Problem with Epilog Helix laser table when auto focusing
Hi
Not sure if anyone has had this problem on their Epilog but I am hoping someone maybe able to offer an easy suggestion to fix it? About a day after I received my Epilog Helix 2 weeks ago, the table jammed while it was auto focusing. It happend just shortly after the material touched the auto focus plunger. The machine emitted a whistling noise almost as if the motor were still trying to move the table up but it was being jammed. I spoke to Epilog when it happened and they suggested I use a little WD40 on a Q-Tip and rub it around the shaft of the plunger. I did this and it seemed to work fine-after I took the front off and had to manually pull the belt to lower the table. They did ship me a new plunger but because the machine was working I did not see the need to change it. This afternoon the problem started happening again so I lubricated the plunger again and after that never worked changed the plunger - it is still doing the same thing. I spoke to Epilog support again and now they are sending me a new sensor board which is located on the top of the I-Beam and a new main control board as well - just in case....
It seems strange that this is now happening again even though it was fixed 2 weeks ago by lubricating the plunger as was suggetsed. Being in Canada it will take until at least Friday or maybe even early next week before I receive these parts. Until then does anyone have any suggestions as to other things I can try?
Thanks.
PAT
Problem with Epilog Helix
Thanks Shaddy, I was thinking the same thing about WD40 but I figured they would know. I will try the 3 in 1 though and let you know.
Problem with Epilog Helix laser table when auto focusing
I agree with Roy, love the auto focus and find it saves a lot of time. Unfortunate that there is no protection against a jam if you forget
to lower the table before running a thicker material. On my 24TT
I had a problem on warranty, the plunger fell off. The set screw had worked loose. Epilog sent me a new one as the spring in the old one
had stretched, got it the next day but learned how inconvenient it
is to manually focus every time that day.
Fixed at last-the table was not level
Hi everyone
I am hoping I have the problem solved. In speaking with Epilog technical support we determined that the table was not level - it was higher on the right side by almost 1/2". Not sure why this was but it was obviously causing the unit to move up too high on that side and jam. I removed the side panel and and after loosening the belt which moves the table up and down I rotated the right side shaft enough to bring the table up the approx the 1/2" required. I then used the manual focus tool to ensure the table was level at all four corners. After replacing the belt I ran a test run and it seems to be working fine now.
As for using auto-focus vs manual focus I am thinking a combination of both for myself would work but my wife, who will be using the laser most of the time, is insistent she wants the the auto-focus and since she is "the boss";) I am fine with that.
Thanks to everyone for all of your help.
PAT
Fixed at last-the table was not level
Congrats on the fix, you have to be handy to fix these when the techs are in Colorado.