GS750 Plus Problems

[DMWMemorials]

We purchased a used GS750 Plus from a company recently and have been using it for cutting sandblast stencil.

For the most part it is working great, but on some jobs, it gets off anywhere from a 1/4" to 1/2" in the Y axis part way through the job. I have never had it lose position in the X axis.

I have tried cleaning and lubricating to the best of my ability, but would love to hear some insight as to what could be causing this and what potential remedies there are. Thanks!

 

[Fred Weiss]

I had an S750 plotter for years which did not have a switch to detect if the tool head ever struck the top Y-Axis limit. So if the job doesn't fit the available area it would just absorb the blow and keep cutting ... resulting in an error such as you describe. I'm not familiar with the GS750 enough to know if it has such a sensor built into its design. I do know that Gerber HS series plotters did have such a feature. That would be the primary reason this could happen to you if the GS750 does not have such a trip off switch. If it does and it is working then disregard my comment. Otherwise, pay close attention to the 28 inches of usable cut area you have available and don't exceed it.

 

[DMWMemorials]

Thanks for the feedback.

Initially I suspected this becuase I first had the blade get off on a job that did push the limits of usable space. Since then, I have had the same thing happen on a job that was only using 20" of Y axis.

 

[Cross Signs]

I have a GS750. There are 27.25 inches available for plotting on this machine. Because yours only makes error occasionally, I would just give the whole thing a good inspection...belts, tractor wheels, etc. I'd even pull the covers off each side and make sure they're are no dust problems

 

[DMWMemorials]

I have read that with some plotters people can slow them down when they get older to get better cutting. Is this possible with a GS750 Plus? Thanks!

 

[Tony Teveris]

Depending upon your software you are using to drive the cutter. Omega or even older GA allows you to control the speed.

 

[J Hill Designs]

I have it happen when it "sticks" in the mask/backing, so it thinks it moves but doesn't and starts the next letter higher/lower depending on which way it was travelling when it stuck

 

[Fred Weiss]

That plotter is pretty slow anyway. Are you using a 60 degree blade to reduce blade drag and is it sharp?

 

[DMWMemorials]

I am using a new 60 degree blade and slowed a job down to 50%. I still had it move near the end of the job.

The job I cut was fairly simple and I couldn't see anywhere where the blade could have stuck or grabbed. I have also cleaned and lubed everything and can't see any possible signs.

I am starting to wonder if I am getting a software or communication error? The RS-232 cable 25DB connector that came with the plotter only has Pins in 2,3 & 7. I see in the manual it should have Pins in 4 & 5 as well. The manual says Pins 4 & 5 carry signals RTS and CTS. Could this be a problem?

 

[DMWMemorials]

I have exhausted all the things I can think of to resolve this. I can cut the same file that gets off in the Y axis twice in a row with the plotter getting off at the same time. Should that lead me to believe it can be a software error do to the repeatability of the error?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks!