FAQ
There are a number of reasons that a display won’t turn on, mostly having to do with power reaching the screen. It is easy to verify that power is reaching the screen.
On a SawGear, the LCD screen is back lit if it is receiving power. On our other machines, there is a small LED immediately to the right of the TigerStop logo on the keypad. That LED will be lit green if power is reaching the keypad.
This frequently means that the safety chain isn’t made on an Advanced Interconnect Kit (AIK). Pull the kill line, push the E-stop, and then reset both to the safe position. If your AIK has a large box with a clear plastic top, then you’ll also need to push the blue ‘safety reset’ button on that box.
If the LED is off;
Start by checking power into the machine. Use a multi meter set to AC voltage, and measure the power as it leaves the wall or on the power cable as it enters the amplifier (or the SawGear Powerhead). DO NOT unseal and open the amplifier for this step, or at any other time while the amplifier is plugged in.
Check the fuses by removing them, one at a time, and testing for continuity with a multi meter. If your amplifier is silver, then there is likely a fuse drawer on the outside of the amplifier where the power cable plugs in (8A, 250V, fast-acting). The other fuses are located inside the amplifier. DO NOT open the amplifier until the power cable has been unplugged. See the Amplifier Installation Guide for complete instructions. You’ll find a row of two or three fuses (1A, 250V, fast-acting) on the exposed edge of the amplifier. If the amplifier has no fuse drawer, then there is also a single fuse (8A, 250V, fast-acting) near the bottom edge of the circuit board, between incoming power and the round tower capacitors. The SawGear Powerhead has no internal fuses, but there is a fuse drawer as on the modern amplifier.
If the LED is off, power is reaching the amplifier, and all of the fuses are good, then it’s time to check for power leaving the amplifier. Make sure the amplifier is sealed, plugged in, and turned on. Use your multi meter to measure DC voltage on the six pin circular port on the back of the amplifier. Be careful not to bridge between the pins with your probe, as this can blow a 1A fuse. Measure between the center pin and the first pin counter-clockwise from the notch (i.e. the first pin counterclockwise from the gap between pins). You should see a steady ~24VDC (20-28V is fine). If you don’t, it’s time to replace the amplifier.
On a SawGear; if you verify fuses and incoming power but the display isn’t back lit, then it’s time to replace the Power Head. Contact complete the Got Questions form on this page or give us a call to schedule a service call.
If the LED is off but power is leaving the amplifier, then there is most likely a problem with the controller cable or with the controller. If additional working TigerStops are available, test the suspect controller and the suspect cable in those systems (separately). If not, ring out the cable and then replace the controller if the cable tests well.
If the screen doesn’t power up, but TigerStop seems to respond normally to commands, the screen contrast may be set incorrectly. You can restore factory settings to reset the contrast. This is also a good thing to try when a SawGear is back lit but the display doesn’t light up. Restore factory settings.
This typically happens because of a keypad membrane problem. Replacing the keypad membrane usually solves the problem. Keypad membranes are available for version 4 and 5 electronics as well as for the SawGear.
On the TigerStop product line, the keypad membrane can be tested in boot diagnostics. Using Boot Diagnostics to test keypad. Boot diagnostics are not available on the SawGear or on electronics earlier than version 3.50.
There are a number of factors that will prevent a machine from properly homing. These include the motor, the amplifier, the encoder, the end sensors (limit switches), and mechanical difficulties. Most of these possibilities can be tested in boot diagnostics. On version 4 electronics, boot diagnostics are accessed by holding down the ‘program list’ button while powering up. On version 5 electronics, boot diagnostics are accessed by holding down the ‘stop’ button while powering up.
Boot diagnostics are not available on the SawGear or on electronics earlier than version 3.50. If you have a SawGear, try repeating the first power up (page 10 of the install guide). This solves many startup problems. Another troubleshooting tactic is to separate the Powerhead from the measuring bar to see whether either of them acts up independently. Watch the boot diagnostics video here.
This is most commonly an end sensor problem, although it can also be a minimum limit problem or a mechanical issue.
How to Test the End Sensors manual and video
Check Minimum / Maximum Limit Settings
Use the Motor/Belt Replacement Guide to dissemble TigerStop and check for debris.
There are many reasons why TigerStop can stop in the middle of a move. The Common X out Causes and Fixes document will help troubleshoot this issue.
That’s not a straightforward question. There are a variety of types of inaccuracy, each of which can come from more than one cause. How to Troubleshoot an Accuracy Problem.
Some TigerStop products are ambidextrous, but are shipped from the factory as a [right or left] hand machine. To use TigerStop in the opposite direction, follow the instructions in the TigerStop installation manual on page 8 and 16.
No. This noise is normal. You will frequently hear this noise when the TigerStop is holding at a constant position.
Most tooling processes are louder than this noise anyway, but if you want the noise to stop while you’re doing quieter work in the shop, you can use the ‘sleep’ functionality to make the noise stop. The easiest way to access (and exit) the sleep mode is by using the power button on the keypad. Sleep mode can also be activated based on a timer. Sleep is not available on version 4 and earlier electronics.
Be aware that while the machine is asleep, it will not hold its position. In other words, you’ll be able to manually move the positioner and it will not return to the original position. However, it will track this motion and reflect the proper position upon awakening.
The sleep timer setting puts the machine to sleep after a given amount of time. On most of our machines, the sleep timer is set in seconds. It is accessed via the ‘options’ menu. On a SawGear, the sleep timer is set in minutes. It is accessed by pressing ‘D’ button followed by the power button. Setting the timer to zero on any machine prevents sleep mode from automatically occurring.