KnowledgeBase

Troubleshooting Guide – L-743

Troubleshooting Guide – L-740 or L-730 Series

 

 

Problem Possible Solutions
1. Laser Turret Spinning & A-1519/1520 Target Not Detecting Laser (target LED not illuminated)
  • Turn off laser power supply and turn back on – All L-740 & L-730 Series lasers have a power-protection circuit that needs to be reset if a power surge causes the laser to turn off.
  • Turn off rotation of laser if the beam is ok, check target battery
  • Check where beam is hitting on Target – if it hits too low, target will not turn on.
2. Turret Spinning – Laser Beam Not On
  • Turn off laser power switch and turn back on again.
  • If it doesn’t come back on, then it’s a possible blown laser diode – send back for repair.
3. Laser Beam On – Turret not spinning
  • Check rotation switch is turned on.
  • Check rotation speed knob is turned up.
  • Check batteries – if the battery is low, there may not be enough voltage to spin the turret but the laser may still be visible.
  • Laser is in too cold an environment. Cannot be used below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C).
  • Belt drive may be broken – if so, return for repair
4. Laser not Spinning & No Laser Beam
  • Check power supply is connected.
  • Replace batteries in the battery pack
  • Check power supply connector. Look at female connector on he laser and take small screw driver and widen split in pin inside the female connector.
  • Check A/C power source. Use second A/C power supply if available.
5. Noisy Target (A-1519/1520) Readings on PDA
  • NOTE: on average the user can expect .00002”/ft to .00005”/ft (0.0025 mm/M- 0.004 mm/M) of noise in good operating conditions.
  • Check for vibration in laser instrument stand (tripod) or surface the laser is sitting upon. If laser is mounted on a machine tool, try turning machine tool off.
  • For very noisy readings check for rotary lights (like on fork lift) or strobe lights – this will look like a “laser” to the target.
  • Check for air turbulence – air conditioning vents right over target? Check for open doors in summer or winter. See manual for Atmospheric Conditions.
  • Check for reflections from metal surfaces by turning off the rotation of the laser and slowly rotating it by hand to look for reflections – dim overhead lights if possible.
  • Check for excess background light – use light shields – a warning may pop up on PDA display
  • Make sure only 1 laser is hitting the target at one time. Turn off other laser plane rotation to see if this helps.
  • Check to see if the target is not facing/pointing directly at the laser (within +/- 5 degrees)
  • Check light frequency 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz for Background Light Correction feature of A-1519/1520 targets– see Target Utility Manual. North & South America is 60 Hz. Europe, Australia and parts of Asia are 50 Hz.
  • If PDA is plugged in, try unplugging PDA from A/C adapter
  • Check for possible radio interference.
6. No target readings in PDA – Target LEDs Illuminated (means target is detecting laser)
  • Check Zigbee radio communication. (2) green LED lights in top PDA boot, (1) solid, (1) blinking. If no lights, hold green power button down for (3) secs and release, restart PDA and tap Cancel on Unidentified USB Device Pop-up.
  • Check Radio Receiver battery – plug in A/C adapter to ensure it has power.
  • Make sure “check box” to the left of the display window in Read9 (see manual) is checked for each target.
  • Check channel setting (system ID) on A-1519/1520 matches the setting in PDA – See Read9 Manual.
  • Check Target ID on A-1519/1520 is set to 1-4 for 1st screen or 5-8 in 2nd screen in Read9.
  • Target is too close to laser (target LED’s will blink)
  • Check for reflections
  • Check for strobe lights and rotary lights.
  • Check for excess background light (normally target LEDs will blink)
