Tracking Roller error

[JohnM57]

Now I am getting a tracking roller error message. Have looked through the manual twice completely and nowhere does it mention a "tracking roller".... compression rollers, tracking sensor roller, along with front and back rollers.
Just what is the "tracking roller"? And how do I clear the message? I have cleaned it 3 times with air and a vacuum and wiped the board sensor. I also run the vacuum while its carving. Is this machine as finicky as the older versions?
Thanks for any insight.

[Mugsowner]

Not sure how old your machine is, but I don't think anything changed as far as tracking goes. your tracking errors come from one of two locations normally. The brass roller, located on the key pad side of machine between the traction belts, is one area. there should be a o ring on the roller to help it track. The bottom of the board causes issues with the roller. Voids in the board cause the roller to stop while the belts are still running and will send that message. This can be fix some times by placing masking tape on the bottom edge of the board, so the the roller keeps spinning, some folks put tape on every time to assist the roller. The other common area that sends this message, is the compression rollers. The rollers can be checked on the key pad to see what they are reading. I have not done that in a while now, so not sure of which buttons you have to hit to get to the screen, but I do know that you can't really mess anything up pushing the wrong buttons. Hope this helps a little anyway. If not let us know and we can look further.

[want2b]

The tracking sensor roller is the one giving you the error. Its job is to follow the edge of the board so the machine knows where it is positioned along the length of the board. Any slippage causes the machine to warn you the carve is likely to be messed up. Almost every time I have gotten a tracking error it has been caused by the board. Either a bow causes it to lift and not track, an imperfection does the same or a very hard wood. One of the earliest users has been teased about buying shares in 3M due to his recommendation of always using masking tape on the bottom edge for traction for the sensor, it does help a lot. I'm a believer, easier and cheaper to put on a strip of tape than have a carve go bad and ruin a board.
Luck,
Rick H

[JohnM57]

Not sure how old your machine is, but I don't think anything changed as far as tracking goes. your tracking errors come from one of two locations normally. The brass roller, located on the key pad side of machine between the traction belts, is one area. there should be a o ring on the roller to help it track. The bottom of the board causes issues with the roller. Voids in the board cause the roller to stop while the belts are still running and will send that message. This can be fix some times by placing masking tape on the bottom edge of the board, so the the roller keeps spinning, some folks put tape on every time to assist the roller. The other common area that sends this message, is the compression rollers. The rollers can be checked on the key pad to see what they are reading. I have not done that in a while now, so not sure of which buttons you have to hit to get to the screen, but I do know that you can't really mess anything up pushing the wrong buttons. Hope this helps a little anyway. If not let us know and we can look further.

Machine is about 4 weeks old.
Is this "brass" roller considered the "tracking roller"? There is no mention of the tracking roller in the manual. The error message was "clear tracking roller"... The wood (maple) is perfect - no issues.
I also had problems with the board running off and stopping during board measuring. Not sure why, but I gave it a push and it reconnected and worked. The board is 8 inches longer than the design.
I have not checked the compression rollers, but did clean them and blew out from behind the washers as per manual. I could not get to the key pad instructions, but will try again.
Thank you...

[JohnM57]

Will try that. But the maple board was just cut on 4 days ago by a hardwood shop that I have worked with for years and does premium work. The board did lay flat and had no depressions or otherwise imperfections.
Thanks!
John

[JohnM57]

Funny, got it to work on the backside - keyhole and a small carve, but then it failed me again on the front side. Measuring issues. Literally ran the board out from under both rollers.
Getting too frustrated with this machine. My older Carvewright I had completed some 40 pieces before I had too little time to do it. Now that I am retired and lots of time, this brand new one doesnt work.
Brand new (4 pieces done almost perfectly and perhaps 5-6 hours of carving time on it) and my blood pressure is going through the roof. I can afford the moeny, but I cant afford the physical issues...... my genetics arent in my favor... :(
I will give it one more try, but if it doesnt want to work it will be gone. How long is one allowed to return it?

[Digitalwoodshop]

Lets address the two issues.

First is the tracking roller issue. Maple is very hard and very smooth. We recommend a strip of masking tape on the bottom of the board so the brass roller has something soft to bite into.

Next possibility.... Your in and out feed tables may be adjusted too HIGH and when the board is driven up on the metal roller of the table it can lift the board off the brass Roller.

Then we have the issue with the board driving right out of the machine while measuring. Two things can cause this.... A board thinner than 3/4 actual inch. But more likely is the while measuring the board sensor looks for the Rubber Compression roller to DROP then it starts looking for the board edge. If the rear compression roller never drops then the board goes right out of the machine.... The compression rollers have a micro switch. If you do not have dust collection then the blowing around dust can land on the resting plate for the compression roller. Over time the layer builds up to the thickness that the roller will not drop enough to let the micro switch drop in the slot. See Picture... Best way to clean the dust. Crank down on a block of wood leaving enough room to get a air gun in and blow it clean. On Sensor Data you will find you can monitor the switch by cranking down on a board and un cranking. Good Luck in Retirement.

