I was going to tram my HDM and though about taking out the screws and putting some kind of thread locker on most of the screws. Is there a specific reason other than time that machines don’t come assembled with loctite/ the maual dosen’t say to use loctite? I figured especially on a machine like a CNC that is constantly exposed to vibrations would need some type of threadlocker to stop all the screws from shaking loose. I’m the type of person to get paranoid over screws loosening and with my enclosure only being a smidge larger than the machine itself, checking all the screws regularly would be quite the pain.
If I take off the screws, apply threadlocker, and tighten them back up one by one, it shouldn’t affect the tram/squareness of the components right? I’m planning on using Vibra-tite VC3 which needs some time to dry on the screw before installation, but I thought that the reusability of it would be nice especially on parts like the spindle mount that needs occasional loosening for tramming.
I found that the grub screw on one of the Y axis motors was loose, I don’t know if it was because it wasn’t tightened before shipping, or that it loosened itself, but it did cause a lot of problems when it went unnoticed. I’m not so much worried about the thread locker breaking screws, VC-3 is a little different from normal loctite in that it forms a thin layer of rubber-like material on the screw after curing, like a nylock nut. I’ve heard various things about screws backing themselves out on cnc router, for some people nothing ever loosens and for others they come off. I think I’ll run my machine as is and apply threadlock as needed to screws that loosen
I use loctite on the stepper pulley screws, some people replace the grub with a cap head too. I wouldn’t do that to apply more tightening torque to the set-screw but it seems a good idea for releasing it after loctite.
I also use loctite on the remaining V-Wheels on my SO3, but that’s not a problem you have on an HDM.
As an aside, for those that do not know threadlockers are actually an anti-seize in addition to it being a threadlocker. I know I know seems a little contradictory but it’s true. In addition to it’s threadlocking properties it is also a sealant and corrosion/galling preventer. Kinda a 3 in 1.
With that said, anti-seize is purpose made and obviously useable. I’m only mentioning the loctite thing because in alot of instances it’s the best choice. Anti-seize as you install, sets up and locks threads from disengagement due to movement,etc…, and then back to an anti-seize upon removal.