  • Plug target into computer via USB cable & open Target Utility software. If software shows reading, then there is probably a problem with the radio.
  • Make sure PDA has same radio frequency as Target (900 MHz or 2.4 GHz)
  • Hit reset switch on target (use paper clip in hole near Target ID/Channel Selector Panel).
  • Laser could be hitting too low or high on target window (it should be near the window). It’s possible for the laser to activate the auto wake up feature of target but not enough of the beam is hitting the PSD (target sensor) to get a reading.
7. No target readings in Software – Target LED Illuminated
  • Check A-910 Radio Base Station is connected to USB port
  • Check to make sure the correct COM port is selected for the USB Bridge Controller – see Windows Device Manager (has to be lower than COM10.)
  • Check Device Manager in System Icon in Control Panel. Set COM port for USB Bridge Controller to lower than COM10.
  • Make sure the correct target ID is chosen in Machine Tool Geo or Read8.
  • Check channel setting (system ID) on A-1519/1520 matches the setting in A-910 – See Target Utility Manual.
  • Check SND/RC LEDs on A-910 are blinking. See Target Utility Manual.
  • Make sure ACTUAL TARGETS (RADIO in Plane5) is selected in Read8, Plane5 or Machine Tool Geo software.
  • Make sure Antenna is connected to A-910.
  • Target is too close to laser (target LED’s will blink)
  • Check for excess background light (normally target LEDs will blink)
  • Make sure A-910 Radio Base Station has same radio frequency as Target (900 MHz or 2.4 GHz)
  • Laser could be hitting too low or high on target window (it should be near the window). It’s possible for the laser to activate the auto wake up feature of target but not enough of the beam is hitting the PSD (target sensor) to get a reading.
8. Target LEDs Blink – Laser Beam OK and Rotating
  • Check for reflections
  • Check for strobe lights and rotary lights.
  • Check for excess background light (normally target LEDs will blink)
  • Check to make sure the beam is not being clipped by an obstruction or not on the edge (upper or lower) of the PSD sensor.
  • Laser rotation may be too slow.
  • Make sure 2 lasers are not sweeping across the target.
  • Make sure target is facing the laser within +/- 5 degrees
  • Hit reset button on target – possible target could lock up. Use paper clip – see Target Utility Manual
9. “OFF TGT” Shown in Target Display – PDA
  • This means the radio communication is working but the target does not “see’ the laser.
    • Make sure laser beam is not blocked
    • Make sure laser beam is bright
    • Check power laser power supply, especially if using a battery pack.
10. Cannot See Level Vials
  • Turn on level light switch
  • Turn on master power switch
  • Check power supply connection.
11. Run Time Error in Software
  • Make sure to not unplug the A-910 from the USB port while still in the program.
  • Report to HLI the exact key strokes that created the Run Time Error
12. Software Crashes upon Loading
  • Make sure USB/Serial Converter cable is connected to the laptop’s USB port
  • If problem persists contact HLI
13. PDA Locks UP
  • Hit Reset Switch
    • Nomad PDA – Hold green power button down for 3 seconds and release. Tap on Restart in the power menu.
    • Dell PDA – reset is on right hand side of the back of PDA near the lower right corner of the Radio Module.
    • HP IPAQ – reset switch is located on bottom end of PDA.
14. PDA Turns Off Automatically
  • Check the Power Saving Options selections in the PDA. See PDA manual for details.
15. PDA is frozen
  • Check the Lock Switch on the side of the PDA.
  • If that does not work, hit reset button.
16 Nomad PDA No Communication
  • Check Zigbee radio communication. (2) green LED lights in top PDA boot, (1) solid, (1) blinking. If no lights, hold greenpower button down for (3) secs and release, restart PDA and tap Cancel on Unidentified USB Device Pop-up.

