Product

• ThermoFlex^® Mid
• ThermoFlex Narrow

Error

Symptoms

Cause

One of the laser diodes is not working, due to one of the following:

• Light detector is dirty
• Light detector position is incorrect
• Light detector factor is incorrect
• Intensity value exceeds maximum
• Optic lens is dirty
• LDD board is faulty
• Diode(s) do not function
• DDB board is faulty
  

Solution

Notes:

• When the device is working with a reduced number of beams, the number of active beams is automatically reduced. Therefor, after each step in this procedure, you must reset the number of diodes to 23 (or 48).
• Throughout this procedure, after any software or hardware change, expose to test whether the change resolved the problem.

1. Clean the light detector.
   
2. Check that the light detector is functioning properly:
1. In the Hardware tree, select Expose System > Laser System and right-click Laser Group.
2. In the Laser Group dialog box, change the number of working beams in the registry back to 24 (or 48):
   • First Expose laser active - 0
   • Last Expose laser active - 23 (or 47)
3. In the hardware tree, select Others and right-click Lotem ThermoFlex.
4. In the Properties dialog box, change the following parameters:
• Default first laser number - 0
• Default last laser number - 23 (or 47)
5. Check the carriage position value for light calibration.
   If the beams are not positioned over the light detector, some beams (usually the side beams) may be out of calibration range.
   
   1. In the Hardware tree, select Expose System > Laser System, and right-click Laser Group.
   2. In the Laser Group dialog box, change the light detector position parameter value by increments of 1 mm (to a maximum of ±3 mm) and try to calibrate.
      Verify that beams 0 and 23 (or 47) are even.
3. In the Hardware tree, select Expose System > Laser System, right-click Light Detector, and check that the High and Low Dac Factor parameter values match the value on the light detector sticker.
   Note: The maximum factor is 6.06 (or 3.5 for V-speed).
   
4. Verify that the intensity value does not exceed 600 mV.
5. Clean the optic lens.

Warning: Before replacing boards, make sure to wear an antistatic strap.

6. Check LDDs:
   1. Perform laser calibration using the same value at which the problem occurs, and check which diode is weak.
   2. Swap the suspected defective LDD with the nearest functioning one and calibrate again.
   3. If the calibration is successful, replace the LDD board.
      Note: Disconnect the two pin connectors (red and black wires) before replacing the defective LDD board
7. Check whether diodes are weak or dead:
1. Swap the power to the diode by swapping the two pins connectors (red and black wires).
2. Swap the suspected defective diode power cable with the nearest functioning diode power cable, and calibrate light.
• If the problem persists in the suspected defective diode, replace the diode.
• If the problem shifts with the cable to the functioning diode, continue with step 8.
8. Remove the DDB board, clean the connectors, and return the DDB board to its place. If the problem persists, replace the DDB board.

Technical contact(s)

Viki Arviv

Submitted by

Date submitted

24 Aug 2004