Operating Instructions

Commissioning

Before first use

Confirm the controller and all wiring are securely mounted, protected from moving parts, heat, moisture, sharp edges, sawdust buildup, and vibration.
Confirm the 30A On/Off power switch, fuse or circuit protection, hardwired emergency stop, physical Stop control, front and rear travel limits, and a separate means of battery isolation for service are installed and working.
Verify motor direction at low speed. Jog Up must raise the sawhead; Jog Down must lower it. Feed Forward and Feed Reverse must travel in the expected directions.
Test both travel-limit switches before allowing powered travel near either end of the track.
Verify the digital position reading against an independent tape, rule, or known reference over several inches of travel.
Set maximum depth, feed speed, return speed, blade kerf, and Head Coast for the specific mill.
Run several complete cycles without a log or blade engaged. Remain ready to press Stop or E‑Stop.

Do not cut lumber until commissioning is complete. Any unexpected direction, measurement, limit response, or movement must be corrected before operation.

Know the system

Primary controls

30A On/Off power switch

Turns normal controller and motor power on or off. It is an operating control, not a lockable battery disconnect or a substitute for isolating battery power before service.

Emergency stop

Hardwired control intended to remove motion power independently of touchscreen software. Test it at the beginning of each operating session.

Physical Start

Begins or continues the selected cycle only after all required setup and prompts are satisfied.

Physical Stop

Stops commanded head and feed movement and returns the engine throttle control to idle.

Touchscreen

Selects Manual or Auto operation, board size, cut count, kerf, units, parameters, and on-screen motion commands.

Travel limits

Front and rear limit inputs stop feed travel at the configured endpoints. They are not substitutes for mechanical stops or guarding.

Normal startup

Quick-start checklist

Inspect the mill, blade, track, wiring, connectors, scale, guards, and work area.
Clear all people, tools, loose boards, and obstructions from the machine’s travel path.
Release the emergency stop and turn on the 30A On/Off power switch.
Confirm the display starts normally and shows a stable position.
Use Manual controls to position the blade at the chosen reference point.
Select ZERO, then choose the appropriate zero option. Verify the display reads 0.000 in or 0.0 mm.
Select the required board size and verify the kerf value.
Select Manual, Single, or Multi operation and confirm the displayed next position before pressing Start.

Operating modes

Manual Mode

Use JOG UP or JOG DN to position the sawhead. Release the control to stop movement.
Use FEED FWD or FEED REV only while the travel path is clear.
Set zero at the desired reference position.
Press Start to cut from the current position. Manual Start does not automatically lower to a calculated next cut before feeding.
At the front limit, the controller stops feed, idles the throttle, and raises for clearance according to the configured cycle.
When prompted, remove the board only after all movement has stopped. Press Start to return when the path is clear.

Automatic Mode

Single

Select AUTO, then SINGLE.
Set zero and select the required size and kerf.
Confirm the displayed next position and cutting depth.
Press Start. The sawhead lowers to the calculated position, allows for normal stopping coast, raises engine throttle, and begins feed.
At the front limit, feed stops, the sawhead raises for clearance, and the controller follows the displayed remove-board/return prompt.

Multi

Select AUTO, then MULTI.
Use the minus and plus controls to select the number of cuts.
Set zero, board size, and kerf. Check the next position and maximum-depth setting.
Press Start and continuously observe every lowering, feed, raise, and return movement.
The controller repeats the programmed sequence until the selected cut count is complete, the maximum depth is reached, or Stop/E‑Stop is used.

Never assume the displayed target is correct. Verify the first board and periodically recheck actual lumber thickness with an independent measuring tool.

