Forest Scientific CNC Routers

MAINTENANCE HISTORY / REPAIR NOTES

The 4x2 table received a vacuum table upgrade in May 2021.  

The 4x8 table received a vacuum table upgrade on October 13, 2021 by Forest Scientific and NW Technical Products.  Andrew Hill was on site on 10/13 and completed table milling and vacuum connections.  Andy indicated that MDF is usually the best spoil board material to use.

2/23/22:  4x8 Table:  While surfacing a slab, the step-down height was accidently made too much (over 1/4 inch).  This blew the 15A fuse driving the router.  The 15A fuse from the smaller 4x2 table was stolen to put the router back online.  This fuse was replaced.  

• Spec for 15A fuse for both tables:   McMaster Carr Part #71385K527, overall length 1.25", diameter .25", ceramic time-delay fuse, Trade Size 3AB, manufacturer equivalent 326, 15 A, 250V.

• Spec for 20A fuse for both tables:  McMaster Carr Part #71385K527, overall length 1.25", diameter .25", ceramic time-delay fuse, Trade Size 3AB, manufacturer equivalent 326, 20 A, 250V. 

3/3/23:  4x8 Table.  While surfacing a slab, twice the machine took a dive in the z-direction (it seemed).  After this, the x-axis stepper was growling.  Additionally, jogging the x-axis, direction was not consistent.  The positive direction button would sometimes make the machine go in the positive direction, but then it might go in the negative direction the next time it was pushed.  After extended phone conversations with FS owner John Martincic (cel 412-726-0574) , it was determined the x-axis stepper was likely bad.  The small cover on the back of the controller was removed and resistances were measured between the four wires going to this stepper.  Black-white was .8 ohm (good).  Red-green was 7.3 MOhm (way too much); Red-white was 6.8 MOhm (again, way too much).  Forest Scientific sent a new stepper.  This was installed today.  In addition, the controller was opened and the 20A fuse holder was replaced so that this fuse could be removed if needed.  The existing holder was broken.  While open, the inside of this controller was vacuumed.  If you need to open the controller in the future, do so by removing the top three screws on the left and the right sides of the controller, and two in the back.  Don't remove any others.

4/17/26:  The FS 4x8 Makerfab.  Periodically for several months now, jobs will be interrupted when the controller powers down unexpectedly.  Per John Paul Martincic of Forest Scientific (412-726-0580), the E-stop button was hammered on and off multiple times.  Additionally, the green on button was pressed aggressively.  The thought here was that dust was in one of these two switches.  Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem.  It was decided that the 12V DC power relay was the likely culprit.  A new one was purchased.  This did not solve the problem.  John Martincic (cel 412-726-0574) finally got involved and it was decided to send the controller back to Forest Scientific for troubleshooting.  They inspected and replaced some parts, and then bench tested it for several days.  It was returned to the school on 5/29/26.  Initially, the on light did not light up, but jiggling some wires resulted in a working light (not a solution that promotes much confidence).  A three-hour job was run without issue.  The shipping container was labelled and put in the F11 storeage room in case it is needed in the future.

5/28/26:  The FS 4x2 Makerfab.  The controller would not power down when the e-stop was depressed.  Both the green on button and the e-stop button were roughly pressed numerous times in an attempt to remove any debris that might have been caught in the button contacts.  Initially this did not do it, but after vacuuming and blowing out the interior of the controller, as well as more fiddling, it finally started working again (by that I mean it no longer would stay on).