ruggybear
03-25-2010, 08:41 PM
Compucarve/Carvewright Machine
I have had my Compucarve going on three years now. Like many users, I had my share of problems/issues with the machine. I had to send it in for repair early on for something that I don’t remember but during the warranty period. When it came back all seemed to be working fine except for the usual ongoing issues with the darn quick change chuck. I had nothing but problem after problem with the QCC.
Went through the ‘check cut motor’ messages and like most others just pressed ‘enter’ to continue and projects completed OK. Then I began to get a rash of edge detection errors and clean board detector errors and weird patterns carving that had no resemblance to the project designed on the computer.
Replaced some termination boards and the FFC cable per tech support. Nothing worked. It turned out that I had the original Z stuff and they sent me part of the new stuff but not all of it. Part this and part that couldn’t communicate with each other.
Finally I reinstalled all of the original parts and found that the termination of the
FFC cable on the (X termination board – I think that is what it is called) would not seat in the connector on the board. I had to epoxy the connector permanently close with the cable in it as the connector would not hold itself closed. This solved most of the problems save the bloody QCC.
Last April (2009) I was having a rash of clean ‘Y rails’ errors. Nothing seemed to fix them even with tech support assistance. I just boxed the machine up and sent it off to Texas with a document of issues enclosed. They had no idea that the machine was coming. When it arrived they called me with an estimate of cost to fix the machine and I gave them the go ahead. They installed a new power supply, computer, Z pack package (including truck, motor FCC cable and termination boards), QCC, sand paper belts, flex shaft with cable and probably some things I don’t remember.
While the machine was in Texas I ordered the Rock Chuck from Ron Justice. As soon as the machine arrived I installed the Rock Chuck before I even tried a project. WOO HOO, is it really the same machine? Needless to say I was ecstatic. I have since added a top mount dust collector (fwharris) and a 950cfm dust collector from Harbor Freight. I recently mass produced the face in the cross (picture attached) (15 copies) and never once had to clean the machine during or in between sessions. I think that speaks volumes for the Rock chuck and the dust collection system.
The only issue I see once in a while now is ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ axis stall or clean ‘Y’ rails. The cure there has been to use a b rush with hard plastic bristles (tooth brush will do the job as well) and brush the Y and Z rails. Move the associated truck and clean there too. I then spray the rails with silicone. Stall and clean errors gone until next time.
What an amazing machine. New upgraded part, rock chuck, dust collection system and proper maintenance make a world of difference. I am now very much enjoying the machine.
I have had my Compucarve going on three years now. Like many users, I had my share of problems/issues with the machine. I had to send it in for repair early on for something that I don’t remember but during the warranty period. When it came back all seemed to be working fine except for the usual ongoing issues with the darn quick change chuck. I had nothing but problem after problem with the QCC.
Went through the ‘check cut motor’ messages and like most others just pressed ‘enter’ to continue and projects completed OK. Then I began to get a rash of edge detection errors and clean board detector errors and weird patterns carving that had no resemblance to the project designed on the computer.
Replaced some termination boards and the FFC cable per tech support. Nothing worked. It turned out that I had the original Z stuff and they sent me part of the new stuff but not all of it. Part this and part that couldn’t communicate with each other.
Finally I reinstalled all of the original parts and found that the termination of the
FFC cable on the (X termination board – I think that is what it is called) would not seat in the connector on the board. I had to epoxy the connector permanently close with the cable in it as the connector would not hold itself closed. This solved most of the problems save the bloody QCC.
Last April (2009) I was having a rash of clean ‘Y rails’ errors. Nothing seemed to fix them even with tech support assistance. I just boxed the machine up and sent it off to Texas with a document of issues enclosed. They had no idea that the machine was coming. When it arrived they called me with an estimate of cost to fix the machine and I gave them the go ahead. They installed a new power supply, computer, Z pack package (including truck, motor FCC cable and termination boards), QCC, sand paper belts, flex shaft with cable and probably some things I don’t remember.
While the machine was in Texas I ordered the Rock Chuck from Ron Justice. As soon as the machine arrived I installed the Rock Chuck before I even tried a project. WOO HOO, is it really the same machine? Needless to say I was ecstatic. I have since added a top mount dust collector (fwharris) and a 950cfm dust collector from Harbor Freight. I recently mass produced the face in the cross (picture attached) (15 copies) and never once had to clean the machine during or in between sessions. I think that speaks volumes for the Rock chuck and the dust collection system.
The only issue I see once in a while now is ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ axis stall or clean ‘Y’ rails. The cure there has been to use a b rush with hard plastic bristles (tooth brush will do the job as well) and brush the Y and Z rails. Move the associated truck and clean there too. I then spray the rails with silicone. Stall and clean errors gone until next time.
What an amazing machine. New upgraded part, rock chuck, dust collection system and proper maintenance make a world of difference. I am now very much enjoying the machine.