total noob with an RV1s

[StevePCB]

Hi, new member here who bought an RV1s about 5 years ago (seller said it was still in use up to the sale) which due to other commitments has sat in the corner ever since. I also have an SMTech reflow oven and a Dima Dotmaster dispenser. I've never used any p+p machine before so I've got a bit of a learning curve ahead with not only the machines and software but also the general process and workflow. Reading through this forum makes me realise just how much I don't know, so the curve now seems even steeper!

My RV came with a Win98 PC with all the software loaded, so at least that's a start. After cleaning the cpu heatsink and treating it to a new blob of thermal compound I've turned the PC on, it seems ok (after removing the Soundblaster card to cure an address conflict... that brought back memories!) and after a bit of random fiddling with feeder settings the machine seemed to home, pick up nozzles and run an existing program, at least until it seemed to notice there were no parts being picked.

I'll go through the steps in Mike's pinned post on what to do as a new owner of an old machine, but beyond that what would people advise as to the best way to gradually test the machine out and ease myself into familiarity with all the steps involved, from a starting point of total ignorance?

Is there a user manual for the RV1s anywhere here?.. I couldn't see one. Is the RV4s much different in terms of operation?

[Mike]

The only difference between the RV1s and the RV4s is that the RV4s has the flying camera for faster vision of smaller parts, otherwise everything is the same.

On an old machine you will probably need to replace all the feeder belts, while you're at it get new O-rings for the nozzle and tools.
Give the feeders a good clean (but do NOT use oil on the pins as paper dust will turn to sludge).

Put some grease on the Z rack & pinion - everything else should be fine as there are so few moving parts
 
The only documentation is the stuff in the documentation post pinned in the software section. Basic operation isn't that hard - shouldn't take more than a day or two to get it doing something useful.