Hi I I am new to Glowforge. A friend gave me a machine that I was told was working, However it is most frustrating. I have the Lid Open message which reused to go away so have replaced the black lid cable (which took three weeks to arrive from the USA). I have fitted it a per the video instructions but it has made no difference. I have cleaned the machine and adjusted the connections over and over. Can any one suggest anything I can do please.
Very frustrated Lorraine
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Can you elaborate on what you did when you cleaned it? Really specifically, like what cleaning supplies and tools you used and how you applied them? This is really important to try to differentiate what might be going on. We as a group are very experienced and someone might be able to help once we have more info.
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Hi M, thank you for your wick response I have not tried to clean the contacts. Just the inside of the machine with soap and water, it was dusty and has residue from cutting Medite (MDF). I have not used any tools only fingers to open the contact flaps. I am cautious of doing the wrong thing.
I am experienced in using a laser cutter but not a GlowForge.
Thanks
Lorraine
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Oh, dear. I an afraid it is likely some of the electronics - specifically those related to the components in the lid, which includes the sensors that are giving you the error - were damaged.
Nowhere in the Glowforge maintenance instructions does it reference cleaning using “soap and water”. Physical appearance has no bearing on machine operation, as long as the optics and mechanical function (gantry and head movement) are in decent condition.
Any debris that was dissolved that then snuck into the connectors or onto the delicate electronics could have prevented proper operation.
The Glowforge is a hobby/crafting machine, not an industrial tool. Much of the delicate workings are exposed and subject to damage.
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I am aware that electronics and water don’t mix. Totally avoided all of the electronic components entirely. I think the problem could be a faulty connection on the middle connection./PCB. The lights come on super bright until the lid is closed and then the lights dim. I would have to take the machine apart in order to replace this PCB.
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If the lid lighting changes when the lid is opened and closed, then the issue lies deeper in the machine. The brightness is ulimately controlled by the main control system, as they changed the firnware to dim when the lid is open (something I find annoying, I want it bright when the lid is open…)
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The 2 sensors themselves are at the end of the lights, and only one not reporting will give the lid open error. Obviously, those connnections go past the lights and to the black cable. The one time I had to replace it I had to triple check the three connections as the slightest issue will make a disconection and I had two such problems and it was about 5 tries to get there. When it actually worked, I was shocked if happily so.
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Thank you for your reply, I will persevere with my fingers crossed.
Thank you for your reply I am ever hopeful that I can get this machine to work. It was given to me “ working”so I will keep working on it.
Thank you,
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