posted
I think my plotter has developed a mind of its own. When I turn on the power the <setup> & <pause> LED lights up, with the pause light flashing. After about 10 seconds the pen carriage, without touching any buttons goes to the normal starting plot position. After about another 10 seconds the carriage returns to the right to its original position. It will continue to do this as long as the power is on. The plotter is 8 or 9 years old & it runs 6-8 hours a day 6 days a week. Is there a possibility that the circuit board is fried or on the blink? Any help in solving this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Eddie Kitchens Graphworx
-------------------- Eddie Kitchens Eddie's Custom Signs 8248 Campground Rd Drummonds, TN Posts: 30 | From: Drummonds, TN, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I have one doing the same thing. When you find out what's happening, please let me know. I'm using my back-up plotter right now, but would love to get my CM-24 running again.
See ya, R.T.
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Have you tried unplugging it from the puter to see if it still does it? Sorta wondering if the computer is sending a message to check the status of the machine, like it checks the ink levels on printers. I've never encountered this, just throwing out ideas.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Sorry to hear of your problems Eddie, and sorry I can't offet any explanations. But my CM-24, in recent months has, after cutting one set of graphics, and when set up for the next set decided to make all of its lights start flashing (just like it didn't have any vinyl loaded).
This has only happened a few times and was just a minor incovenience.
I just turned it off and back on and everthing was fine.
Like, RT, I would love to hear what you finally discover is the cause.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Dave- My plotter had done the same as yours a few times but I just turned it off and back on and no problems. Kissy- I thought the same thing but that didn't have any effect on it. I have been on the web most of the day trying to find out the solution. There seems to be other's machines doing it and they all seem to have one thing in common, they're all about the same age 7-9 years old. So far I've had 4 suggestions from other forums and none work. I'm beginning to think it's the main board though. I sent an email to Roland so I hope to find out something Monday. I've never had to deal with Roland's support so I hope I can find out quickly. I'll post the results here as soon as I find out.
[ January 24, 2004, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Eddie Kitchens ]
-------------------- Eddie Kitchens Eddie's Custom Signs 8248 Campground Rd Drummonds, TN Posts: 30 | From: Drummonds, TN, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I wouldn't be too optimistic about hearing back from Roland through email. I sent them one months ago and haven't heard a word since. As much as I like both my plotters (both Rolands), I'm not real happy with their answers about my problem.
MY CM-24 is around the same age as yours and it just lost it's mind one day. It was working fine on the first job of the day and on the next job it went schitzoid on me. Roland support (on the phone) went though some set-up questions, etc. with me, but couldn't actually tell me what the problem was.
They want you to send the plotter to them (about $50 freight one way) and then if it is the main board it's gonna cost around $500-$600 (not including shipping) to fix it. All in all you're looking at 6 to seven hundred dollars to fix a plotter that, nowadays, you can replace for around $1500. In my case, I don't have an extra $600 to get mine fixed right now, but I will eventually get it fixed. I can fix it myself if only Roland will sell me a mainboard, but Roland says they need to test it to see IF it is the main board. Now, the reason I'm not happy with that answer is.....in all this time......are they still that unfamiliar with their own product that they can't troubleshoot the problem over the phone and tell you the most likely reason for failure? And then sell you the part you need and let you do the install. The product is out of warranty, so what's the problem?
Don't get me wrong. I'm not really bashing Roland here. I think they have a good product. I've made lots of money with my machine. I would just like better answers to my questions.
Something smells like fish here, R.T.
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Thanks RT for the reply. I have been happy with my Roland as well. But I have been on the net chatting with a few Roland users that have told me the same thing you're telling me about the support. I did find out that there is a company in Memphis that used to sell and service Roland plotters. So tomorrow I'm calling them. I don't have a backup plotter so I need one in a hurry. I was in the market to buy another one, sprocket-fed, to mainly just cut sandblast mask but I think I had better buy a friction fed one that I can use on everything. Any suggestions there?
-------------------- Eddie Kitchens Eddie's Custom Signs 8248 Campground Rd Drummonds, TN Posts: 30 | From: Drummonds, TN, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
I love my Roland too (I have a CX-24, no problems so far) and can tell you my personal experience with their tech-support is in line with what you've heard. I've actually spoken to real live people there who are to get back to me... been 5+ months now. I got frustrated and asked my question here, which someone then posted on Roland's user forum for me. That was over 4 months ago and the few times Roland responded to that post, it seemed like they were making up questions in their head & answering those cause they never answered my question. Others even stated on that thread that my question was never answered, just danced around and it went ignored.
Another strange thought: is there any new equipment in the area that might be interfering with the cutter?
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Good question Chris!! Sometimes we forget to look for the most obvious simple solutions.
Now I have to think back about 3 or 4 months and try to remember what new stuff I have added.
MY HEAD HURTS ALREADY!!!!!!! LOL
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Just thougt I would add a little to this topic. My CM-24 was acting funny. When you press set up it would advance the vinyl as it would set the margin. Or when it decided to set the margin it would start cutting test cuts one after another. I called Roland and they sold me a new keypad set-up (70.00). I installed it, and no luck! I called again and they say it must be the motherboard. $425 after shipping. Hope it works! It will be here today. Still cheaper than a new one...
-------------------- Robert Davis Sticky Sam's Signs (828)488-1715 stickysam@dnet.net The Great Smoky Mountains Bryson City, N.C. Posts: 133 | From: Bryson City, N.C. US | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
does it do this with the pinch roller in the up position? if so you need to take that end cap cover off 1. you need to remover the top plate on the plotter. 2. the screws to remove the end cap are on the inside and 2 in the bottom, dont forget them. 3. once the end cap is removed look for the lever of the pinch roller....follow it inside on that end...at the end of it is a small solinoid. or trip switch. 4. there is an adjusting screw on the end of the pinch roller lever. see where it is sitting with the lever in the up position. the switch should be totally open...if the lever is out of adjustment it will will cause the trip switch to act erratic....or it wont engage the trip switch when you move it to the down position. 5. readjust lever end. put some finger nail polish on the screw and nut...will help it not come loose(poor mans locktite) if this works ...send$50 checks to address below.....thank you.....heheheh
[ February 10, 2005, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hay Joe, Well, we installed the new main yesterday. No Luck! Then they informed I needed to download a Firmware program to make it run. Long story short we got it to work, but now it does not have enough down pressure. I called Roland and they are sending some paperwork on how to ajust the pressure. I cut a lot of sandblast mask. Now the way it is, it wont even cut 651 with the pressure all the way up. Is this an easy ajustment? Thanks..
-------------------- Robert Davis Sticky Sam's Signs (828)488-1715 stickysam@dnet.net The Great Smoky Mountains Bryson City, N.C. Posts: 133 | From: Bryson City, N.C. US | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
cant help ya there never had this problem with 3 rolands.....my thinking would be the slide for the downforce is bad.....new one is only $10-20 bucks......
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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![[Dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
Dave- My plotter had done the same as yours a few times but I just turned it off and back on and no problems.![[Frown]](frown.gif)
As much as I like both my plotters (both Rolands), I'm not real happy with their answers about my problem.
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