Laser was out of commission - FIXED

Discussion
1

The laser isn’t working.

It powers up, but doesn’t do its homing routine, and neither the hardware or software control will move the laser head. Ruby and JobControl both report that the interlock is open, but the lid and doors are completely closed.

I tried phoning Trotec, but they don’t do support on the weekend.

2

The tool control interrupts the lid. Are you sure you are signed in?

3

Tagging people who said they are going to be using it soon: @asander1, @petra, @John.W

1 Like
4

I did the following:

  1. Turned on Laser PC
  2. Tapped tool control - is scrolls a message with my name
  3. Turned the laser on - lights on the hardware buttons flashed, then just the green “on” button
  4. Lid and door closed
  5. Opened Ruby and selected it from notifications
  6. Logged into Ruby, got interlock error message (Howard got the same in Job Control)

Cannot move the laser head.

5

Perhaps entirely unrelated - shutter opening doesn’t show on discourse, so something upstream is wonky.

6

Definitely sounds like an issue with tool control not closing the lid interlock…

Unrelated to the shutter problem…

I can look at it at 6, if its not working by then…

7

Although that is odd, because you should be able to manually move the head even with it open…

8

I didnt know what an interlock is so I had a look at the trotec manual.

Apparently, as well as the top lid, the front and side panels have interlock switches so may be worth checking they are firmly closed.

9

bypassing tool control to see if that does anything, there are several interlocks, opening and closing, checking for debris of all of them might be good (top, two sides,front).

2 Likes
10

The laser is back in operation. Great teamwork @asander1 @Christian!

5 Likes
11

The culprit:

image
E16F5AC5-8962-4C48-93C0-3F77200A633B.jpeg4032×3024 1.67 MB

Will order a new one!

4 Likes
12

Ordered…

1 Like
13

Heroic work on a Saturday evening. Well done.

3 Likes
14

What is it and what does it do?

15

These are the contacts that indicate whether the lid or front / side panels are opened. They all come together via purple cables on the board in one socket. So the machine is in interlock if you have a side panel removed or the front open.

3 Likes
16

New parts are installed! Surprisingly it was the magnet side that went bad - replaced both since we got 'em…

image
4AF718B4-9D86-45C6-A3B7-BF04AB44D37A.jpeg4032×3024 2.26 MB

Part numbers for future reference:

Proximity Sensor:
MFG P/N: 59140-010
Mouser P/N: 934-59140-010

Magnet Actuator:
MFG P/N: 57140-000
Mouser P/N: 934-57140-000

We have 2 of each as spares, will put in the Laser Tech box… @lasertechs

image
0A3CC6D5-75BF-43ED-920E-7CC3DECAC679.jpeg4032×3024 3.98 MB

Cheers,
Andy

17

Also for the Makers’ record… it was the top lid right side that went bad and is now replaced….

image
0DF57851-BAD7-4D43-8EFF-4AF662DD10A9.jpeg2180×1636 582 KB

2 Likes
18

Thanks for sorting this out!

I’ve realised I am more of a documentation / use case / induction / training / user support kind of tech.
I wouldn’t have been able to diagnose the problem, and would probably have been too nervous to swap out the part!

3 Likes
19

Thats ok! We need both for sure! If all we had were fixers, no one would have access to the tools!

3 Likes
20

It’s really curious. I had forgotten it wasn’t working and tried to use it yesterday. It wouldn’t work for me but did work for someone else who used it right after me. :frowning: