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Gerber System 48 (AR400) CNC Router, spares or repair
Our System 48 developed a fault last year and despite throwing a fair bit of money at it we have been unsuccessful repairing the fault, so it’s time to move it onto someone who can repair and make use of it, or use it for spares.
This has always been a good solid and reliable machine over the 12 years we have owned it until the fault developed. The Y axis is down on power which means the stepper motor isn’t moving the gantry properly in that axis. We swapped the motors around and the fault stays with the Y axis so we have narrowed it down to a fault with the motherboard itself. All the OE connectors have been replaced for block connectors over the years as these are bad for burning out. We’ve also replaced the main resistor pack for a reconditioned one which was quite expensive but it made little difference. All the wiring has been checked out so we’re pretty sure that it’s the motherboard at fault. The board checks out ok on an oscilliscope with no motor load and is sending the right signals but at a lower power – not enough to drive the motor though. We suspect one of the main power transistors is faulty, or a dry joint on the board so this could be a simple enough repair. I haven’t had time to look at it again for months so it sits in the corner of the workshop gathering dust.
We looked at completely replacing the electonics with a modern controller/driver and could do this for around £1200 but to be honest i’m more inclined to just move on and find a more modern router now.
I have no idea what it’s worth as it stands so i’m looking for offers at this time. If it doesn’t sell then we will likely carry on and fix it then sell it as a working machine next year.
The motherboard was replaced when we got it 12 years ago and an AR400 board was fitted by Spandex. It comes with a spray mist (although we’ve never used it), 25m long serial cable, original Gerber user manual and tools (spanners, step guage, collets etc), Artpath and dongle, it’s all there. The bed could do with a new set of acrylic strips as it has been re-surfaced a few times. The mechanical side of it is in great condition and the gantry moves in all directions smoothly and easily. We used it mainly for acrylic and Dibond but have also made a few aluminium race car parts from 12mm plate, which it cut and milled with ease.
Call 07774 718492 or 01569 740100 for more details or to make an offer. It will require a large van or dropside truck to take it away although we can load it at this end easily enough. It is located in south Aberdeenshire.
I’ll get some photos up as soon as i can (once i move all the stuff around it to get a clear shot)
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2 Replies
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Some pics of the machine as it stands. It needs a good clean.
May be able to deliver depending on your area as we’re heading south after Christmas
Has to go to make way for our new router
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This machine is now SOLD
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