Charles Rudisill
04-27-2007, 1:22 AM
Dear Creek Members,
I've been lurking on your forum for some time gathering all of your very helpful and creative information--thank you!
I recently purchased a used Epilog mini 18 (2006 vintage, low hours, very good condition from a fellow SawmillCreek memeber), for a "business" project requiring engraving of patterns on molded acrylic parts.
This was shipped via Fedex Ground in the original packaging, and seemed to arrive without any obvious damage (although I know they tipped the box on the side--at least).
I was going to try to fire up the laser today, but I couldnt get the printer driver to work/activate the USB port. Specifically, my laptop wouldnt let me select any USB ports during installation (during driver installation, the USB ports are not listed in the "printer ports" menu listing for some reason--I'm not sure what is going on there). This may be something to do with my laptop. I thought that USB devices should be always be recognized by Windows that they are attached.
The unit powered up, and homed in both axes. I had a question about the alignment of the x-axis carrier rail/linear bearing with respect to the case and "red dot" laser. I noticed that the x-axis rail is not parallel to the covers/case or the table edge (~3/16"), but nothing appears bent or damaged, and everything moves freely. -- it may be just their assembly tolerances, because again nothing appears damaged or bent, or binding, and this part of the mechanism is pretty well protected inside the case.
Also, the red laser is not aligned in the center of the mirrors at zero zero, and gradually drifts off of the mirror altogether as the mirror is moved to the max x-dimension; it appears to stay pretty parallel to the rulers on the table until it runs off the mirror and you cant the dot. The y axis does not run off. I'm not sure where this laser is located in the optical path of the system, maybe it's off-center and this is normal...? Something may have gotten jarred out of alignment (?).
I guess the proof will be when I can get the driver working and actually fire it up and try some cuts.
Any input or comments would be appreciated. Hopefully I can make some contributions in the future! Thanks in advance for your input. Charles
I've been lurking on your forum for some time gathering all of your very helpful and creative information--thank you!
I recently purchased a used Epilog mini 18 (2006 vintage, low hours, very good condition from a fellow SawmillCreek memeber), for a "business" project requiring engraving of patterns on molded acrylic parts.
This was shipped via Fedex Ground in the original packaging, and seemed to arrive without any obvious damage (although I know they tipped the box on the side--at least).
I was going to try to fire up the laser today, but I couldnt get the printer driver to work/activate the USB port. Specifically, my laptop wouldnt let me select any USB ports during installation (during driver installation, the USB ports are not listed in the "printer ports" menu listing for some reason--I'm not sure what is going on there). This may be something to do with my laptop. I thought that USB devices should be always be recognized by Windows that they are attached.
The unit powered up, and homed in both axes. I had a question about the alignment of the x-axis carrier rail/linear bearing with respect to the case and "red dot" laser. I noticed that the x-axis rail is not parallel to the covers/case or the table edge (~3/16"), but nothing appears bent or damaged, and everything moves freely. -- it may be just their assembly tolerances, because again nothing appears damaged or bent, or binding, and this part of the mechanism is pretty well protected inside the case.
Also, the red laser is not aligned in the center of the mirrors at zero zero, and gradually drifts off of the mirror altogether as the mirror is moved to the max x-dimension; it appears to stay pretty parallel to the rulers on the table until it runs off the mirror and you cant the dot. The y axis does not run off. I'm not sure where this laser is located in the optical path of the system, maybe it's off-center and this is normal...? Something may have gotten jarred out of alignment (?).
I guess the proof will be when I can get the driver working and actually fire it up and try some cuts.
Any input or comments would be appreciated. Hopefully I can make some contributions in the future! Thanks in advance for your input. Charles