Exposure Unit shutter not always working

[TCT]

Hey guys,

I have been meaning on asking if anyone has had a similar problem to what we have been dealing with with our exposure unit.
We have a 7-8yr old Workhorse Photosharp, the light source has a box with a shutter that opens and closes for exposing. For the last year it has been "iffy". Sometimes it will open and shut just fine. Other times it will open fine, and shut 1/2 way. Others it opens fine and doesn't close one bit. Ect.  Note: it ALWAYS opens without a issue, it is just closing that it struggles with.
What have we done to try to fix it? Here is a list:
-Open the whole unit, vacuum out ALL dust
-Replace ALL the little plastic feet/spacers it slides on
-lubricate the pivoting and moving parts
-Wish it worked with out issue

I was going to contact Workhorse to see if this is something that maybe happens after years, but thought  would hit you guys up first.
I kinda think the motor that actuates the opening and closing of the shutter may need to be replaced. But it works sometimes, my experience(limited) with motors is usually the will work or not. Not this intermittent crap. We can still expose our screens just fine, we just need to manually close the shutter.

Anyone ever had a similar issue? Anyone with advice or ideas?

[Screened Gear]

I have the same unit. I had similar problems. I did grease the track and it did help. I also adjusted everything and made sure everything was perfect. it still messed up some times. I got mine used and it always had issues with the timer and shutter doing strange things about 5 percent of the time. I had the old styled controller. it had a box with red numbers and you used the same button to reset the time and start the time. I upgraded the controller to the new style. it was $275. I have not had a single issue since. Call workhorse the  can help you with the part.

[TCT]

I am guessing I have the old one then. Sounds like it.  A long rectangle button under the digital read out for the timer,  a knob you roll to set the exposure time.  Same button to start and stop it.  Does that sound like the old one?

[screenprintguy]

we have one of these that has had the same issue. You are on the right track with the grease and making sure the screwed on cover isn't binding, but as goofy as it sounds one major thing we learned is when depressing the start button for the timer, DO IT SLOW. If you push the button fast, for some reason the hokey way they made these things, the shutter won't always open all the way. Slow allows the signal to continue long enough for the mechanism to fully turn and pull it open. This trick came from Steve Koontz their engineering tech at WH. Give that a try as well.

[TCT]

It opens 100% of the time without incident, it is closing that it has the issues with.

[Screened Gear]

CTC you have the older version of the controller. Screenprintguy is right that how you push the button can effect the way it works. Its a multipurpose button and I think with time it gets sloppy. The new controller has a button just to start the time and then the Digital display to adjust the time. I have not had a single issue with the new controller. The old one was very sensitive. I honestly just got tired of it not working right. I was getting worse and worse. My main issues was it turning on then off right away. I would have to push the start Button a few times to get it to go. Just frustrating when your trying to get screens done asap. I did have times that the shutter would stay open and a few times the shutter would just not open or open half way. I think it is all caused by the controller getting old and warn out (sloppy). The new one is great. The only thing I don't like about it is it resets the time when your exposure is over. The old one would count down then stay on zero. The only reason I don't like this is because some times I get side tracked and don't remember if I exposed that screen or not. Other wise the new controller made my old photosharp run like a new one. It comes as one part. You just remover the metal part part that the controller attaches to and put the new one in. Its 4 screws then attaching a few wires. It took me 5 mins. Its a great upgrade.

[ebscreen]

My old Olec AL-53 had the same issue with the integrator. The start button would "stick" and make the shutter
open and close real quick. Required a sensitive touch. I ended up opening the integrator and re-wiring a new
push button momentary contact switch.

I really honestly do not like Olec as a company. I'm not even sure if they exist much anymore. An example of
sloppily made American manufacturing. Ugh.

[Screened Gear]

This is the new controller I got from Workhorse.