gravograph ls100 ex problems

[quinton rossini]

Hey everyone, just started a new job running the gravograph 100 and of course in my first week my machine goes wild. I talked to a tech guy on the phone and had the person doing the job before me come and look at it and neither could pinpoint the problem. Im posting pictures to show whats happening, it almost looks as if the focus is off on the machine. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=89fdb2cb60&view=fimg&th=14dc4d0c60ec5b20&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=a0ab3b83bd8801b5_0.1&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9EAakTcYGKg5RDjQZBjDz27WFT1C7IyhlKN8K NGOIo8RdFDyZ6pBBOYVZcegdZ3G_hXxZ_K4-uAPduLdgaASlgHxLUkPOZuArN_Vqv7m8p4ytA086mpwKDYX8&ats=1433692558557&rm=14dc4d0c60ec5b20&zw&sz=w1566-h608 https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=89fdb2cb60&view=fimg&th=14dc4d0c60ec5b20&attid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=504d0b08bfbd7ceb_0.1&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-Z4rbyOo7gXSbr7JNywo_rxPyFdblcE28OOSMfBwjrn_dK6v_5T Vii2oVAgABEZnd9NZWUFI2c6POA4aELJsuDAT6aTKu1kx9PaBe XJLnJhRo04CNJTd-4X1A&ats=1433692558557&rm=14dc4d0c60ec5b20&zw&sz=w1566-h608

[Kev Williams]

"Im posting pictures"...

No pictures! -- if you can post some maybe I can help--

[quinton rossini]

315262315263

[Steve Morris]

that looks like an error in bidirectional printing where the left to right movement is not stepping the same as the right to left movement, either that or there's a second copy of the data slightly offset probably on another layer of the drawing

[Scott Shepherd]

Or, possibly the beam is splitting because of a bad mirror or lens. The end seems to be sharp in the one where the text goes all the way across, but gets messed up in the middle. That could be an optics issue (the beam splits as it hits the bad spot, sending two beams out to the lens, giving double engraving, but as it moves across that bad spot even so slightly, it goes back to a single beam).

Just a thought and something to check. It could be a number of things, but I'd certainly inspect all the mirrors and the lens really closely to start with if you haven't already done so.

[quinton rossini]

First thing I did was inspect and clean all lenses and mirrors, took the machine apart and cleaned everything top to bottom including filter system. I am guessing now that it has to do with the x-axis but am not knowledgeable enough to know for sure, or how to fix it if that is the issue.

[Steve Morris]

check the pulley on the x axis to see if the grub screw is loose, that would let it flop back and forth at each change of direction, easy fix if it is.

[Kev Williams]

turn on the machine, after it boots take hold of the lens head assembly, and push it back & forth - the belt, lens & mirrors and any brackets should all be snug. Should be no slop in the belt. It should be reasonably taut when pushing on it

Assuming everythings tight, you need to run an alignment test. I'm hoping your print driver resembles mine, I'm assuming so.

From Corel, or the "printers" folder, choose the "Lsolution" printer. (or whatever name you gave it)

You should get this. If so, click on "about of"---

http://www.engraver1.com/work/1.jpg


You should get this. If so, click on the machine icon...

http://www.engraver1.com/work/2.jpg


You should now see this.

http://www.engraver1.com/work/3.jpg


Now you're going to need a piece of something to engrave, about 8x8" I think--

Note the "50%" figure. The machine is going to engrave an alignment test, which consists
of like a dozen rows of hash marks. 50% is the default power, and it runs at 100 speed. Set
the power to what you think is right for the material you're engraving.

Then click on "send test file". This should come up. Run the test. When it's done, your job is
to examine each row of hash marks. Each row is numbered. The "6" below is my best row.
Rows will start with misalignments, like your samples, and will slowly come together, then begin
running out again. Find the row with the best alignment, enter that in your box and click "apply".
Your machine should now be in perfect bidirectional alignment.

http://www.engraver1.com/work/5.jpg


NOW-- if your alignment test won't produce a perfect row of hash marks, you have a mechanical problem,
such as a loose belt, or pulley, or mirror, or...?

[quinton rossini]

Tried this and still no luck, must be something mechanical. We've been trying to get someone in all day to check it out, apparently they are not very quick.