Air Valve Assembly Test Buttons: All Current CMC Models

Use the Air Valve Test Buttons to test the mechanical functionality of the:

• Clamps

• Head Lift

• Blade Cartridge Plunge

Remove the Gantry Covers by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place and set aside.

Locate the Air Valve Assembly on the top left side of the Gantry.

On the end of the Air Valve Assembly are three Actuator Valves which are stacked on top of each other.

Each Actuator Valve has a manual test button.

Note: Some 8500e’s have two Actuator Valves on the top of the Gantry, and one on the back of the Board.

The top Actuator Valve activates the Clamps.

Press the top Actuator Valve Test Button with a ball point pen and the Clamps should engage.

If the Clamps engage when the Actuator Valve Test Button is depressed, then the mechanical portion of the Actuator Valve is operating correctly.

If the Clamps do not engage during a cut:

• Check the electrical leads (two small black wires) going to the Actuator Valve and make sure the connection is securely plugged in.

• Make sure that the Board Cable (large cable that connects the Gantry to the ECU/Driver Pack) is securely plugged in.

*Note: Some 8500e’s have two Actuator Valves on the Gantry and one on the back of the Board.

The Actuator Valve for the Clamps is on the back of the Board and has black Air Lines attached to it.

The middle Actuator Valve activates the Head Lift Piston.

Press the middle Actuator Valve Test Button with a ball point pen.

• The Head should drop down onto the matboard.

• If the Head drops to the mat when the Actuator Valve Test Button is depressed, then the mechanical portion of the Actuator Valve is operating correctly.

If the Head does not drop down to the mat during a cut:

• CMC 8500eSBT/8500e/8500/8000: Disconnect the blue airline on the Head from the Head Grabber Arm.

  • There should be constant air pressure (65 psi) coming from the blue connector on the Head Grabber Arm.

  • If there is no air pressure, check the Air Source.

• CMC Z1/Z/9000z/9000: Disconnect the blue airline on the Head from the Head Grabber Arm; there will be no current air pressure coming from the blue connector.

  • Go back and press the Head Lift Test Button; there should now be air pressure coming from the blue connector on the Head Grabber Arm.

  • If there is no air pressure, check the Air Source.

• Check the electrical leads (two small black wires) going to the valve and make sure the connection is securely plugged in.

• Make sure that the Board Cable (large cable that connects the Gantry to the ECU/Driver Pack) is securely plugged in.

Note: Some 8500e’s only have two Actuator Valves on the Gantry. The Actuator Valve for the Head Lift Piston is the top valve.

The bottom valve activates the Blade Cartridge Plunge. Make sure the Blade Depth Dial is set to 10 or less.

Press the bottom Air Valve Test Button with a ball point pen.

• The Blade Cartridge should plunge.

• If the Blade Cartridge plunges when the Air Valve Test Button is depressed, then the mechanical portion of the Valve is operating correctly.

If the Blade Cartridge does not plunge during a cut:

• Disconnect the red airline coming from the Head to the Head Grabber Arm; there will be no current air pressure coming from the red connector.

• Go back and press the Blade Cartridge Plunge Test Button; there should now be air pressure coming from the red connector on the Head Grabber Arm.

  • If there is no air pressure, check the Air Source.

• Check the electrical leads (two small black wires) going to the valve and make sure the connection is securely plugged in.

• Make sure that the Board Cable (large cable that connects the Gantry to the ECU/Driver Pack) is securely plugged in.

Note: Some 8500e’s only have two Actuator Valves on the Gantry. The Actuator Valve for the Blade Cartridge Plunge is the bottom valve.

Reinstall the Gantry Cover(s), replacing the screws you removed earlier.

Report your findings to Technical Support.