Faulty Board Tracking Senson

[Lobo]

My CW arrived today. For my first "project," I just tried to measure a board. The width measuring worked just fine, but, when I tried to measure length, the CW just fed the board out of the machine. When I tried the onboard sensor diagnostic, it seemed to indicate a faulty board sensor. The brass wheel with O-ring rotates freely, but the position readout stays at zero. Anybody know of a fix for this?

[Jeff_Birt]

There are two sensors with 'board' in the name. One is the 'board tracking sensor' the other is the 'board edge sensor'. The tracking sensor is the one with the brass roller, the board edge sensor is mounted underneath the Y-truck looking down at the board. Make sure you are looking at the correct page in the sensor test menu.

As for your problem. Be sure that your board is at least 1/2" thick and that you don't have a stuck roller switch.

[Digitalwoodshop]

Since this is your very first post it can be a number of things....

Reading Tips and Tricks will help you sort through the Pilot Errors....

So a quick list of what would cause the board to spit out while measuring in length...

Using a board thinner than 3/4 inch like a 1/2 inch thick board. Nothing less than 3/4 inch thick.

The back roller is stuck from shipment. Use Options and look at the sensor data and rollers compressed and un compressed.

Board too dark but then it would not have measured the width so color sounds good.

Using a sheet of white copy paper for a standard, what does the board sensor reading show in options with the paper on the board. 140 - 156 good 90 bad.

Head not cranked down to correct pressure.

Welcome,

Good Luck,

AL

And remember and understand the 7 inch rule of wood and find the info about cranking the head down in the manual. Most 1st post are pilot error.

Jeff beat me.... I type TOO slow....

[newt55]

Make sure that the crown of the board is facing down.

[Lobo]

Thanks for all the suggestions -- it's really helpful to learn from more experienced people.

First (good news): Using a thicker board stopped the problem of the board ejecting from the front.

Second (bad news?): It really does look like the 'board tracking sensor' is faulty. [The reflective 'board sensor' checks out OK.] I go to the diagnostic page with the two lines: x-position (which always reads -141.xxx) and bottom line (which always reads 0.000). Rotating the brass wheel does not change the readout.

[Jeff_Birt]

Does it measure the board length properly?

[Lobo]

Jeff asked: Does it measure the board length properly?

No. Sometimes it gives a number other than zero, usually somewhat less than the actual length. Sometimes just an error message ("error 400", I think).

I'm thinking I'll return it (to Amazon.com) and ask for a replacement.

[Jeff_Birt]

No. Sometimes it gives a number other than zero,


Huh? I'm not following. Let's start from scratch...

Is your board at least 1/2" thick? (If it is close to 1/2" measure with calipers, use a 3/4" board to be safe.)

Are you sure your not pushing the sliding guide plate to tightly up against the board?

Is you board flat, square, and its sides are parallel?

Have you measured the head pressure? Too low/high head pressure will cause incorrect board sensor readings.

It the head level from front (keypad) to rear?

And most importantly - Have you called CarveWright yet? Call and talk to their techs, that is what they are there for. They can get you fixed up.

[Lobo]

Hey guys, thanks for all the suggestions. The little clear plastic wheel inside the board tracking sensor was cracked. Thanks again!

[Jeff_Birt]

Did you get back in touch with CW about a replacement?

[Lobo]

Yep. Thanks, Jeff.