Machine noise

How well is the ballscrew lubricated on the Z axis? What about the washers and couplers - any slack in them? Can you move the ballscrew up and down with it powered off?

David

2muchsanding said:

Hello all,
Question for anyone but mostly for Pro4824 and HJ. I've had this clicking sound in the Z axis from day one. Is it normal? I get good clean cuts so never worried about it. I also hear what sounds like R2D2 from Star Wars.
Strange, let me know what you think.
Thanks
https://youtu.be/PVy1NaWYl6Y

Click to expand...

The clicking sound is not normal. The R2D2 sound you describe is normal; it's the stepper motors working.
If all your hardware is tight on the Z axis, I would call CNCRP about the clicking.

I would also post this on https://www.cnczone.com/forums/cnc-router-parts/
Someone from CNCRP is likely to see the post and give an answer.

MoHawk said:

The clicking sound is not normal. The R2D2 sound you describe is normal; it's the stepper motors working.
If all your hardware is tight on the Z axis, I would call CNCRP about the clicking.

I would also post this on https://www.cnczone.com/forums/cnc-router-parts/
Someone from CNCRP is likely to see the post and give an answer.

Click to expand...

Thanks Bob, I will post there and tear into the z housing to check out the ball screw. Just o over everything again. Like I said, it's been that way from day one. Oct. I think is when I got it.
It runs great...

2muchsanding said:

Hello all,
Question for anyone but mostly for Pro4824 and HJ. I've had this clicking sound in the Z axis from day one. Is it normal? I get good clean cuts so never worried about it. I also hear what sounds like R2D2 from Star Wars.
Strange, let me know what you think.

Click to expand...

Wow! Something is definitely wrong. Sounds like missing bearing in the linear rail blocks and the bearings are clacking because of open space. Did you grease them?

I recall someone posting about losing bearings from the CNCRP Z axis. Sorry, but I can't recall the forum and I can't find the thread. Anyway, he did grease the bearing blocks and the bearings pushed past the end seals and dropped out of the block. When he started having problems, he opened up the axis to see what was going on, and bearings dropped out. He also had a picture of the end seal warped out of shape. I don't recall what his symptoms were along the way. Highlights the importance of proper lubrication.

I suggest you call CNCRP, get an email address, and send your video to them. They can probably help you with the diagnosis.

As the click happens whenever the Z axis changes direction, a missing ball in the linear bearing block or in the ball screw seems most likely.

You can email CNCRP direct or talk to your salesperson and they'll send you new bearing blocks under warranty. The first ones I tried putting on lost a few ball bearings. They said not to run it and sent me 4 new ones, which I was very careful with.

The other sound is normal.

honesttjohn said:

You can email CNCRP direct or talk to your salesperson and they'll send you new bearing blocks under warranty. The first ones I tried putting on lost a few ball bearings. They said not to run it and sent me 4 new ones, which I was very careful with.

The other sound is normal.

Click to expand...

As probably with your machine the whole Z housing (ball screw, rails, and bearings) were per assembled, I just mounted it. Now that you have said that about the bearings, it sounds like maybe...
Thanks everyone!

I opened up the front, everything looks very clean and tight, but notice the gap between the couplers.

2muchsanding said:

I opened up the front, everything looks very clean and tight, but notice the gap between the couplers.

Click to expand...

Motor mounting bolts a little loose?
If you can't find the issue, your best bet is... [email protected] that guy is amazing. My X was clicking and he instantly diagnosed a R&P belt that was a little too tight.

Are the set screws tight in the couplers? That almost sounds like one of the coupler bodies isn't tight on the shaft. You can probably loosen the top one and lower it until the gap is gone.

David

Think I found the noise. I'll call CNCRP's today on it. It doesn't effect to performance, as of now anyway. Who knows down the road, I am 100% sure it won't get better though.

That will keep you from even being close to zero backlash, Cary. I would push them to fix that. Glad you found it, though!

David

Might be a flat on that shaft the set screw should be tightened on. Since your depth of cut appears okay up until now the play must just be a backlash problem at this point that doesn't affect the toolpaths you are running. 3D projects would probably show variances in the tool depth.

It is good you caught it now before it became a major problem. Let us know what CNCRP does to fix the problem.

MEBCWD said:

Might be a flat on that shaft the set screw should be tightened on. Since your depth of cut appears okay up until now the play must just be a backlash problem at this point that doesn't affect the toolpaths you are running. 3D projects would probably show variances in the tool depth.

It is good you caught it now before it became a major problem. Let us know what CNCRP does to fix the problem.

Click to expand...

I spoke with Dan from CNCRP. He says the clicking is normal. he went to 7 different builds and held the phone up to them, they all made to same sound. He said there is only a roll pin that hold the bottom of the ball screw. It does not effect the performance in any way. He did say he would send out a new bottom plate if I wanted him to.
I told him if it's normal, I'm good with it. The machine runs very good, 3D and photo carving as well as the signs and trinkets I make. I see no problems, just the noise.
Time will tell I guess.

With a Z axis, and gravity to help that little play shouldn't matter for most things. The clicking would bother me until it was figured out and stopped though.

4D

4DThinker said:

With a Z axis, and gravity to help that little play shouldn't matter for most things. The clicking would bother me until it was figured out and stopped though.

4D

Click to expand...

I agree. However you don't hear it when the router is running and cutting, and under power I can't move the ball screw at all by hand. It would be nice to hear someone else's dry run (steppers only) on a project.
I sent both videos I posted in here to CNCRP. They will replace anything I want, but says it is normal.
They are sending 4 new bearing blocks, I told them I did have four with questionable grease jerks. Scared to put a gun back on them, knowing that will be it.

2muchsanding said:

I agree. However you don't hear it when the router is running and cutting, and under power I can't move the ball screw at all by hand. It would be nice to hear someone else's dry run (steppers only) on a project.
I sent both videos I posted in here to CNCRP. They will replace anything I want, but says it is normal.
They are sending 4 new bearing blocks, I told them I did have four with questionable grease jerks. Scared to put a gun back on them, knowing that will be it.

Click to expand...

When you get the new bearing blocks, which have metric grease zerk threads ----- tap them to take an imperial zerk, which I think is 1/4". Then put those size grease fittings in before installing. Whole lot stronger and tighter. That was probably one of my biggest complaints on this machine.