Close cover error

[afurda]

The machine was carving about 2 minutes into a project and shut down displaying "close cover"

Opened and closed the cover and restarted the carving only to have it shut down again, finally it will not begin carving at all, displaying "close cover".

The cover is peoperly aligned and functions both switches with the cover closed. Cleaned both switches. Manually depressed the left switch and functioned the right switch, occaisionally there is a pulse sent to the cut motor, every 4th or 5th depression of the switch. It does not happen reversing the proceedure. Pulled both switches and checked for continuity, both are functioning peoperly, on and off, and are activated by the cover.

Where do I look next?

Thanks afurda

[Digitalwoodshop]

Sounds like you are on the right track. The plug for the left cover switch plugs into the circuit board in the back is made up of individual wires. It is possible for the wires to pull back in the plug. Look the plug over. Also make sure the plug is seated in all the way and the white wire is toward the center. It will plug in 180 degrees out and give you a open cover all the time.

Vibration could cause the switch to make and break the contacts and give you a open cover momentary causing the machine to stop.

Also loose screws in the switch and the cover pivot point will cause the error too. Sometimes the switch screw holes crack when the top cover is removed and moved with the clear cover resting on the switch. Nothing prevents the cover from pressing the switch with the whole weight of the clear plastic cover. It is best to hold the clear cover when moving the top Assembly.

You may need a new switch?

AL

[Wilbur]

I had the same problem. If you don't find the problem listed above get a new wiring harness with a new switch wired in. I found nothing loose on mine but found the switch bad.
You can get a switch at Radio Shack for 3.00 but wiring it in is hard to do because of the wire be so small.
I found the best thing was to get the harness with the switch.

Wilbur

[gashawk]

I've found everything is in line except the black cover. Putting it in a little twist behind the switches can temprolary fix the proplem. May not be a cure, but may be a cause.

[Hesstx]

Take the side cover off ,the one with the keypad. 1st take the screw out on the inside of the unit on the keypad side it holds the black plastic then you can remove the ribbon connector from the back of the side panel. This way if you slip with the SP you will not break the wires.
Then remove the 2 hex head bolts at the top of each round runner on top there will be some small washers both outside and siting on the pice inside watch for them.
Remove the 2 screws on the bottom while holding onto the SC then it will lift out lay it somewhere it will not fall. you will find a SW on the front about 3 to 4 inch down check to see if it moves or is stuck. I just blow it out then plug the ribbon back in and hold the SP and push the door sw in while you have it in the door sensor mode if you have freed the sw it should read close when you push it in. DO NOT DROP THE SP. if it works it is a good time to tidy up the gear and crank ***. Hope it helps this is what I have to do each time so now I do it as part of weekly deep cleaning

Hess

[afurda]

Thanks for your input AL.

I used an ohm meter in the appropriate holes of the plug for the left cover switch.
Depressing the switch until there was an audible click did not necessarily close the switch 100% of the time. The switch would eventually close randomly at times. The switch would also go open before the audible click when releasing it. I removed the switch and wired it direct as a test. It functions as it should. Replacements are ordered.
Thanks for your help!
afurda

[Digitalwoodshop]

The contacts of the metal on the switch sometimes get dirty and prevent the electrical contacts from touching.

You have all heard of a Computer Bug?.... Well that term was coined back when the first Analog Computer had a Moth stuck between the open contacts of a Relay in the computer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computer_science

The first computer bug
Main article: Software bug
The first actual computer bug was a moth. It was stuck in between the relays on the Harvard Mark II.[1] While the invention of the term 'bug' is often but erroneously attributed to Grace Hopper, a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, who supposedly logged the "bug" on September 9, 1945, most other accounts conflict at least with these details. According to these accounts, the actual date was September 9, 1947 when operators filed this 'incident' — along with the insect and the notation "First actual case of bug being found" (see software bug for details).

AL