Open doorr sensor

[vintagecop]

My third door sensor just went down. I've got less than 30hrs cut time showing. I purchased this machine the last of Aug. Can anyone advise me on the close door sensors.

I've put two sensors in. It when to the shop for another. Counting the original I guess that 4 sensors Ive been through instead of 3. The one coming up will be #5.

I'v had other problems too. But I've been able to work around them so far.

I'm learning a lot about taking it apart. Less about using it.

Help. Jim

[AskBud]

My third door sensor just went down. I've got less than 30hrs cut time showing. I purchased this machine the last of Aug. Can anyone advise me on the close door sensors.

I've put two sensors in. It when to the shop for another. Counting the original I guess that 4 sensors Ive been through instead of 3. The one coming up will be #5.

I'v had other problems too. But I've been able to work around them so far.

I'm learning a lot about taking it apart. Less about using it.

Help. Jim
I've never worked on mine, but I just did a quick check of a few things.

With the power on, or off, you can hear each switch activate. in my case, the Left clicks slightly before the Right (I was lowering the cover very slowly). My presumption is that if you hear the click the electric contacts, in the switch, should be working. No click could mean a bad switch or it is out of alignment (the cover must press on the contact).

I'm sure that you have used the "Option" selection to check the sensor status at some time.

[Celticwood]

I have about 20 hours on my machine. The door sensor went out at about 17 hours. While I was waiting for a new one, I put a jump wire on the switch. It worked fine juumped out. Parts shouldn't be goiing bad that often, but if I have as much trouble as you are having, I think that I would perminantly jump the switch out and do without it. Its pretty obvious that the cover is open without being reminded.

Jerry

[atauer]

Bypassing the cover switch is a big "no no". The switch is there for safety reasons and should not be bypassed. Ever. If the switch does not function, it could be a faulty switch or other issue. Either way, your best option would be to contact our support team and troubleshoot over the phone with the technicians.

Please, never bypass the switch. Sometimes the results can be quite painful.

[Digitalwoodshop]

I have about 20 hours on my machine. The door sensor went out at about 17 hours. While I was waiting for a new one, I put a jump wire on the switch. It worked fine juumped out. Parts shouldn't be goiing bad that often, but if I have as much trouble as you are having, I think that I would perminantly jump the switch out and do without it. Its pretty obvious that the cover is open without being reminded.

Jerry

Jerry,

Interesting FIRST Post.

The "Cover Open" reminder is not for your amusement but to prevent the machine from starting while you have your fingers on the bit..... When I worked for SONY making picture tubes they had about 6 Maintenance Guys in the 9 digit club. Nothing sinks home the point of safety then talking to the guys in the 9 digit club and seeing the gory pictures. It was part of Safety Training.

It's like a seat belt.... As you face is going through the windshield you suddenly remember you had a seat belt.

My point is that you should not suggest that anyone disable a safety switch because you think it is OK. It is not. Do what you want with your own machine. Someone new may not think it through and follow your advice and remove the safety switch.

Then his lawyer knocks on your door.

AL

[Jeff_Birt]

My third door sensor just went down. I've got less than 30hrs cut time showing. I purchased this machine the last of Aug. Can anyone advise me on the close door sensors.


Something else has to be happening to cause your cover switch problems. Do you still have the probe jack in your Z-truck? If so is there a small, 1/4" wide ribbon cable running from the Z-truck up to the Z-motor? If so unplug the cable from the Z-motor. The little circuit board in the Z-truck is no longer used and can cause a lot of false sensor errors with the 'Close Cover' error being the most common.

If it is not that then I would suggest looking at what you might be doing that could shorten the life of the cover switches. Constantly blowing out a machine full of sawdust with high-pressure compressed air could sure push sawdust into the switches. Do you lower the cover down by hand or just let it fall? Over extending a micro-switch is a common cause of failure. I'm not after 'blaming' you for the problem but rather just wanted to point out a few failure modes that could be user related.

[vintagecop]

Thanks to all who answered my problem on the repeated open cover sensor problems. atauer, Jeff Birt, Ask Bud and Celtic wood

To Jeff Birt specifically:
I probably do let the cover drop. I will watch that. I don't see a 1/4" ribbon from the Z truck. I do blow it out frequently. what pressure should I be using. I had it turned down to 80. I just turned it down to 40 and that seems to do a good job. What do you suggest.

Can a switch be re-habed if saw dust get into it?

Thanks again to all.

JIm

[Digitalwoodshop]

Things that can cause a open cover error.

A bad switch or a switch with sawdust in it.

Loose screws holding the switch in place or the plastic holes that the switch screws go into are cracked or pushed toward the center of the machine not letting the clear cover reach the switch all the way.

Using Options and monitoring the LCD display use something to push in the switch activator and see if the LCD changes to Closed.

The clear cover little arm or bump might be cracked or short.

The Screws holding the clear cover might be loose letting the clear plastic cover not reach the switch.

While you have the Close Cover Error use options to check other data like the Z and Y position and move the Axis and see if the LCD reads something other than 0000.

I had a shorted or pinched wire on my board detector cause the computer to not see data like closed cover, z and y data. That problem will require a trip to LHR.

If you have the OLD Z and the 5 wire cable from the Z Spindle that was formerly used to bring probe data to the computer can pinch and short out the close cover and Z and Y data buss lines to the computer.

In the New Z Bundle this cable is no longer used and is pulled out. Even with the old Z pulling it out will just not let you use the probe but solve shorting problems.

Here is a picture of the old 5 pin Z cable that is not used now.

If you ever remove the top cover with the clear cover attached, be careful moving it as the clear cover rests on the switches causing them to break. Support the clear cover.