[Mugsowner]

I have encountered issues with the board running out due to wood color. Light and dark colored boards seem hard for the board senor to pick up on. I put tape on the top side where the senor looks to get around this issue. i put the tape in a T shaped pattern. One piece across where it will measure width, this you can decide when placing board into machine. the other piece goes from the first piece of tape to the end of board in the location of where the senor looks during the second process of measuring board. The truck moves to the same spot every time to measure the length. That will be a couple inches off the keypad side.

[JohnM57]

Thanks for the tips. I have not tried the masking tape as yet. Interesting in that all 5 of my projects thus far have been on maple and it is indeed very smooth and light in color. All are 3/4 inch (actual measurement)
I do have the dust collection system running as it carves (5hp shop vac). I have noticed a considerable amount of dust buildup on the compression rollers which I have removed - even with the vacuum operating).
I have checked the feed tables and they are not too high. They do not turn while the machine is operating, but turn freely by hand. The board running out from under the rollers has only happened once, in the most recent attempt.
I am guessing that its dust somewhere, but the manual doesnt have enough info in it to even diagnose, let alone fix the issue. Nothing on you tube either that I can find...
Thank you for all the help!

[JohnM57]

The boards are indeed very light in color.... not having worked with maple very often, I dont know if the color is "out of the ordinary" for maple.
Interesting on the tape placement. I havent noticed where it stops for this measurement. Tape is going to be my next attempt at fixing this.
Now another problem - I have already carved the backside (keyhole) into the project - is there a way to bypass the backside carve when I restart?

[Digitalwoodshop]

You will have to delete the back side in Designer then run again.

There is a Facebook group too for sometimes quicker answers.

Don't give up, you will master this... It will be fun.

Look at all the fun stuff I made when I was doing the Craft Shows.

[JohnM57]

You will have to delete the back side in Designer then run again.

There is a Facebook group too for sometimes quicker answers.

Don't give up, you will master this... It will be fun.

Look at all the fun stuff I made when I was doing the Craft Shows.

I am getting closer to giving up! I have deleted the back side (keyhole) - but will it carve in the center as it was supposed to? I dont want the keyhole to hang the carving sideways!
I created a lot of things with my old carvewright... I know the fun I had doing it.... However, my ticker and BP is not in as good of shape as it was 20 years ago...
Thus the question becomes - do I kill it before it kills me? ;)

[JohnM57]

Ok, I have checked everything that has been mentioned short of the micro-switches, which I cant see. It appears to become a paperweight of which I have no use for. THe error message I am getting remains clear track roller and clear track sensor. I am also getting this error message: E49-0331.
Going to check into returning it. Cant fight this issue every 3 carvings. 4 hours and 43 minutes on cutting motor.

[DickB]

Select Options (0) - Sensor Check (7) press Down Arrow to display roller status. Crank down on your board. Front and Back Rollers should both read Compressed.

[Mugsowner]

The tape thing is fairly simple. When you place a board in the machine, where you place it is where the truck moves across to measure the width. This is the area I place one strip of tape, so the board senor mounted to the truck can see it. after measuring width the truck moves to the keypad side of board, then out a couple inches and stops. This is where the board starts to move to the right, if looking at keypad. Where the truck stops is where the second piece of tape is placed to make the T shape. When the board starts to move the tracking roller starts to record counts, as the board moves to the right the compression roller drops out, this is where the board sensor takes over and starts looking for the edge. the strip of tape on the bottom helps insure the roller maintain an accurate count. A longer board unsupported will also cause this issue, as it travels out of the machine the offset weight of the board will cause it to lift off the roller. Keep asking and telling us of what happens and what you would like to know, we can get though this I'm sure.

[JohnM57]

I really appreciate your help. But you know, you shouldnt be the one showing/telling me this stuff. Its a shame that LHR doesnt create how-to videos on the troubleshooting aspects of this very complicated machine. It would save them time and customer aggravation, not to mention all the online damning words that disappointed customers have written about their encounters with the machine and the LHR policies.
Im not quite ready to completely give up on it... but I have already begun looking into getting rid of it... by the way - its the measuring length that is the issue, not the width. Seems to me that the problem would be on both measurements.....not just the length


The tape thing is fairly simple. When you place a board in the machine, where you place it is where the truck moves across to measure the width. This is the area I place one strip of tape, so the board senor mounted to the truck can see it. after measuring width the truck moves to the keypad side of board, then out a couple inches and stops. This is where the board starts to move to the right, if looking at keypad. Where the truck stops is where the second piece of tape is placed to make the T shape. When the board starts to move the tracking roller starts to record counts, as the board moves to the right the compression roller drops out, this is where the board sensor takes over and starts looking for the edge. the strip of tape on the bottom helps insure the roller maintain an accurate count. A longer board unsupported will also cause this issue, as it travels out of the machine the offset weight of the board will cause it to lift off the roller. Keep asking and telling us of what happens and what you would like to know, we can get though this I'm sure.

