Hey, recently had to replace the Z axis motor. That went well, back up and running, initialized well but now it won’t go below -95mm, roughly halfway down the ballscrew.
There’s no mechanical grinding, nothing to suggest the machine is at fault and it seems to be a software issue but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get around it without winding down the ballscrew manually to set it at the bottom then reinitializing it. I’m hoping I don’t need to so that’s why I’m here.
What type of Z do you have? The leadscrew in the Z-Plus and the ballscrew on the HDZ are driven at different rates and more/less steps per MM depending on which one you have. During configuration you have to pick the correct Z. To tell the difference at a glance the Z-Plus has a stud at the bottom of the leadscrew with a hole that does not touch the leadscrew. The HDZ has a bearing block at the bottom of the ballscrew. It is important to know which one you have and set it up correctly.
Both the Z-Plus and the HDZ have to have lubrication and the linear rails can become dried out. You use Mobil Vactra #2 oil to lubricate the bearings. That is part of the routine maintenance that should be performed periodically.
If your Z does not go down far enough jog it down as far as it will go. Then power off your SO3 and physically try to move your Z lower by turning the lead/ballscrews. If the Z goes lower you likely have a configuration problem. If it cannot go lower then you likely have a mechanical problem. Turning the lead/ballscrew is not easy but it will turn. If you cannot go lower try going up and inspect the lead/ballscrew for damage or debris.
Machine is sound. minus this Z issue its running perfect. Can move it just fine, no issues. Wound the ballscrew all the way down, that’s fine. Will work on pictures soons
Small update on the Z situation, got it to run below -95 thankfully but the motor is now grinding slightly off the bottom of the ballscrew in both directions. Machine can push past it but still concerning