Bob Davis
05-08-2009, 11:32 PM
Hi Epilog owners,
While investigating our relatively new machine (Helix 45w) I discovered something that has the potential to lead to all sorts of problems. It's a very simple but not obvious quirk that can be easily avoided if you're aware of it.
The ribbon cable on the beam can catch on a projection inside the channel unless the cable is routed well away from the side of the channel. The attached photo shows the problem.
The problem will only occur if the machine is engraving on the RHS of the bed. The cable can catch on the nut and either flip itself off the nut (wearing the cable / wearing the connections / eventually damaging the cable / possibly ruining the job) or get caught completely leading to immediate damage.
Quite possibly this is the cause of x axis problems on these machines and can be easily avoided if you are aware of it. If you've been having problems it is worth a check.
While investigating our relatively new machine (Helix 45w) I discovered something that has the potential to lead to all sorts of problems. It's a very simple but not obvious quirk that can be easily avoided if you're aware of it.
The ribbon cable on the beam can catch on a projection inside the channel unless the cable is routed well away from the side of the channel. The attached photo shows the problem.
The problem will only occur if the machine is engraving on the RHS of the bed. The cable can catch on the nut and either flip itself off the nut (wearing the cable / wearing the connections / eventually damaging the cable / possibly ruining the job) or get caught completely leading to immediate damage.
Quite possibly this is the cause of x axis problems on these machines and can be easily avoided if you are aware of it. If you've been having problems it is worth a check.