, so I just did. So what would be the best choice for a backup? I'm tempted to take the HDD to a linux machine and do a direct dump to another, but maybe the easiest is to install another in this machine and use a Windows software to make the clone. Ideas?

Edit, my drive is 120Gb...

[48X24X48X]

I think I would just copy the SMT program files folder and your project files for now. Probably would need their help in terms of drivers if getting a new HDD later.
In the HWGC software, there's also a unique key specific to your machine, keep that too. But, easiest way would be duplicating the HDD content but need to do some research on that for a correct way to do it, I'm on Linux too.

[PartialDischarge]

Dd is the easiest way to clone a disk
https://linuxhint.com/clone-disk-using-dd-linux/


Also possible to create image file from a disk to restore later:
https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/unix-linux-dd-create-make-disk-image-commands/

[JMG]

Clonezilla or Macrium and just clone the drive.

[JMG]

Thinking - if someone could clone their drive and we have a copy available within the community, that would be a nice safety blanket.
At least everyone should copy and back up their license key and parameter files, just in case. I was lucky enough to have the drive live for long enough to copy those.

[Jackster]

IF PEOPLE COULD STOP PRIVATE MESSAGING ME ASKING FOR ME TO ILLEGALLY GIVE THEM A COPY OF THIS SOFTWARE, SO THEY CAN ADMITTEDLY DISSASSEMBLE IT AND CREATE A VERSION OF THEIR OWN, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME. THANKS!

Thinking - if someone could clone their drive and we have a copy available within the community, that would be a nice safety blanket.
At least everyone should copy and back up their license key and parameter files, just in case. I was lucky enough to have the drive live for long enough to copy those.

If only there was a copy of the software flying around without hardware locks on it....

[JMG]

With the hardware locks, an image within the community would still need to go through Jim to be able to be used. If you cant provide him (her?) with a device code, he aint gonna provide you with a registration key.

[JMG]

Quick update: Still not running.

It took FOREVER to get Win7 64 to accept cd/dvd/usb drivers to actually install. Now, I am having issues with the main SMT placement program, it fails with a cant find moon_boxes.dll which is installed and located exactly where it should be. I also cant load pcie drivers because there is a signing error. I cant update the .net framework because it reports that the root certificate is bad yet I pulled this right off the MS website, and finally I cant get the fast cam driver from their link because apparently whatever they've created in the file is in violation of Google Drives terms of service and its inaccessible.

As for Jim, well, after saying they can no longer help and I should find someone in my own country, has stopped answering emails. I have begged for a clone image of a working drive and have offered to pay. Crickets.

Also to note, they seem to use an unregistered copy of windows and seem to have some work around that stops it asking for you to register it. Knowing this makes me a lot less resistant to someone copying and hacking their software.

At this point, I own a $13000, 5 month old, 450lb brick that is costing me money in lost production every single day. F 'em. Copy their damn software.

[MR]

Start Windows with signature disabled for testing? Turn on PC press F8 -> allow unsigned drivers to load

[48X24X48X]

Quick update: Still not running.

It took FOREVER to get Win7 64 to accept cd/dvd/usb drivers to actually install. Now, I am having issues with the main SMT placement program, it fails with a cant find moon_boxes.dll which is installed and located exactly where it should be. I also cant load pcie drivers because there is a signing error. I cant update the .net framework because it reports that the root certificate is bad yet I pulled this right off the MS website, and finally I cant get the fast cam driver from their link because apparently whatever they've created in the file is in violation of Google Drives terms of service and its inaccessible.

As for Jim, well, after saying they can no longer help and I should find someone in my own country, has stopped answering emails. I have begged for a clone image of a working drive and have offered to pay. Crickets.

Also to note, they seem to use an unregistered copy of windows and seem to have some work around that stops it asking for you to register it. Knowing this makes me a lot less resistant to someone copying and hacking their software.

At this point, I own a $13000, 5 month old, 450lb brick that is costing me money in lost production every single day. F 'em. Copy their damn software.

Hang on friend, managed to get my contacts in HWGC to help. Drop me a PM.

[JMG]

Start Windows with signature disabled for testing? Turn on PC press F8 -> allow unsigned drivers to load

Did both that and the permanent disable via gpedit. Made zero difference.

[JMG]

Quick update: Still not running.

It took FOREVER to get Win7 64 to accept cd/dvd/usb drivers to actually install. Now, I am having issues with the main SMT placement program, it fails with a cant find moon_boxes.dll which is installed and located exactly where it should be. I also cant load pcie drivers because there is a signing error. I cant update the .net framework because it reports that the root certificate is bad yet I pulled this right off the MS website, and finally I cant get the fast cam driver from their link because apparently whatever they've created in the file is in violation of Google Drives terms of service and its inaccessible.

