18 pin cable

[MrFTAMan]

Hi
I have the original Craftsman Compucarve A series CNC.
I had it in storage for several years. I decided to get it out, clean it up, and get it going again.
Unfortunately I found that the 18 pin cable ribbon to the spindle head was damaged by a rat.
I called Carvewright to get another one but I was told that the ribbon was discontinued since 2007 and I would have to upgrade my CNC to get the 14 pin ribbon. That would cost hundreds of dollars.
I can’t afford a new machine, so I’m hoping to get one from someone who upgraded their machine.
I sure appreciate it.

[Digitalwoodshop]

Sorry to hear about your 18 pin cable. Due to it's thinness it would let conductors snap inside the plastic leading to many problems from the bit driving into the board and jamming, Air Carves, Board Sensor reading errors. I will post your request on the CarveWright facebook page as it gets allot of attention. Ask them to come here and contact you.

[MrFTAMan]

Thank you! I need all the help.

[DickB]

A cable may be available through electronics suppliers. Please measure the exact length and width of the cable, and if possible the spacing between conductors (will likely be in metric). Also a close-up photo of one end showing the conductors. I buy electronics regularly and may be able to find a supplier for you.

[MrFTAMan]

Thank you. I am a little slow right now I appear to have a little stoke.

[MrFTAMan]

The cable is 23 long and 3/4”. It has 18 points at the end.

[DickB]

Are the contacts on the same side of the cable, or opposite sides?

[MrFTAMan]

I can’t put pictures in it, but it has blue in it, no end.

[MrFTAMan]

It has same end. Send picture of what you got .

[DickB]

What I am asking is the cable a "Type A" or "Type B" per the attached photo.

88660

We also need to know the pitch of the contacts. If the cable is 3/4" wide, with 18 contacts the pitch should be 1 mm.

88661

[MrFTAMan]

How on earth Do I end up bring up pictures in this place?
I upgrade the pictures to add but I still can’t understand it.

[MrFTAMan]

I believe lt is one sided with the ends the same. It has the 1mm.

[Mugsowner]

Let us see if you are loading photos correctly. In the lower right corner of the reply screen there is a button Go Advanced. This is the area you need to in to post pictures to the site forum. Hope this helps, if not yelp and we can look into it further.

[Mugsowner]

Once in the advanced screen scroll down to additional options section. Under attachments you will see Manage Attachments. Click on Manage Attachments. Now you want to click add files, then browse. Select the file you want to upload, then click upload. I hope this helps as well.

[DickB]

I have not found an exact replacement in stock - most are much smaller in length. I have a few suggestions.

Samtec offers a 20-pin cable in the length that you need. I would try trimming one with a razor blade down to 18 pins. Unfortunately it is not stocked at the electronic distributors, so there will be a lead time from the factory. Here is an example:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Samtec/FJ-20-D-2362-6?qs=PB6%2FjmICvI37YvGttXS2eQ%3D%3D

88663

It would be worth your while to contact the factory directly to see if they can get you exactly what you need:

https://www.samtec.com/products/fj

88664

eBay has Chinese sellers offering 18 pin cables, but not in the length that you need:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/153525126012?hash=item23becf837c:g:npoAAOSwpAhdAJX M

88665

It might be possible to use a cable extender to join two shorter cables to fit your machine. I did not find an 18 pin extender, but a 20 pin could work if you insert the flex cables to the one side. The extender would need to be mounted on something ridged in the machine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RWDRCV6/?coliid=I3R5MV1PC9JU59&colid=214IQVL6978XP&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

88666

Another possibility is to use two 14 pin cables. Cut 4 positions off one, trim the edge of the other, and use the two in place of the 18, taped together. It may sound a little crazy, but I think that it could work. Be advised that my 14 pin cable from CarveWright is only 21" long.

If it were me, I would first contact Samtec. If that didn't pan out I would try two 14 pin cables as described.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

[fwharris]

Roger Moore from Canada contacted me and he said he has one if you are willing to pay the shipping. If interested contact me here through notifications or on FB Carveaholics group or messenger..

[MrFTAMan]

Hello, fwharris. Yes l am interested. I sorry I didn’t come back soon I had a light stroke but getting better.
I would like to get Roger Moore about the cable.

[fwharris]

Hello, fwharris. Yes l am interested. I sorry I didn’t come back soon I had a light stroke but getting better.
I would like to get Roger Moore about the cable.

I just sent you his email info.. look in your "notifications" tab...

[Digitalwoodshop]

The Pitch of the 18 pin FFC Flat Flex Cable is finer or closer together and thinner than the 14 pin.

If you put a 14 pin with it's wider pitch or thickness into a 18 pin socket the wider 14 pin metal will SHORT Circuit the finer 18 pin socket.

In the years past someone did just that and when they turned on the machine the shorted socket pins wiped out the $400.00 plus Computer.

You are honestly better off buying a A907 Kit. With a 14 pin cable and the circuit boards for both ends.

On the Facebook Alt parts page Joe is now selling 14 pin FFC Cables. So future replacements will be easier to get.

Remember the FFC Cable is a "Consumable" as in it can only bend so many times before it snaps... It will snap sooner if you have any KINKS or SHARP Bends in the area that moves.

Good Luck.

AL

In some pictures I call the 18 pin a 16 pin... I just cannot count higher than 10 fingers....

[MrFTAMan]

Thank you! I’ll get in touch with him.