LT-55 Laser Templator

your queston or concern is what?

Somebody can't read a tape measure?

GA ozzb, though it is possible the machine is not calibrated to its processor, meaning he needs to put a tape measure on the part. I.e check a machine foot = a foot.

My question is, has anyone else had this problem before? and if so, what was the cause and solution? As for the tape measure comment.......I am thinking that as well.

Yeah my brother works for cabinet maker they have the problem all the time. Tops that go into a corner the walls are not straight. The corner isn't a perfect 90°. None of these are taken into consideration by the person making a template for the counter. They don't take notice of what the previous installer did to make it work.

Even so you need to be sure the problem is not machine calibration. Just because the machine followed the contour of the edge of the top that has been returned because its too big. Does not mean that the calibrations right. Calibration should be checked periodically.

How does the new top match up to the template that was made for the replacement?

they are heavy anywhere from 1/4 to 2 inches

I'm guessing by 'heavy' you mean oversize?

Are they always big? You would think if it was measurement error it would be more random. Is someone measuring then adding a bit? Perhaps you should get the surveyor to check some pieces before they go to site.

Your powers of explanation are so poor, that might be your problem you are having!!!

I got:- heavy marble(?), CNC Machines, something is wrong(?), but very little else.......

MORE DETAIL PLEASE!!!!! A LOT MORE!!!!

Do you measure the grante when taken off your table?

What are the finish products size compared to your specifications you recieve. is the finished project the same?

If that is the case the problem is the information you get.

Yes Heavy as in over sized. This happens about once every 3-5 jobs that I get to program. I feel that it is the Templater. I have found, in my experience that 90% of all mistakes are operator caused. But, in the same breath, I know that the LT-55 has never been calibrated since it was purchased 3+ years ago. Not sure how much more clearer I can get with what my problem is. Does the laser have to be level when templating? anyone have any other suggestions or ideas?

On another note, I would get rid of my Templating guy but only have one problem, he is the owners wife's, Kid. And I have tried my damnedest to get another one of my hand fabers to template but I am always over-ruled when the owner gets wind that his kid is not assigned to a job. Don't think I need to explain more on this.

90% of all mistakes are operator caused.

and the other 9.999% also.

But, in the same breath, I know that the LT-55 has never been calibrated since it was purchased 3+ years ago.

Is it consistent as in repeatability. whether it was calibrated or not. it would still have repeatability. If not there is something wrong with the machine such as feed back sensors/mechanisms.

And I have tried my damnedest to get another one of my hand fabers to template but I am always over-ruled when the owner gets wind that his kid is not assigned to a job. Don't think I need to explain more on this.

That I understand, if its a procedural thing, I have found that the people directly involved have a better understanding how things should run. No I didn't say run it under his radar. But point out the costs that is happening due to his the current procedure. give man-hours on rework, material, costs. in a dollar figure. And let him think its his idea. The owner should understand that.

p911

Or shoot the owners son!!

Just a guess...

Is there a scale factor set in the controller base parameters? I've seen that happen when someone scaled up a job on the machine and then forgot he did it.

Or possibly tool comp offset register settings?

What kind of controller?

Hooker

What if you have a mechanicly "loose" sensor that sometimes decides to move, due to temperature, or a loose or broken mounting bracket for the laser or other hardware that shifts, including the cutting table screws or position sensing. These random movements can take a long time to find. Check the end-float in the drive screws for your table.

In electrical control panels there can be "loose screws" in terminal strips that add resistance to a position sensing circuit, or a loose shield that lets noise into a circuit.

It may only seem human sometimes.

Normally the first thing I do is shut it down, kill all the power and tighten all of the connections, actually gently tug on wires to make sure they are clamped vs look OK and then re-energize. We also had one brand of relays that we had 90+ in a control panel and the relays had a recall we just happened to hear about 5 years later.

If it ever worked "right" consistently it's probably not a mis-matched component (i.e. a DC device in an AC circuit or vise-versa, been there now that took some time to find).

Another thing that can re-arrange calibrations in electronics is electrical power filtering. If there is not an uninterruptible power supply ahead of the sensing and control panels you may consider it. If you have large motors starting they can "re-arrange" the program and calibration due to voltage dips or spike's from Variable speed motor drives. Had spikes from electric utility capacitor switching on a 34.5kV line shutting down my A-B process controller at 120 vAC, yes they get thru, added a power filter and it worked OK.

Maybe these will help eliminate some of the problems. There are more ideas, but this is where to start.

Hi,

this seems to be mechanical play acting together with friction.

Very often in abrasive environments and with non-adequate shielding from dust and water and dirt and small stone- or glass- or grinding wheel particles there is high wear and this will give frequent errors. The play of nut of the spindle drive will only be transmitted to the workpiece if the friction is overcome by any movement -back and forth.

So worn out drives may sometimes give right dimensions and sometimes wrong ones.

Try a spring preload on any of the axes or change the complete system to Linear motor drives.

RHABE