Loose white plug to the circuit board from the left switch.

And last but NOT Least....


Plug from the left switch installed 180 degrees out. It will fit, I know, I did it. The White wire from the left plug must face the center of the machine.

AL

[TerryT]

Can a switch be re-habed if saw dust get into it?
JIm
The two switch halves snap together. Just unsnap it and clean out. If there is no sawdust in it then take your wifes emry board or some 400 or 600 sandpaper and slide it between the contacts once or twice on each side. Snap it back together and you should be set to go. I only had to do it once and have not had a problem since.

[Jeff_Birt]

To Jeff Birt specifically:
I probably do let the cover drop. I will watch that. I don't see a 1/4" ribbon from the Z truck. I do blow it out frequently. what pressure should I be using. I had it turned down to 80. I just turned it down to 40 and that seems to do a good job. What do you suggest.


#40 is probably OK. I found out just like you did that #40 works just as well as #80. I think the biggest risk with blowing a machine out is doing so when the machine is completely packed with sawdust. I always vacuum out as much sawdust as I can and then use air to get the little bit that is left.

If you don't see the small ribbon cable then chances are you have the new Z-motor assembly so you don't have that problem to worry about.

As for the cover dropping. If done a lot then it has the potential to cause the switch to fail as well as just cause it to move out of adjustment. Some folks have reported finding a compatible micro-switch at Radio Shack.

[vintagecop]

Thanks to all. I've had so many suggestions and answers it amazes me.
It is a learning process and I am a step one.
Jim

[hunkeydorey]

For over two weeks my unit has been out of service with a FALSE open door error that is not resolved. One of CarveRight's second level technician had me short the sensor to quckly identify whether it was a real or false open door error and alas, it was a false error. So far, we have upgraded my old A system and removed the old small flat cable for the probe, replaced two circuit boards, the large flat cable, and the Z-Axis tractor assembly and the false error continues.

I am at a loss and would appreciate any suggestions?

HELP, Larry a new "old" member :)

[AskBud]

For over two weeks my unit has been out of service with a FALSE open door error that is not resolved. One of CarveRight's second level technician had me short the sensor to quckly identify whether it was a real or false open door error and alas, it was a false error. So far, we have upgraded my old A system and removed the old small flat cable for the probe, replaced two circuit boards, the large flat cable, and the Z-Axis tractor assembly and the false error continues.

I am at a loss and would appreciate any suggestions?

HELP, Larry a new "old" member :)
Too bad your signature does not reflect the City & State you are in! You might have a fellow carver just down the way that could assist you.
AskBud

[Digitalwoodshop]

Larry,

That was a "Good Thing" that LHR had you do replacing the parts.... I see you are on post 4 and have been a forum member since 2007.... Same as me.... Good to hear you are using your machine.

The first thing I would check after replacing all the parts that you did is weather you plugged the left cover switch into the plug 180 out..... Look at the wires on the plug at the circuit board and the white wire in the bundle needs to be pointed toward the center of the machine.... 180 out will give you a constant open cover....

If this does not fix the problem then....

With a small object press in the left switch while holding the cover open while monitoring the switch status on the LCD. Using Options, Sensor Data, and Cover.... Should say Open and Closed.... depending on if it works.....

If that does not work.... Crank the head down on a board and place a piece of copy paper under the rollers. Using Options and Sensor Data Again look at Board Sensor.... You should get 140 to 156 with white paper.
80 and above could be a dirty lens, outside and inside....

A ZERO.... reading can tell me that a wire is pinched.....

Let us know what you get....

You can also call me if you get stumped.... My number in on the bottom of my web page listed below.

Good Luck,

AL

And the old version is a 18 pin not a 16 pin.... My bad...

[Nighthawk12]

Take a look at the connector that comes from the cover switch on the key pad side and check to see if its pluged in upside down. I did that once when I worked on my Carvewright and that its pluged in all the way.


Jim

[Pratyeka]

I find it deplorable that a supposed "safety switch" causes problems to so many. Those switches are not the right kind for reliable operation, in my opinion. That is one reason why I jumped both switches, other than taking the whole plastic top cover off. What I do for safety when changing bits is take the flex cable off the Z truck.

As has been said numerous time before, do not use the door to stop the machine during carving. The tiny micro-switch that cuts the motor off cannot handle the current and will burn in no time. Always use the stop button on the keypad.

[Digitalwoodshop]

I find it deplorable that a supposed "safety switch" causes problems to so many. Those switches are not the right kind for reliable operation, in my opinion. That is one reason why I jumped both switches, other than taking the whole plastic top cover off. What I do for safety when changing bits is take the flex cable off the Z truck.

As has been said numerous time before, do not use the door to stop the machine during carving. The tiny micro-switch that cuts the motor off cannot handle the current and will burn in no time. Always use the stop button on the keypad.


The Left switch is a low current switch as it passes low voltage, most likely 5 volt logic voltage. The right side switch is much heavier and desired for the cut motor current. I honestly have never heard of a right side cut motor safety switch burning open.... Dust inside the switch, screws loose holding the switch, and loose cover hinge screws.... Unless I missed something...

I believe the left cover switch should have been a magnetic reed switch. Never a dust problem with them.... Most Laser Engravers use magnetic switches for cover safety.

I am betting that the many replaced switches were really GOOD and the screw holes were damaged at one time when the top cover was removed and the clear cover was resting on both switches damaged the screw post holes.... Letting the new switch slide back after a time. I could be wrong but it's a WAG.... The Clear Plastic Cover was not designed with a Mechanical Stop and when the top cover is removed and the tech is not aware can let the weight of the clear plastic cover press and DAMAGE the switches.

Just my opinion.... Been around this electronics stuff a long time...

AL