Controller Board

Replace the controller board that acts as the brain of your laser machine.

Control / Circuit Boards :

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Introduction

Introduction

In this lesson we’ll walk through replacing the Epilog Mini/Helix Controller Board.

Record Settings

If your machine will boot up, we’ll start by writing down some settings that will save you time later. Press the Go and Pointer button at the same time to access the Function menu and cycle through the headings by pressing the Go button. Write down the Serial Number, IP Address, Subnet Mask and Gateway.

Pressing the Go and Pointer button on the control panel at the same time. Pressing the Go button on the control panel.

Next, press the Configuration button on the display panel and cycle through the menu by pressing the right arrow. Write down the X-Home, Y-Home, Laser Match, Stamp Match and System Unit.

Pressing the Config button on the control panel. Pressing the right arrow button on the control panel.

Remove Right Side Panel

Shut off the laser and remove the power cord from the machine.

Flipping the power switch on the machine.

Remove the right side panel by removing the 6 screws, 4 located on the side of the machine, two located on the back of the machine.

Removing the screws on the right panel's main face.

Pulling the right panel off of the chassis.

Equip Static Strap

Put on the anti-static strap. Always wear the anti-static strap when handling the control board to avoid damaging the unit through static discharge. Clip the strap on to any metal part of the machine.

Putting the anti-static strap onto your wrist. Clipping a wrist-mounted static strap to the machine.

Remove Old Controller Board

Depending on the type of connection you are using to print to the laser, you will need to either disconnect the Ethernet cable or USB cable from the back of the engraver where it plugs into the controller board.

Close up of the USB and Ethernet ports on the back of the machine.

Locate the Controller Board on the right side of the machine towards the rear. Unplug the 4 connectors on the controller board mainly located along the left side if you are looking directly at it.

The controller board inside the machine, with the four connectors highlighted.

On newer machines, one of those 4 connectors will have a bracket with 2 Phillips head screws holding the connector in place to secure it to the board. If you have the newer machine, use a Phillips head screw driver to remove the 2 Philips head screws from the bracket so you can unplug the connector.

Removing the screws holding the top connector mounting bracket.

The older machine does not have that bracket, and only requires removing the light grey connector located on upper left side of the board.

Removing the controller board's top connector.

Removing the controller board's bottom ribbon connector.

To remove the Controller Board, use the Phillips head screw driver to remove the 4 Philips head screws located on each corner of the board.

Unscrewing one of the four controller board mounting screws. Pulling the old controller board out of the machine.

Install New Controller Board

Install the new Controller Board, replacing all 4 Philips head screws to each corner of the board.

Putting the new controller board into position within the machine. Inserting the controller board mounting screws.

Reconnect all 4 connectors to the controller board. If you have a newer machine, tighten the 2 Philips head screws on the bracket of the last connector.

Plugging the four connectors back into the controller board. Screwing in the top connector mounting bracket.