 

Troubleshooting Guide L-700

Troubleshooting Guide L-700

Problem Possible Solutions
1. No Laser Beam
  • Check laser is turned on and check switch. When the laser beam is switched on, the red LED on the faceplate lights up to safely indicate that the unit is on.(figure 1) Also if the LED on front of laser is on but dim, it’s probably a low battery. If LED is bright, then the laser diode has probably failed and unit should be sent in for repair.
  • Make sure laser shutter is open. Use a straight-edge screwdriver to open or close the shutter. (figure 2)
  • Replace battery (new? Inserted correctly?) (See Appendix A)
  • Check for switch damage.

2. Beam Is Not Round
(use white paper to see beam)
  • Clean laser optics with alcohol
  • Make sure optics are not scratched to cracked
3. Beam has satellites
(use white paper to see beam)
  • Clean laser optics with alcohol
  • Make sure optics are not scratched to cracked
4. “—“ shown in Software Target Display
  • This means Software does not see the computer interface.
  • Check target connections
  • Check cable connections
  • Target has to be connected to R-358
  • Make sure R-358 has been charged up (Note: the R-358 takes 3-5 minutes to show a connection to Software when battery is fully discharged
  • Check connectors for broken pins or wires in connectors
  • Make sure in TARGET SETUP that ACTUAL TARGETS is chosen under DATA SOURCE tab. (See Figure 4)
  • Check for kinks in the cables
  • NOTE: Extremely bright light shining on the face of the target can also cause the display to blank out
5. If green LED on R-358 is illuminated, but there are “—-“ in the display
  • Probably means Software has been set to the wrong interface
    – i.e. the R-358 has been set to Hi Res but Software has R-355 Lo Res mode selected. (See Figure Below)

6. “OFF TGT” Shown in Target Display
  • This means Software sees the R-358 but not the target
  • Check target connection
  • Target has to be connected to R-358
  • Check connectors for broken pins or wires in connectors
  • Check for kinks in the cables
  • Make sure laser is turned on (See figure 1)
  • Make sure laser beam is bright (use white paper to see beam)
  • Make sure the beam is hitting the center of the target window
  • -Check to see if target angle is too severe – Note the angular range of the T-261A is somewhat limited, so the angle of the target has to be within =/- 0.5 degrees.
7. Numbers in Target Display Jump Wildly
  • Make sure in TARGET SETUP that ACTUAL TARGETS (not RANDOM DATA) is chosen under the DATA SOURCE tab. (See Figure Below)

8. Numbers in Target Display are noisy
(jump up/down by more than 0.002 mm in 2 meters)
  • Check for vibrations (try turning off machine)
  • Check for warm or cold air (relative to ambient temp)
    blowing between laser and targets
  • Some A/C power charges for laptops are noisy and can cause noise in the measurements. Try unplugging computer.
  • Check laser and target mounting setups to ensure tight clamp.
  • Increase data averaging in Software
9. Software Crashes upon Loading
  • Make sure USB/Serial Converter cable is connected to the laptop
10. No Negative (or Positive) readings are displayed
  • Check for broken wires or pins pushed out of Target connectors. Target will probably need repairing
  • Make sure the screws on Target Connector are tightened in the R-358
11. Get very odd results
  • Possible corrupt Targets.ini file (in Windows folder) or Hamar.ini (in Software32 folder). Rename both files. WARNING this will delete all target setup and calibration factors
  • Make sure the screws on Target Connector are tightened in the R-358
12. R-1307 Readout not visible to Radio Devices The following is applicable to the R-1307 only:

To make the unit visible to all other radio-enabled devices, you must set the Target Network ID and the System ID for the readout.

  • Set the Local Target Network ID
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows
    with the current Target ID () blinking. Use the
    UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID (the default is 01).Press the MENU button again until the lower display shows  with the current Target ID () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to the same value as that of the upper display’s Target ID (the default is 01).
    The upper display will show the vertical (Y) axis position of the local target.
    The lower display will show the Horizontal (X) axis position of the local target.
  • Set the System ID (Radio Channel)
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows , with the current System ID ( ) blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the System ID (the default is 01).

APPENDIX A – Replacing Batteries in the L-700

Replacing the Batteries
The battery pack uses two 9-volt batteries. The batteries are housed in a two-part case which is held together by flathead screws. Hamar Laser recommends using alkaline or nickel-cadmium (NiCad) cells for best performance.

  1. Unplug the battery pack from the laser.
    Pull the probe out of the laser control panel and gently set aside.
  1. Unscrew the cover of the pack.
    Locate and loosen the two captive flathead screws, and remove the cover.
  1. Replace the two batteries.
    Remove the old batteries and replace them with new 9-volt cells, being careful to orient them with the negative terminal out (or up).
  1. Re-attach the cover.
    Put the cover back on and secure it to the battery pack with the screws.

Configuring the R-1307 Readouts

Configuring the R-1307C or R-1307 for a Local Target

Note: Shut off power to the readout before connecting or disconnecting a target from the local port.

  1. Connect the cabled target to the local port of the readout, as shown in Figure 4.
    Refer to Figure 1 or Figure 3 for a description of the control panel buttons and indicator functions applicable to your unit and to Figure 7 for a list of Menu settings.
  2. Set the Measurement Units
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select either for inches or for millimeters.
  3. Set the Dampening Level
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the number of averages. Four (4) is the default setting. Adjust this value as required to suit the application.
  4. Set the Readout Function to Local Target
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select .
  5. Select the PSD descriptor applicable to your target.
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select the Target Number. Refer to Figure 7 and the R-1307 Utility for more information regarding PSD descriptors.


