Frage Tool length sensor broken?

Hello! I had mislaid the above but I found it accidentally by tripping on its cable. As a consequence it made a rough landing by impacting the ground.

Now it's not working. In UCCNC I get the message "The sensor was active. The operation was aborted". Trying to click the sensor button manually it just drops a couple of mm but there's no click, meaning the limit switch inside is jammed closed or worse.

Is there anything that I can do or should I just order a new one?

Hi,

Rotten luck - it's probably a broken connection inside (should be a circuit when not activated). It must come apart, so have a look inside and see if one of the connections on the microswitch has come adrift.

Whilst it is apart its worth checking each of the wires for continuity from end to end as well just in case.

The microswitch ought to stand many 10s of "G"s before departing this world, but check this as well with your test meter.

Good luck,

Peter.

As Peter says, it just has a green plastic bodied microswitch inside, probably the same Donghai brand as the axes limit switches.

I had a look for these on the Farnell and RS Component web sites but no luck. Not much luck Googling them either so you would need to find an equivalent. StoneyCNC carry spares for the axes limit microswitches.

Surely it will just be a wire severed though and therefore an easy fix?

Doug

Thank you both I'll try to do that tomorrow if my sanity prevails. I blame St.... for not providing me with a foam floor

Hi,

Rapid Online is another source for a range of microswitches - there are a number of standard sizes with different contact ratings. The sensor should use one with a very low rating (100mA DC at most).

Peter

Peter, you'll understand the Prussians had the Pour Le Mérite Order for exceptional feats of valour. I myself was awarded the Pour More Concrete Order for exceptional feats in engineering

Let's not elaborate too much on this, ok?

Myself, I have several times been a recipient of the "Pour more wine" order for aid to those who have dropped clangers!!

Cheers!!

Hehehehe! Peter, I would be a hypocrite if I said I was sorry, but I took the coward's way and simply ordered a replacement from Rory. I am obliged to pay a premium for conservation of what's left of my sanity!

In the meantime, the piece of cigarette paper works beautifully. I don't smoke so I had to go pick some butts