Z motor? Keyboard?

[Chuck Stone]

GCC Mercury 30w LaserPro

The last few days I haven't had use of the UP key for the Z motor, although
the DOWN key works fine. Also noticed the display cuts out gradually as I
use it. First the bottom line will disappear and the top lines are lighter, then
the top lines go out. Everything still works fine as long as I remember what
keys to press (remembering what would have been on the display) Found that
the display only does this once the machine gets cold. (exhaust port lets in
cold air if the fan isn't running.. or sometimes when it is, if the wind blows
hard enough)

But that Z motor makes things interesting.
I can move the motor manually, raising the table an inch or so for every 40-50
1/4 turns of the pulley. but if I'm using the rotary fixture, that table goes
down so far I can't get my hand under the table through the front. So .. take
off the back, turn on the machine, hit the lower limit switch to stop the table
from going down too far, then put the back on the machine again. (exhaust port
is built into the rear cover) Z motor seems to work fine going down, just not up.

Can't find much in the manuals, but if anyone has experienced this.. am I looking
at a motor problem, switch problem? any sensors in the motor? (doubt it) or is
it more likely the display and/or keyboard?

Ideas? Better workarounds?

[Mark Sipes]

As a trouble shooting step I would pull and reset the cable to motherboard and cable to display/keyboard. These connections, like all electrical connections, can become oxidized and create resistance.

[Chuck Stone]

Thanks, Mark Yep.. did those.. that was first.
I'm reluctant to pull the keyboard, only because I can't see underneath.
But I know those touch pads are often rather simple mechanically.
The keyboard is usually a one piece rubber cover with
conductive pads underneath. Those break down over time too.
I know you can sometimes clean them up with a
scrub pad and clean the contacts/traces under the pads.
but you risk losing the keyboard altogether if you break something.

[Mark Sipes]

On my machine the z and y axis are the same style motor and plugs. Might check and see if you swap the two out if the motor is the problem. The display is another matter. Put some insulation under the display or install a heater to go with the chiller....LOL

[Kev Williams]

If the keypads, switches and buttons on all 3 of my Vanguard's, my IS900 Laser, and every power window/door lock/mirror adjust switch in my wife's Mustang are any indication, I'm betting you have a bad pushbutton!
;)

[Chuck Stone]

you could be right... and I didn't think about swapping the plugs..