Richauto B18E display issues

[toast]

I'm a teacher with a couple CNC classes using several Axiom machines.  Worked in CNC and CAD before switching to teaching but never used Richauto controllers before this school year.  On one of the machines the controller pooped out on us today.  I don't know what caused it - a student pointed it out to me at the start of class.  Rebooted several times and tried a different cable with no change.  Unfortunately I don't have a ton of time to dedicate to troubleshooting with grading and lesson planning until summer break.  Anyone have any ideas what's going on here?  Screen just decides what to display at random when you attempt to use any controls on the controller.

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[eagle55]

My first impression is that it may be damage to the actual co troller display. I’ll ask a few questions that may tell if it is just the display and that maybe the controller is ok and that although it is trying the display is the main issue. When you get the startup screen that is the picture at the bottom…. If you press the “home/ok” button, does it go to the home position on the lower left corner of the bed as you stand in front of the machine. And once it does, press the home button again and does it go to the origin or zero point of the last project that was done on the machine (or within reason a possible origin point)? Im guessing that if you knew what to expect the screen to say that it may say it in some partially garbled form. These things would be helpful in getting tech support when you call Axiom. My first guess would be that the controller possibly could have been dropped and taken a sharp blow to the controller or edge near the display and damaged the LCD or LCD driver circuitry. Have you tried things like pressing the “run” button? And do you get the option to select the memory stick to run a file?

[toast]

The controller seems to function. I homed it after rebooting the machine yesterday. I can drive it around with XYZ buttons and tool set appeared to work normally. I didn't try running a file. Only issue I can tell so far is that the display does not work properly. My guess is also that a student dropped it, although none of my students will admit it. I've emailed Axiom support and I'm just waiting on a response from them.

[eagle55]

From experience that I have had with LCD displays, there is usually a foam like cushion that has many conductive strips that conduct signals from the printed circuit board to the display. It is possible that the display has slid out of alignment and maybe shorting various signals together on the "matrix" of connections and producing odd results. If the unit is still under warranty OR if Axiom will help you with correcting the problem.... I wouldn't touch it except as they say to. However, if the only solution is to buy another pendant controller, you could' bet I'm opening that sucker up and looking around inside for signs of slippage and maybe away to loosen a bracket that holds the display and maybe adjust the display and see if I could get some change in the display. If you have nothing to loose, its a different ball game. But I sense that the controller is operating correctly, and it's just that they display is not displaying correctly.
Also, I would attempt to call them. I have heard various people emailed and waiting a long time for a response. Remember what they say about a squeaky wheel? The times that I have called, I get immediate help and have been very satisfied with tech support, so I would recommend calling. That being said you may have a tight schedule with classes and not be able to do that.