Mill-specific setup

Menu and Parameter Settings

Presets and Custom: Select a common lumber size or enter a custom thickness. Confirm the chosen value before starting.
Kerf: Set the material removed by the installed blade. Recheck after changing blade type or measured kerf.
IN / MM: Changes the displayed unit system. Confirm units before entering or verifying dimensions.
Maximum Depth: Limits automatic cutting depth from the established zero. Set it within the mill’s actual safe mechanical travel.
Maximum Forward: Sets the maximum feed-forward percentage. Begin conservatively and adjust for blade, species, cut width, and mill condition.
Maximum Return: Sets return speed. Use a speed that allows safe observation and reliable limit operation.
Head Coast: Compensates for predictable sawhead movement after motor power is removed. Increase or decrease in 0.001 in steps only after repeated unloaded tests. Default is 0.022 in; suitable values vary by mill.
Throttle Test: Used only for setup or service checks. Keep the blade and work area clear while testing.
Diagnostics: Hold Reset for approximately three seconds to review scale, travel-limit, and operating inputs. Use Diagnostics during commissioning or troubleshooting—not as a substitute for physical inspection.

Stopping safely

Stop, Reset, and emergency stop

Stop: Use for a normal immediate stop of commanded head/feed motion. Correct the cause before restarting.
Reset: A short press resets the current control state. It does not remove electrical power or make the machine safe for service.
Emergency stop: Use whenever continued movement presents danger or the controller does not respond as expected. Do not release it until the hazard has been identified and corrected.
30A On/Off power switch: Use it for normal power on and off. It is not a lockout device.
Battery isolation: Before entering a hazard area, clearing a jam, touching the blade or drive, changing wiring, or servicing the machine, disconnect and secure battery power using a separate properly rated means.

An emergency stop is not a lockout device. For service, isolate all energy sources, account for stored energy and gravity, and follow the mill owner’s required lockout procedure.

End of operation

Normal shutdown

Finish or stop the active cycle and confirm all motion has stopped.
Return the engine to idle and shut it down according to the engine manufacturer’s instructions.
Turn off the Saw‑Rite 30A On/Off power switch.
Remove the key or apply required lockout controls if the machine will be cleaned, adjusted, or serviced.
Clean accumulated sawdust without directing high-pressure air, water, or debris into the controller or connectors.

If something is wrong

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Action
Screen blank, flickering, or restarting	Stop operation. Check regulated 5V power at DC1, connectors, polarity, grounding, and supply capacity. Never apply 12V or 9V to the 5V screen rail.
Position reading is unstable or incorrect	Stop. Inspect the scale, cable routing, grounds, connectors, mechanical mounting, and calibration. Verify against an independent measurement.
Sawhead stops above or below target	Run unloaded repeatability tests and adjust Head Coast in 0.001 in steps. Do not compensate for loose chains, slipping couplings, binding, or other mechanical faults with software.
Motor moves in the wrong direction	Press E‑Stop, isolate power, and correct motor/driver configuration before further testing.
Travel limit does not stop movement	Press E‑Stop immediately. Do not operate until the limit circuit and mechanical stop are repaired and tested.
Controller becomes hot, smells abnormal, or shows incorrect supply voltage	Disconnect power immediately. Do not reconnect the screen or controller until the fault is identified and damaged components are replaced.
Unexpected movement or repeated fault	Use E‑Stop, turn off the 30A On/Off power switch, and isolate battery power. Document the displayed status and contact Saw‑Rite before resuming operation.

Keep it reliable

Inspection and maintenance

Before each use, test Stop, E‑Stop, the 30A On/Off power switch, and both travel limits.
Inspect wiring, strain relief, connectors, fuses, motor mounts, drive components, scale mounting, and enclosure seals regularly.
Keep the touchscreen and enclosure clean and dry. Use a soft, lightly dampened cloth only after power is isolated.
Recheck calibration, kerf, maximum depth, speed settings, and Head Coast after mechanical adjustment, motor replacement, scale service, or control-system repair.
Do not modify wiring, firmware, safety circuits, or parameter limits without qualified review and complete recommissioning.

Also read: Safety, Installation Responsibility & Disclaimer.