So I checked the belts and tightened what I think are the pully motor screws. Some of the screws were loose but when I tightened them the y axis is now catching when I move it manually. I attached a video to see.
I don’t have any idea how to fix this thing mechanically so please dumb down any suggestions.
Thank you!
It looks like your moving that X beam pretty fast making the Y motors generate electricity, that’s normal. Is it still jumpy / rough if you were to move it slowly? My BitZero and BitSetter lights glow it I move mine to fast.
If you are moving the gantries by hand, it is always best to disconnect the motors.
The motors will act like generators as you push the gantries around, and the electronics are not really designed to handle that kind of backfeed energy.
The noise is normal when the gantry or any other stepper motor is forced to move. A better way is to use the jog feature.
I think you were on the right track by tightening the belts if you didn’t do all of them you should check and tighten all of them. I would also check every bolt, screw and fastener on the complete machine (I would bet this has not been done since you assembled the machine). I check all the fasteners about every two months or once a month if I am doing a lot of cutting.
I would also use the jog feature or a remote controller to move the machine x, y, and z axis with the router off and listen to the sound of the motors and see if you hear any change in the sound of the motors this could indicate a wiring/connector problem. One of the test in the automotive industry when checking wiring and electronic components is a wiggle test of the wiring and components. You could also do this test while moving each axis. Most problems will be with the connectors.
The motor sound when moving the axis with the computer or controller will be a smooth and steady sound. If there is a problem it will make a sound that is like someone just pressing the jog button really fast and cause the axis to jump or sound like it is being hit, it is basically being started and stopped really fast.
So now it’s doing this on the x axis. Everything appears to be running smoothly except it messes up in this spot. I’ve tightened every screw on the machine and the belts are as they should be.
Try reducing the depth of cut. What router are you using and at what speed? You could also increase your speed to decrease the cutting forces. (Assuming your feed rate is appropriate)
Cutting a slot is making a cut the same width of your endmill. So if you’re using a contour toolpath path to cut out a part with no additional offset, thats slotting. Best practice is to cut out parts using offset geometry. All that means is creating an offset around the part you’re cutting out equal to the diameter of your endmill plus 10 percent of so. Then you select the outline of the original geomtry and the offsett and cut out as a pocket which is easier on the endmill