Full Version: Xenetech 1624 question
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#8]
4 Jan 2007
To: Pedaler (ROYBREWER) [#7] 4 Jan 2007
I think, from reading all this great information, the proximity sensor could be the problem. That came up during my discussions with Xenetech techs, but like I said, without it being constant, it has been really hard for a tech to narrow it down. The light is still on, and it is just real random on when it works and when it stops coming down to the material. It never happens when I am burnishing or diamond drag engraving, only engraving plastic.
I'm pretty comfortable with my machine and doing repairs to it myself, so I think I'll order a sensor and replace it and see what's what. The machine has been a great workhorse for so many years, that if this is the second problem to come up, I think that is pretty good.
Brushes were replaced in the spring of 2006 (for the first time ever, shame on me!). They were really worn. Also switched two boards to fix a problem in Aug or Sept. Switching the boards to new slots solved that problem. Oh, and I bought a new spindle last year too.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Cindy
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9]
4 Jan 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#8] 5 Jan 2007
That raises a big possibility of micro corrosion, not unusual in an older machine. (High humidity increases this possibility.)
With the unit unplugged, remove and replace every board. Then remove and replace every connector. This will scrape off the micro corrosion from the contacts and you should be good to go from that standpoint for at least five years. While you are at it remove and replace each chip that is in a socket carefully being careful of static charge. (Touch the board and hold it before touching the chip, keep holding it and the chip until you replace it. Do not work on plastic or sit on a varnished stool.)
If a connection is not air tight, very few are, the contact material will form oxides very slowly. Humidity and sulfur fumes increase the oxidation rate and the sulfate rate. It is a natural occurrence. When there is enough corrosion the resistance goes up and at some point it gets high enough to be intermittent in operation, then fails.
Hopefully this simple solution will work for you.
From: logojohn [#10]
4 Jan 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#8] 5 Jan 2007
You were lucky. I forgot to check mine periodically on the Xenetech
and my first reminder was the motor stopped working. After the brushes were gone the wire springs pushing them in got tangled in the spinning part and destroyed the motor.
Had to buy a new one for many hundreds of dollars since I couldn't wait for it to be rebuilt. I got spoiled on the old Carter/Hermes motors would just stop working but not destroy themselves. The grassy knoll crowd might think Xenetech designed it that way to sell more motors. (devil)
EDITED: 4 Jan 2007 by LOGOJOHN
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#11]
5 Jan 2007
To: logojohn [#10] 5 Jan 2007
I can't remember what happened to tell me to check the brushes - obviously something stopped working. I can't believe I didn't ever check them before they went bad. There was about an 1/8th of an inch left of the brush part before going in to the spring. In fact, I felt like an operating doctor trying to get the part out because there wasn't any 'spring' left to the spring to pop the brush out it was so far gone.
I'm usually pretty proactive about machine maintenance, but completely overlooked the brushes.
The sensor is going to be ordered and replaced soon. I'm pretty sure that is the problem for this time. We have little humidity issues this far in to the valley on the west coast - nothing like the eastern part of the country. I'll start with the sensor and see where I end up. With a machine this old, it could be multiple things going on.
I've really decided to keep this machine going because I love it, but I will be purchasing a laser also, hopefully in this year. That will help if the engraver ever goes down - back up machines are great to have. Lessens the stress factor by a bunch.
Cindy
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#12]
5 Jan 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#11] 5 Jan 2007
Your description tells me why you replaced the brushes. It started sputtering, going intermittent. Some brushes are made with short springs to cause that to happen. others have a slot down the side that ends near the spring. There is a tab in the housing that latches on to the end of that slot when it gets too short and stops the brush from being pushed any farther.
The Dahlgren motors used the slot system and saved many motors. Of course the RF snubbing system in the motor burned out the commutator really fast, duh.
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#13]
5 Jan 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#12] 5 Jan 2007
This is how I felt when I saw those brushes
:-$
I was so ashamed of myself for letting it get that bad.
cindy m