We have run into an issue with our Epilog 36EXT 45 Watt laser, where it decides to wander off every once in a while. By once in a while, it might occur one time in a month, then go a couple of months with no problems, then do it twice in a week.
It doesn't wander off only in the X or only in the Y, and the laser keeps firing so we end up with scrap material. I talked to the guys at Epilog and they said it sounds like some sort of data corruption. BTW, yeah we keep the encoder strip clean and do normal maintenance.
Since it doesn't happen when we send the file (doesn't happen the first time we run the job) and it doesn't always happen after running the same file X amount of times from hitting go on the front panel, they think it is happening when the machine is writing the file from the section of memory used to store jobs to the work area for the current job.
We know it isn't the artwork files as these are locked down and can't be changed. It happens when we vector cut (we don't raster much).
The thought is to first buy a UPS and put that on the input to the machine to see if the problem goes away. We are thinking maybe the building compressor, one of our chop saws or who knows what might be causing a power glitch.
They said get a standard UPS that you would use on a computer, a 15 Amp unit. However, a 15 amp unit is almost 500 bucks and I don't think these things need anywhere near that amount.
Has anyone sized as UPS for an Epilog 36EXT running at 45 watts or higher? What works well? Thanks for the input.