[lynnfrwd]

I sent you several links to Troubleshooting docs and videos, yesterday. The best way to contact us is support@carvewright.com or 713-473-6572.

You are correct. The length and width are measured by two different sources. Width is by the Board Sensor and Length, by the Tracking Roller (brass wheel) until the compression roller drops and then the board sensor kicks on to find the ends of the board.

First question is, what is your head pressure?
Second, is your board flat, warped, bowed, have divits on bottom edge that rides on brass wheel?
Third, is the compression roller dropping down or is it pushing the board out the back of the machine?
Are you adding 7" and saying NO to stay under rollers?
Finally, did you put masking tape on edge that rides brass wheel?

[JohnM57]

I sent you several links to Troubleshooting docs and videos, yesterday. The best way to contact us is support@carvewright.com or 713-473-6572.

You are correct. The length and width are measured by two different sources. Width is by the Board Sensor and Length, by the Tracking Roller (brass wheel) until the compression roller drops and then the board sensor kicks on to find the ends of the board.

First question is, what is your head pressure?
Second, is your board flat, warped, bowed, have divits on bottom edge that rides on brass wheel?
Third, is the compression roller dropping down or is it pushing the board out the back of the machine?
Are you adding 7" and saying NO to stay under rollers?
Finally, did you put masking tape on edge that rides brass wheel?
Head pressure was 78 lbs on home scale (not sure on accuracy of it)
Boards are flat and square with no imperfections. 3/4 inch thick
I do not know on the compression roller dropping or not.
I am adding 8 inches to each board and have tried both options - yes and no
I did try masking tape along the edge where the brass wheel tracks. It is about the same color as the wood. Would colored painter's tape be better? Or is this just for traction?
Thank you for the assistance. I will check the roller drop and look at the videos.

[lynnfrwd]

Head pressure was 78 lbs on home scale (not sure on accuracy of it)
Boards are flat and square with no imperfections. 3/4 inch thick
I do not know on the compression roller dropping or not.
I am adding 8 inches to each board and have tried both options - yes and no
I did try masking tape along the edge where the brass wheel tracks. It is about the same color as the wood. Would colored painter's tape be better? Or is this just for traction?
Thank you for the assistance. I will check the roller drop and look at the videos.

On your machine, the head pressure should be between 80-90 lbs.
Sensor checks are under 0 (Options) >7 (Sensor check) to check compression rollers.
For the brass wheel it is purely traction. For the width, it needs to be beige masking tape.

[DickB]

I do not know on the compression roller dropping or not.
You need to check the compression roller switches as I described. It's simple and easy to do. The board sensor is not used until the roller drops. If the switch is dirty or stuck, the machine will spit out the board exactly as you have described.

[JohnM57]

Thanks Lynn. Was gardening all day yesterday and some this morning and finally got to watch the machine very closely. Checked everything you listed to no avail.... but while watching I noticed the board "jumped" ever so slightly as it was moving left to right and the error then appeared.
Took the board out and looked at it very closely... the board on the keyboard side was not perfectly flat. Though it was square in all 4 corners, there was a very slight <0.5 mm (perhaps 3 inch long) convex bow in the middle of the 28 inch maple board. I tried another maple board and it worked. Since then I have got one more pattern to run fine.
I appreciate everyone's help and also apologize for "blaming" the machine and not checking my board more closely than I did. :oops:
I will also double check the head pressure!

[Digitalwoodshop]

Good Job !!!!

[Mugsowner]

Congrats, glad to see you found your issue. One good thing to come out of this, I think you that a better understanding of the workings of the machine.

[want2b]

Great that the problem has been resolved for you. The members who try to give reasons for issues have experienced most of the failures and their causes. The wonderful part is they are all willing to freely share what they have learned. The machine will have mechanical/electronic failures like any other tool. Hopefully patience will provide the cause as in so many things in life our world is going thru to find the solution.
Enjoy, Rick H

[dbemus]

https://support.carvewright.com/troubleshooting-board-tracking-errors/ This video may help!

[JohnM57]

Congrats, glad to see you found your issue. One good thing to come out of this, I think you that a better understanding of the workings of the machine.

Absolutely. Now I am working on the finishing side of projects carved thus far. Not exactly how I had hoped, but it too, will be another learning session. Thanks Mugsowner! :)

[JohnM57]

Great that the problem has been resolved for you. The members who try to give reasons for issues have experienced most of the failures and their causes. The wonderful part is they are all willing to freely share what they have learned. The machine will have mechanical/electronic failures like any other tool. Hopefully patience will provide the cause as in so many things in life our world is going thru to find the solution.
Enjoy, Rick H
Thank you Rick. Its been a struggle, but with my old machine I got through it pretty well on my own (no internet forums to help then!) Thats probably what what causing my frustrations.
John