The following is applicable to the R-1307 only:

To make the unit visible to all other radio-enabled devices, you must set the Target Network

ID and the System ID for the readout.

  1. Set the Local Target Network ID
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows with the current Target ID () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID (the default is 01).Press the MENU button again until the lower display shows with the current Target ID () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to the same value as that of the upper display’s Target ID (the default is 01).The upper display will show the vertical (Y) axis position of the local target. The lower display will show the Horizontal (X) axis position of the local target.
  2. Set the System ID (Radio Channel)
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows , with the current System ID() blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the System ID (the default is 01).

Configuring the R-1307W or R-1307 as a Master Readout with up to Two Wireless Targets

Note: Refer to Figure 2 for configuring the Readout to display data from one target in dual- axis (fixed beam) mode and Figure 1 for configuring the Readout to display data from two targets in single-axis (scanning beam) mode. Refer to Error! Reference source not found. or Error! Reference source not found. for descriptions of the control panel buttons and indicator function applicable to your unit and to Error! Reference source not found. for a list of Menu settings.

  1. Set the Measurement Units
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select either for inches or for millimeters.
  2. Set the Dampening Level
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the number of averages. Four (4) is the default setting. Adjust this value as required to suit the application.
  3. Set the Readout Function to Master (poll) mode
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select .
  4. Set the Target Network ID for Target A, upper display
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows with the current Target ID blinking.
    • Configure the upper display to show the position of the first scan target (A). Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to the TARGET NETWORK ID switch settings of the wireless target.
    –or—
    • Configure the upper display to show the vertical (Y) axis position of a dual-axis target. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to the TARGET NETWORK ID switch settings of the wireless target.
  5. Set the Target Network ID for Target B, lower display
    Press the MENU button until the lower display shows with the current Target ID blinking.
    • Configure the lower display to show the position of the second scan target (B). Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to the TARGET NETWORK ID switch settings of the second wireless target.
    –or—
    • Configure the lower display to show the horizontal (X) axis position of a dual-axis target. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to match the TARGET NETWORK ID of Target A.
  6. Set the System ID (Radio Channel)
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows , with the current System ID () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the System ID (the default is 01) to match the System ID switch setting common to all wireless targets that are part of a system.

Note: A “system” consists of one master readout, additional readouts in copy (listen) mode and up to two wireless targets. If you intend to use more than one system within radio range of each other, you must set each system to a different System ID (radio channel)

Figure 1 — Using the R-1307 with up to two Unitargets in Single-Axis (scanning) mode

 

Configuring the R-1307W or R-1307 as a Backup Readout for Wireless Targets

Note: Refer to Error! Reference source not found. or Error! Reference source not found. for descriptions of the control panel buttons and indicator function applicable to your unit and to Error! Reference source not found. for a list of Menu settings.

  1. Set the Measurement Units to match the settings of the Master Readout
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select either for inches or for millimeters.
  2. Set the Dampening Level to match the settings of the Master Readout
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the number of averages.
  3. Set the Readout Function to Copy (listen) mode
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select .
  4. Set the Target Network ID for the upper and lower displays to match the settings of the Master Readout
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows with the current Target ID blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to match the setting of the upper display ID of the Master Readout.Press the MENU button until the lower display shows with the current Target ID blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to match the setting of the lower display ID of the Master Readout.
  5. Set the System ID (Radio Channel)
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows , with the current channel number () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the channel of the Backup Readout to match the channel of the Master Readout.

Notes:

  1. Readouts configured in this mode will only display data if the Master Readout is present and polling one or more wireless targets.
  2. Backup Readouts must be within radio range of the targets and the Master Readout.
  3. There is no limit on the number of Backup Readouts configured to copy data for wireless targets.

 

Configuring the R-1307W or R-1307 as a Backup Readout to an R-1307 Readout with a Local Target

Note: Refer to Error! Reference source not found. or Error! Reference source not found. for a description of the control panel buttons and indicator functions applicable to your unit and to Error! Reference source not found. for a list of Menu settings.

