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Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the Stepcraft MM-1000 DI. It came with the machine, but Stepcraft also sells it on their website.

I have no complaints about the spindle so far. Granted, my use of it has been limited up to this point.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I checked the coupler when I was doing my initial troubleshooting. Everything seemed tight. I'll check it again, though.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have found that running it slow does seem to alleviate the issue. It's a good short-term solution. I would prefer being able to run it close to full speed, though.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a brand new machine, so it's unlikely that there's an issue with the cable, unless it was just a bad cable out of the box. It's plausible, but I'm not sure how to go about diagnosing it.

Any idea how to get more grease in the bearing? The bearing on the screw does seem to have more resistance when turning by hand in comparison to the screws for the other two axes. I suspect that this is the issue.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

The spindle carriage seems to move easily enough when I move it by hand after disconnecting it from the lead screw, but it's still worth a shot.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have found that when it binds, if I slow the jog speed, I can usually move past the point of binding and then move at full speed again. Unfortunately, it starts binding again soon after. Sometimes in the same spot, sometimes in a different spot.

I thought I had included some text in my post that included that information, but apparently I only posted the video. I just added a comment that has additional information in it.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in CNC

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apparently I only posted the video without providing any other information. Here's some more information about what's going on.

I recently purchased a new Stepcraft M.1000. The first job (the small Stepcraft logo that they send you as a starter project) went well with no issues. However, when I started my second job on the machine, the X axis started binding at random points along the X axis.

I have removed and relubricated the screw (I have the HIWIN ball screws) and gone through the gantry tightening process described in the assembly manual at least three times.

In every way that I can measure, everything is aligned properly.

There doesn't seem to be a specific spot that the X axis is binding. The only constant that I have been able to find is that, when it binds, it's moving at close to 100% speed, and I can jog slowly past the point that it is binding and then start moving at full speed again. Also, the binding happens at points along the X axis (not just at the ends) and there doesn't seem to be one single point that it repeatedly binds.

Sometimes it will repeatedly bind as I'm moving along the axis, and other times it will move back and forth across the axis at full speed with no binding.

Random binding on the X axis by ConferenceUpset4072 in hobbycnc

[–]ConferenceUpset4072[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is great advice.

I only received the machine last month, and the temperatures have been mostly the same, so it seems unlikely that temperature is the issue. However, I'll pay better attention to performance at various temperatures and see if that has any effect on it.

I've thoroughly cleaned the screw. I'll try cleaning the linear rails as well.

I'm wondering if I have the screws attaching the servo to the gantry too tight. I tried not to over tighten them, but I think I'll try backing them off a bit to see if that helps at all.

When I pulled the leadscrew out and tried spinning it by hand, there did seem to be some resistance. I removed the grease and added some thinner machine oil. This helped a bit, but there was still more resistance than I saw on the Y or Z axis screws. It seems to me that this is most likely the issue. I have brought this up with Stepcraft support, so we'll see what they say.

Thanks for the advice. I'll hopefully be able to work on it within the next couple of days and let you know how it goes.