X Axis travel skips

[julio]

I recently finished assembly of my Carve King and started testing today. I'm having an issue where the X stepper motor appears to have no "strength". While the carriage is traveling along the X axis I can stop it by hand with very little effort.



While cutting, it will skip if the bit encounters any resistance in the wood.



Any advice for what to check?



Thanks

Julio

[activereality]

Hmm. Check the connections of that axis’s drive screw. Motor to coupler, coupler to drive screw, back lash nut, then pillow block (doubt the block though).

When resistance is introduced, is the screw still spinning? If not check motor and coupler. If yes, check backlash nut.

If the motor is stalling: I wonder if there is an over current circuit for these motors?

[Bruce]

Sounds like the current limit is set too low on the stepper driver. Check the stepper driver voltage. The procedure is explained on page 29 and 30 of the Carve King Assembly Manual.
OR The coupler is loose on the X axis. Check both set screws on the motor side and the lead screw side are tight.

[activereality]

Feb 16, 2020 5:10:15 GMT Bruce said:

Sounds like the current limit is set too low on the stepper driver. Check the stepper driver voltage. The procedure is explained on page 29 and 30 of the Carve King Assembly Manual.
OR The coupler is loose on the X axis. Check both set screws on the motor side and the lead screw side are tight.

Woot! Glad I was in the ball park - and totally forgot about setting the Stepper Motor driver voltages before running anything. Thanks!

[julio]

Thanks.

I'll check the current limit. The coupler is tight and I can see the motor shaft stop spinning when load is introduced.

[julio]

Finally made it to shop and tested the current limits. All 4 stepper drivers are at .65

All connections are tight. All set screws are tight. Any other suggestions?

[Bruce]

Swap in the spare stepper driver or swap the wiring with one of the other axis and check the jog move. If it follows the stepper driver, it has an issue.

[Derek the Admin]

I'd suggest loosening out the antibacklash nut entirely along with the V wheels to see if the issue is replicated under those conditions. If it is not, then there is a good chance those being too tight played a roll.

Regards