Today's
Sponsors:


Limtech Industries, Inc.

Logosol

Lumber Resources

Lumber Smith

M.L. Campbell

MACHINEKING.com

MARTIN Woodworking Machines Corp.

Mastercam - CNC Software

Maxima Software

Maya Positioning Equipment

Mereen-Johnson Machine Company

Merritt Woodwork

Microvellum

Middle Valley Lumber

Mikron Woodworking Machinery

Mill Outlet

Millwork Inc.

MLS Machinery

Monarch Machinery

Monarch Metal Z Clip and Panel Clip

Moulder Techniques

Mountainside Wood Products

MultiCam Southeast

Multicam, Inc.

Nail Gun Depot

National Decon

New England Drawer

New England Kiln Drying Association

NEWCNC.com

Newman-Whitney

Nyle Dry Kiln Systems

O'Shea Lumber Company

Old Mississippi Brick and Heart Pine Company

Hoffmann Machine Company

Holz-Her US Inc.

Hot Melt Technologies

Howard S. Twichell Co.

Hvalsoe Sawmill Ltd.

ICA North America

Impact Search and Placement

Industrial Air Solutions

Integra Precision Tooling

InTrading

IpeDepot.com

irsauctions.com

Italpresse

J & G Machinery

J and B Hardwood Co.

J&P Machines

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

JMHsoftware.com

Joos USA Inc.

JusDust.com

KCD Software

Kentucky Pacific Lumber

Kerber Farms and Mill

Keystone Wood Specialties

Keytrix Data Systems

Kleiberit Adhesives USA, Inc.

Kreg Tool Company

Kremlin

Lacy Cypress Inc.

Laguna Tools

Leadermac USA

Leitz Tooling Systems

Lewis Lumber Products

Lignomat




Machine Malfunction Traced to Small Mammalian Life-Forms

      Worth a read for fun: A supposed sensor fault in a CNC device turned out to be caused by an atypical interaction with some rodent incisors.October 26, 2011

Question
I had the sensors go out on me today on one side of my 2004 Biesse Rover B, and usually it's an alignment issue. This time I can't get them on at all. I've even pulled a reflector off and brought it point blank to each individual sensor. Any ideas? Bad cable? I've unplugged and reattached what I could as well as reset the machine itself, and no luck.

Forum Responses
(CNC Forum)
From contributor W:
One time on our Rover 24, before we upgraded to a light curtain, I had to make an L shaped piece of MDF and used that chrome duct tape the whole length to bypass the sensors. You may have two bad ones, so testing each individual sensor may not do it. Use the long strip as mentioned above so you can fool every sensor at once. If it then works, you can rule out a wiring problem, then start sliding the piece back to reveal one sensor at a time until you find the problem one.



From the original questioner:
I don't know a whole lot about the sensors, but if I can't get any of them to light up or if two are bad, how would they all light up at once with this method? I am in the process of trying it, I just wondered.


From contributor W:
I'm not sure. It's been about 7 years since we had those sensor bars on our Rover 24. What I mentioned above would rule out any alignment issues. I can't remember if there's an LED on them to show that they have power on each sensor. I think that's what you're referring to as "lighting up."


From the original questioner:
Yeah, that is what I'm referring to. The LEDs on the sensor won't light up at all. I've checked the power to the panel they're wired into and that is fine. I've checked each sensor for power and that is fine as well. I've swapped out a sensor that works on the other side of the machine and that did not help. I'm stumped.


From contributor W:
I'll check my Rover 24 machine electrical schematics tomorrow at work and see if I can find other test points for you. I'd still check for loose connectors or bad wiring.


From the original questioner:
So I pulled apart the arm that all of the wiring runs through and it turns out a mouse had chewed through part of the cable. Repaired the wires and we're up and running. Thanks for the advice.


From contributor W:
Glad to hear you got it sorted out. My hot tub suffered the same problem in the fall!

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?


Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Computerization

  • KnowledgeBase: Computerization: CNC Machinery and Techniques




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2012 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    335 Bedell Road
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB













  •   Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article