My machine keeps getting hung up about 1/4 way across. Sometimes during initialization and then sometimes during a run. I’ve cleaned the rails, wheels etc. anyone have any ideas? I tried to load a video and it won’t let me. I’ve also looked in the search option on here and didn’t find a solution for my issue.
Thanks.
Which machine type?
If a Pro/HDM/ 5 Pro are the rails lubricated?
It’s a pro 3. I’ve never lunricated the rails. If it’s as easy as that, that would be awesome.
For an SO3 (or 4) with alu. V-rails and Delrin V-wheels no lubrication necessary, check the belt and verify no mechanical interference.
Power off your SO3. Then move the gantry slowly front to back a few times and the router back and forth a few times. If you find any rough spots fix that. If that is all good then lift up on both ends of the gantry and it should not move up and down. If it does adjust your v-wheels. Then try that on your Z axis and adjust as necessary. Power on and connect but do not initialize. Hold a metal object in front of the proximity switches or depress the older mechanical switches. In CM Settings and Debug make sure each proximity switch triggers. You can push down on the BitSetter and see if that adtivates and deactivtes. Then touch your Bitzero with the magnet/clip to see if that activates and deactivates. Make sure the magnet/clip is not touching ground.
After everything checks out ok try to initialize. If it does not figure what is not working. Usually a mechanical issue like v-wheels or belts are the problem if the rails are clean and the v-wheels are clean and adjusted.
The initialization starts with the Z going up and activate the homing switch. If that passes then the gantry heads for the right rear corner. The X and Y will home in no particular order. If you are still having movement problems power off the Shapeoko and move the gantry and router close to t he home position and see if it will home. Go back and check for belt tension and belt conditions.
During configuration if your Z goes down you picked the wrong Z. The Belt Z and HDZ travel in the same direction but the Z-Plus moves in the opposite direction on an SO3. Also make sure no vacuum hoses are getting hung up. On some SO3 the gantry drag chain falls off the back and hangs up the X motion.
That sounds like a lot of checking but go to basics of mechanics first, electrical second. This whole check should take about 15-30 minutes. Mechanics are the achiles heel of the SO3. V-wheels and belts. One last thing to check are the set screws on your stepper motor pullies. There are 2. One should be on a flat and the other on the round part of the stepper motor shaft. If they are in position put a black mark across the pulley across the center of the stepper motor shaft. That gives you a visual cue that your pullies are tight and aligned. If in the future they are not lined up you have a loose pulley. Some people replace the tiny grub screws with cap screws about 10MM long. They are easier to tighten and less prone to stripping out.
Thanks for the help! I’ll give that all a try tomorrow.
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