Dental X-ray Scanner thingy (DIGORA Optime)

[Moltuae]

Bit of a long shot I know ... just wondering if anyone here has any experience with these things:
http://www.in.acteongroup.com/PDF_Files/Digora_Optime Classic.pdf

It belongs to a dental practice customer of mine. I maintain their computers and network but, other than connecting this scanner to the network, I usually have very little to do with it. It connects to the network and they operate it via software called 'Digora for Windows'.

A week or so ago they phoned me because they had a problem loading the x-ray images into it. I'm yet to see the problem myself, but from their description, it sounded to me like there may be a mechanical fault with the device. They told me that the loading mechanism moves in and out repeatedly but won't accept/recognise the x-ray slides. I suggested that they contact their supplier and ask them to take a look at it.

Today they phoned me again: Apparently, the supplier sent out a tech, who moved it around, wiggled a few wires and declared it 'fixed'. They tell me it worked once after that but now it's back to the same fault. They spoke to the supplier who are now saying the fault is with the connection to the computer. My customer feels they're being "fobbed off" by the supplier and have asked me to take a look at it.

While my feeling is that its a mechanical fault, they tell me that the software has to be open in order to load a slide, which makes the supplier's reasoning plausible I guess. Has anyone got any experience of these things? ... Is this perhaps a common mechanical fault?

I did find a few service manuals, etc for it online (below) and I notice it has a drive belt of sorts .... which I'm thinking has got to be a prime suspect.

http://www.dentalconcepts.com.au/brochures/Digora Optime Classic User Guide.pdf

http://edmoi.dyndns.org/SOREDEX/Optime_Field_Service_Manual_v0503.pdf

ftp://ftp.eaglesoft.net/Support/Oth...ime/8201053_Optime_Service_Manual_Ver0406.pdf

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Not that model. How does she connect to the PC?

 

[Moltuae]

It's simply connected to the network. There's a 'master' PC that connects to it over the network and acts as a 'Digora server' for the rest of the PCs on the network. That's about the limit of my knowledge of it so far. I'm not sure how Digora for Windows on the 'master' is configured to connects to it ... yet.

It's a simple network: The X-ray scanner and about 8 or 9 computers connect back to a single network switch. The entire thing was re-cabled several months ago. The scanner was working fine until very recently.

 

[Markverhyden]

You need to actually look it over. Given that device mechanically loads and unloads film it could be some type of limit switch, timing setting, who knows. All the X-Ray stuff I've worked with in the last few years have been digital.

 

[mr m]

What do the LED's on the Digora op panel say?

Looking at the service manual a solid green LED shows a connection to the PC. A solid Yellow says you have a link to the PC but the Digora is configured incorrectly. Flashing yellow means incorrect cabling or perhaps a bad cable.

The manual mentions a driver on the workstation is required so they weren't lying about that.

The manual also states that there is no routine preventive maintenance required. The unit could be getting long in the tooth. I saw Win 2000 mentioned.

 

[Moltuae]

Thanks Mark.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Just wondered if there were any common faults, though since these things aren't all that common, I figured it would probably be a long shot, but worth asking, just in case.

I need to get my hands on it and see the fault for myself first. I've only had the fault described by (very) non-technical members of staff so far.


Amusingly, I actually had a call from the practice mid-afternoon today to say that another tech from the supplier had turned up, out of the blue, and that it was now fixed (again!). Apparently he disconnected a second network cable (that his colleague had connected), claiming that to be the problem. Clearly the extra network cable couldn't have been the cause, since it was now configured no different to how it was when the fault first occurred ... I said call me when it breaks again. Sure enough, two hours later the phone rang ...

 

[Moltuae]

What do the LED's on the Digora op panel say?

Looking at the service manual a solid green LED shows a connection to the PC. A solid Yellow says you have a link to the PC but the Digora is configured incorrectly. Flashing yellow means incorrect cabling or perhaps a bad cable.

The manual mentions a driver on the workstation is required so they weren't lying about that.

The manual also states that there is no routine preventive maintenance required. The unit could be getting long in the tooth. I saw Win 2000 mentioned.

Yeah, it is rather an old thing. They're pretty expensive to replace though it seems, so I think they're pretty attached to it.

I'll check those LEDs tomorrow. Thanks muchly


EDIT:

The unit could be getting long in the tooth.

Long in the tooth! Good one!

I totally missed that pun at first.

 

[Moltuae]

Well, after all my research and testing, it looks like it was simply a bad network connection. Turns out the scanner behaves like there's a mechanical fault (failing to load the slide, repeatedly spitting it back out) when it can't see the 'server' PC. The clue is in the LEDs; should always be a single green LED when all's well, and before any attempt is made to scan.

The cause was a badly located network socket and somebody's big feet. The CAT 5 cable had suffered an internal breakage after being kicked to death. Replaced the cable and so far so good.

