Stop and call the office (513-375-4814) if:
- Diagnosis requires opening an energized panel or taking live readings and you are not qualified/equipped under NFPA 70E for that task
- Safety circuits (light curtains, gates, two-hand controls, e-stops) are bypassed, jumpered or not working
- Platen heaters show signs of burning, melted wiring or arcing
Before you start
- Talk to the operator: what was it doing when it stopped, any alarms, anything changed?
- Read the HMI/controller alarm before resetting anything — photograph it.
- Platens hold heat and stored hydraulic pressure: LOTO electrical and hydraulic, bleed down, let platens cool or use heat gloves.
Symptom → cause → check
| Symptom | Likely causes | Check / do |
|---|---|---|
| Dead — no lights, no HMI | Main disconnect off/tripped, blown control fuse, control transformer | Check disconnect and upstream breaker; qualified person checks control fuses with LOTO-verified meter procedure. |
| Powers up but won't start a cycle | E-stop pulled, gate/guard switch open, safety relay not reset, mode selector | Walk the safety circuit: e-stops, gates, light curtain status lights; reset per machine procedure. |
| Pump runs, press won't close | Directional valve coil not energized, low hydraulic pressure, stuck spool | Check valve coil LED/indicator; compare pressure gauge to normal; listen for valve shift. |
| Won't heat / one platen cold | Failed heat contactor (Press 4), open heater element, thermocouple/controller fault | With LOTO, inspect contactor for burned contacts; ohm heater elements; check thermocouple connection. |
| Position wrong / stops short | Linear transducer fault or loose connector (Press 28) | Check transducer connector and cable; compare position reading to actual; replace transducer if reading is erratic. |
Close-out
- Log alarm codes, readings taken, parts replaced (customer-supplied parts at $0 on the Parts tab).
- Run several full cycles with the operator watching before leaving.
- Note anything that will fail soon (worn contactors, cracked heater leads) as a recommendation.
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