I really love my machine, but about four or five times I have gotten stuck on something like a power cord or the cable assembly. I have adjusted things and think it won’t happen again, but the machine made a terrible sound.
I have this terrible feeling that I’ve damaged the belts or inner gears and now have a less accurate machine. How should I think about this? Is there anything I can do to feel better? How much damage may I have caused?
I really appreciate any general thoughts and would love some diagnostics that could help me understand that I haven’t really screwed up.
I’m sure other more seasoned Shapeokoists will chime in, but as far as general thoughts, what did you do when the machine got stuck, pull the plug?
I’ve had scenarios where the router power cable blocked the activation of a limit switch, my SuckIt Dust Boot arms got hung up on clamps or didn’t clear the height of the BitSetter, and even plunging way too fast accidentally which all contribute to loud noises and not the good kind. As far as getting stuck on cables and such, I’d take a look at potential connections that could loosen, damage to the wire/cable shielding, and just the regular mechanical checks (eccentric nuts, set screws, v-wheels, tramming, and belt stretch). Simply put, if it looks good, sounds good, and cuts good… I think you’re in the clear.
I understand loose cables moved in the way of the machine’s movement either during a cut or during homing ? If so, it is likely that you “just” ended up in a situation where the X, and/or Y, and/or Z motors continued to do whatever they were doing, encountered resistance, skipped steps, and produced the sound that, yes indeed, is not a nice one. But the Shapeoko is a tank, and hundreds or people have had crashes. Other than a quick visual inspection of all your wheels, eccentrics, pulleys, and all wire connections, I think you’re good to go, don’t sweat it!
Helpful thoughts. Two things: (1) the power cable for the router needed to be connected to the plastic cable organizer better and (2) yesterday the tab that the cable bundle rests on caught twice. I can fix the catching cables, but my question is how to feel better after getting the machine stuck. I think I’ve messed up my investment and would love some tests to know if I’ve damaged things or decrease accuracy. Btw, to stop the machine I’ve pulled the plug or used Carbide motion to pause the machine.
Something may have gotten loose, easy to check and fix. The worst case case scenario after a Shapeoko crash is to damage the V-wheels, and changing a wheel is easy too.
If you want to feel good, cut a couple of circle and square pockets of predefined dimensions, and check whether they look ok. If they do, and unless you are after extreme tolerances, you’re good to go.
It will be good practice to go over the mechanical aspects of the machine (checking V-wheels, eccentrics, pulleys, belts), that’s something you want to do now and then anyway.