  1. Set the Measurement Units to match the settings of the Master Readout
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select either for inches or for millimeters.
  2. Set the Dampening Level to match the settings of the Master Readout
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the number of averages.
  3. Set the Readout Function to Master (poll) mode
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows . Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select .
  4. Set the Target Network ID for the upper and lower displays to match the settings of the Master Readout
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows  with the current Target ID () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to match the setting of the upper display ID of the Master Readout. Press the MENU button until the lower display shows  with the current Target ID () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the Target ID to match the setting of the lower display ID of the Master Readout.
  5. Set the System ID (Radio Channel)
    Press the MENU button until the upper display shows , with the current channel number () blinking. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the channel of the Backup Readout to match the channel of the Master Readout.

Notes:

  1. Backup Readouts must be within radio range of the Local Target Readout.
  2. There can only be one Backup Readout configured to copy data from a Local Target Readout.

 

Miscellaneous Display Messages





.

Startup Message. Lower Display shows firmware Revision Number.

 3 moving dots. Wireless target is not responding to a polling request from Readout.
Check ID and Channel settings. Check Target(s).
 3 dashes. Target detected but the laser is not on target. Check laser.




.

Radio channel cannot be selected because no Radio is present or detected. Standard message for R-1307C. For Models R-1307 or R-1307W, this message indicates a fault in the radio module.




.

Indicates a problem with the connection to the Local Target’s Position Sensing Device (PSD). Check plugs and cable(s).




.

Target ‘’ descriptor does not contain target calibration data.

.

Figure 2 – Using the R-1307 with one Unitarget in Dual-Axis (fixed beam) mode

Requirements for Radio Devices

As used in this manual, a system is a collection of radio devices that have been assigned a set of common frequencies, grouped into a channel. The terms channel and System ID are functionally interchangeable.

All radio devices, for example the A-1519 and the R-1307W, need to be configured for the same radio channel in order to communicate with each other. Set all devices that are part of a system to the same channel:

  • Readout: ‘setting
  • Wireless Target(s): System ID switch setting.

Within radio range, or for all practical purposes within the same facility, there can only be one Master Device in ‘mode per system. This applies to any Hamar Laser radio devices, including the R-1307 and R-1307W and the A-910 Radio Transceiver.

There can only be one target with the same Target Network ID per system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q I need to read three targets simultaneously, requiring a second Master Readout. How can I read more than two targets within the same facility if there can only be one Master Device in  mode per System?

A The second Master Readout and the third target must be configured to operate on another Radio Channel or System ID. For every two targets, you will need an additional Master Readout configured to a different radio channel (see chart below).

 

Q My position readings are noisy. What can I do to steady them?

A First, determine why the readings are noisy. In most cases, reading noise is caused by vibration, air turbulence, or drift in the laser or target mounting structures. If possible, take steps to minimize external influences that cause reading instability. Experiment with the Dampening setting (Menu function ). Increase the number of samples to decrease reading fluctuations (note that higher number of samples results in slower response because reading takes longer to update after a change in position).

Set the display resolution to suit you requirements (Menu function . Don’t set the display to .0001″ resolution when you are working to tolerances of .001″ or more. The extra digit will only add confusion if conditions are noisy.

Target Switch Settings R1307 or R-1307W Settings ()
Target System ID (CH) Target Net ID Master Readout 1 Master Readout 2
1 01 01 Upper ,
2 01 02 Lower ,
3 02 03 Upper ,

 

 

 

Appendix A – Replacing the Battery in the L-700 Laser

The L-700 Lasers use a standard, replaceable 9-volt battery for up to 8 hours of continuous use. For best results, use alkaline or rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) batteries.

To install or replace the battery.

  1. Remove the battery cover.
    Using the 3/32” hex key included with the laser, loosen the two hex screws on either side of the bubble level. The screws do not need to be removed.
  1. Slide the cover out.
    Pull the cover straight out of the laser to access the battery.
  1. Replace the battery.
    Remove the battery (rock it gently from side to side to disconnect it) and replace it with a new 9-Volt battery. Make sure the battery is seated in the clips. If the battery won’t snap in, check to see if the clips are bent or distorted.
  1. Slide the cover on and tighten the screws.