Now I'm looking for some sort of cover to protect the connections. There are two twin sockets, fitted to two standard surface mount (about 45mm deep) single back boxes, mounted side by side, like this. Anyone got any suggestions? I guess I could fabricate something ...

Failing that, I may have to consider replacing the sockets with something recessed or right-angled.

 

[mr m]

Long in the tooth! Good one!

I totally missed that pun at first.

Most of my dry humor and jokes go unnoticed!

Nice fix, man. Sometimes you have to see first hand what's up.

They make covers for outside/inside boxes. This below link won't work as designed but maybe you can figure out a way to mount it or replace the surface mount boxes for an in-wall solution.

They make retrofit boxes for existing walls so they're easy to mount from the front.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LectraLo...-Outlet-Cover-LDM1-3WH/203507668?N=5yc1vZc22z

 

[Moltuae]

Thanks Monsieur M

I've been looking at something similar. Those would be perfect if only the the sockets were fitted to a double back box. Unfortunately, being 2 single back boxes, side by side, they're wider than a double overall. And since they're butt up against one another, any similar single covers (that I can find) won't friggin' fit either.

I think I may just have to chop the sockets off and replace the lot with a double back box.

 

[Markverhyden]

What you are looking for is a strain relief mechanism. Securing the cable a few inches from the keystone. The below will work fine with a tie wrap. You can even use a self tapping screw to make sure it stays secured to the cover.

http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/0-002-51-pack-of-25-adhesive-backed-cable-tie-wrap-bases-2725.html

 

[Moltuae]

What you are looking for is a strain relief mechanism. Securing the cable a few inches from the keystone. The below will work fine with a tie wrap. You can even use a self tapping screw to make sure it stays secured to the cover.

http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/0-002-51-pack-of-25-adhesive-backed-cable-tie-wrap-bases-2725.html

Sorry, only just noticed your reply Mark. Thanks for the suggestion


I went for a low-tech solution in the end. Couple of brackets, bolted together with a couple of extra bends and a smidgen of black paint to finish it off.

Took a few pictures of my bodge-job:

Before: http://i.imgur.com/oXtAkgw.jpg

After: http://i.imgur.com/MMAp4Gi.jpg​

Not perfect, but it should keep the feet from damaging the connections.

I planned to put it over the cables, but it didn't quite protrude far enough; the radius would've been too tight.

 

[Markverhyden]

Sorry, only just noticed your reply Mark. Thanks for the suggestion


I went for a low-tech solution in the end. Couple of brackets, bolted together with a couple of extra bends and a smidgen of black paint to finish it off.

Took a few pictures of my bodge-job:

Before: http://i.imgur.com/oXtAkgw.jpg

After: http://i.imgur.com/MMAp4Gi.jpg​

Not perfect, but it should keep the feet from damaging the connections.

I planned to put it over the cables, but it didn't quite protrude far enough; the radius would've been too tight.

Nickle solution to the dime problem as we say on this side of the pond. Looks quite professional in my opinion.

 

[PcTek9]

You are without a doubt, a very intelligent tech. You did a great job in the diagnosis of this problem. Although I would have chosen boxes that have the network outlets on the bottom side? Then simply strap it to the wood with plastic cable straps (the screw in kind). In this photo I can see strain very clearly. Still though, you get 99 out of 100 stars for figuring out a solution to this issue, and it will probably last for many years - unless they decide to play cable footsy again. I do think you are right on in your initial desire to place the cables at least under the bar. I'm still stoked though, that factory techs had no clue, and you got it. I love stories like this.

 

[Moltuae]

You are without a doubt, a very intelligent tech. You did a great job in the diagnosis of this problem. Although I would have chosen boxes that have the network outlets on the bottom side? Then simply strap it to the wood with plastic cable straps (the screw in kind). In this photo I can see strain very clearly. Still though, you get 99 out of 100 stars for figuring out a solution to this issue, and it will probably last for many years - unless they decide to play cable footsy again. I do think you are right on in your initial desire to place the cables at least under the bar. I'm still stoked though, that factory techs had no clue, and you got it. I love stories like this.

Thanks.

Yeah, it's not a perfect solution. I would've preferred to have ripped out and replaced the outlets with something like you suggested, and probably even to relocate them, far away from fidgeting feet.

As you'll know though, it's not always practical to do a perfect job. I needed a quick, non-disruptive (ie during a 30 minute lunch-break) fix. I couldn't justify charging hundreds to go back out-of-hours to replace/relocate the outlets.

The cables probably look more strained than they are though; I think it's just the angle of the photograph. They're really just resting on the bar in the position they naturally fell into and the cable straps are tied fairly loosely (the loose-fitting outer insulation makes them look tighter than they are).

The reception area the connections are behind is likely to be undergoing a refurbishment within the next couple of years anyway, so as long as the fix lasts until then, I'll be happy