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Carriage Stalling, Hunting, or Losing Length After Calibration

Updated

Before You Begin

Confirm the machine model and the component or screen being serviced. Record the original condition so the result can be compared after the procedure.

Retro C: Carriage Movements Stalling or Hunting


If the Retro C carriage stalls or hunts at the end of a movement, follow these steps to resolve the issue

  • Step 1: Clean dust and debris from the GearRack.
  • Step 2: Ensure the carriage is square, and verify that both material feed arms are aligned properly using the guidelines in this article. Alignment Instructions
  • Step 3: Inspect the chain tension. Is it too loose? Adjust as necessary.
Carriage gear rack with dust and debris removed for inspection.
  • If the Chain is too loose you will need to loosen (DON’T COMPLETELY REMOVE) the four bolts holding the Carriage drive motor in place and shift it until the chain is tight.
Carriage drive motor mounting bolts used to adjust chain tension.
  • Step 4: Check the torque tamer.
    • The nut on the torque tamer needs to be extremely tight. The metal slip ring needs to be very tight up against the (orange) slip disc. If it is not (the nut is about to fall off in this image) (this is very bad)) then the nut needs to be tightened.
Loose torque-tamer nut and orange slip disc requiring adjustment.
  • To tighten the nut you need to loosen A) the two set screws and then B) tighten the nut (as tight as you can) using a large Channellock or adjustable wrench. After you have gotten the nut as tight as you can, retighten the set screws.
Torque-tamer set screws and adjustment nut.
  • Step 5: Check that the encoder shaft gear is tight up against the spur gear rack
Encoder shaft gear engaged with the carriage gear rack.
  • Step 6: Remove the encoder’s protective cover and check if either of the metal tabs that hold the encoder in place are broken AND that the set screw is tight. (See Images below)
Carriage encoder under its protective cover with mounting tabs visible.
Close view of the carriage encoder metal mounting tabs.

There are two styles of encoders whichever one you have make sure the set screw is tight so it isn’t slipping.

Second-style carriage encoder with its shaft set screw.
First-style carriage encoder with its shaft set screw.
  • Step 7: Check that the air brake is not dragging when it’s moving.
Carriage air brake location inspected for dragging.

Step 8: Check both of the spur gears on either end of the carriage shaft for obstructions, dust or damage to the gears themselves. NOTE this is a different gear on a different shaft to the one we already checked above.

Carriage shaft spur gear inspected for debris, wear, or damage.

Confirm the Result

After restoring the machine through the approved startup procedure, confirm that the position or count changes in the correct direction, returns consistently, and reaches the commanded value without an encoder, calibration, or overrun warning.

Escalate When

If the issue remains, record the exact on-screen message, affected component, indicator-light state, and the last change made. Provide those details to Enventek Technical Support; do not repeatedly recalibrate or replace parts without identifying the cause.

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