As for Jim, well, after saying they can no longer help and I should find someone in my own country, has stopped answering emails. I have begged for a clone image of a working drive and have offered to pay. Crickets.

Also to note, they seem to use an unregistered copy of windows and seem to have some work around that stops it asking for you to register it. Knowing this makes me a lot less resistant to someone copying and hacking their software.

At this point, I own a $13000, 5 month old, 450lb brick that is costing me money in lost production every single day. F 'em. Copy their damn software.

Hang on friend, managed to get my contacts in HWGC to help. Drop me a PM.

Incoming PM.

[koniu12]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

[48X24X48X]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

You could opt take out your phone and use the instant Google translation through the camera. But, if you haven't:

[alexaraujo]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

You could opt take out your phone and use the instant Google translation through the camera. But, if you haven't:

In this version 8 were there improvements or was it to fix bugs?

[alexaraujo]

Quick update: Still not running.

It took FOREVER to get Win7 64 to accept cd/dvd/usb drivers to actually install. Now, I am having issues with the main SMT placement program, it fails with a cant find moon_boxes.dll which is installed and located exactly where it should be. I also cant load pcie drivers because there is a signing error. I cant update the .net framework because it reports that the root certificate is bad yet I pulled this right off the MS website, and finally I cant get the fast cam driver from their link because apparently whatever they've created in the file is in violation of Google Drives terms of service and its inaccessible.

As for Jim, well, after saying they can no longer help and I should find someone in my own country, has stopped answering emails. I have begged for a clone image of a working drive and have offered to pay. Crickets.

Also to note, they seem to use an unregistered copy of windows and seem to have some work around that stops it asking for you to register it. Knowing this makes me a lot less resistant to someone copying and hacking their software.

At this point, I own a $13000, 5 month old, 450lb brick that is costing me money in lost production every single day. F 'em. Copy their damn software.

Hang on friend, managed to get my contacts in HWGC to help. Drop me a PM.

Incoming PM.

Hi, could you let me know if you managed to get the machine running again?

[alexaraujo]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

Did you see that the HWGC people are using their great youtube post to help us out?

[48X24X48X]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

Did you see that the HWGC people are using their great youtube post to help us out?

Friend, I'm not affiliated to HWGC. Just helping out everyone whenever I can.
Currently editing the part 2 of the video.

[alexaraujo]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

Did you see that the HWGC people are using their great youtube post to help us out?

Friend, I'm not affiliated to HWGC. Just helping out everyone whenever I can.
Currently editing the part 2 of the video.

You've been doing a really good job with your videos and helping us learn the machine's workflow.

I hope HWGC asked for your authorization, that would be correct of them, last month I contacted HWGC and asked for authorization to use one of their videos to carry out internal marketing on the acquisition of new machines to increase our productivity, I quickly got authorization;

I didn't forget your tickets, when you come to Brazil call me.

[48X24X48X]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

Did you see that the HWGC people are using their great youtube post to help us out?

I didn't notice he blatantly re-uploaded my video until I re-read your comment and added his stamp mark all over it. Never even ask any permission. Requested YT to remove it. There's too many of them claiming to be HWGC. Thank you for informing.

[48X24X48X]

Today's shopping haul:
- 3x 8 mm electrical feeder (comes with converter cable if your machine uses 2 pin connection, works without conversion on HWGC machine)
- 1x 44 mm pneumatic feeder. Needed 2 but couldn't afford 2, ended up with 1.
- 1x splicing tool (those you seen used on DigiReel/MouserReel). Wanted this for so long but I considered them expensive as I sparingly splice tapes but now I can save $7 on each re-reel bought from Digikey, Microchip Direct and LCSC ($3).
- 1x box of splicing connector (4000K inside!, will never finish in my life). Already using the adhesive type but it's not reliable on plastic tapes.

Total damage is close to $1000 excluding the shipping which I used my own FedEx account.

[alexaraujo]

Hello,

I have got the 8.8.0 software version. But after re-install and import the parameter (calibration files backup), the language changes to chinese and there is no way to change it to english...
Any idea ?

Best Regards
Adam

Did you see that the HWGC people are using their great youtube post to help us out?

I didn't notice he blatantly re-uploaded my video until I re-read your comment and added his stamp mark all over it. Never even ask any permission. Requested YT to remove it. There's too many of them claiming to be HWGC. Thank you for informing.

.

Another video with quality and well explained, many here will be grateful for your help. Thank you again.