X axis blocked motor.....randomly.... XXL

CNC Machines Shapeoko
1

Hi there

Yesterday while working i heard a “bad noise” and looking to the machine i noticed that it was slippered on left on the x axis…and it was keep working as normal…so the 3d carving was for the trash.

I checked everything…belts,nuts wheels…3 times…and every time i check movement with rapid position i have what you see in the video… it happens just on the left part of the machine… ??? moving it manually everything seems ok…nothing loose…

i even turned the x belt (left with right) just to be sure that was belt fault…and it happens the same

I reached the actual situation when i have this “motor blocking” 1 on 3 times i move the X axis from Center to left…the motor seems stuck and it is impossible “help” him moving with hand because it is very hard… the machine is working since 2018 with medium/small amount of works per months

the problem is ONLY and ALWAYS on the left part of the machine

Any suggestions to fix this? i’m getting mad… -_-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11V18Qlhk--MmTiti5l8KfNrAAeAcCQKd/view?usp=sharing

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Hi Dario,

This sounds like something is getting stuck at that position, do you feel a resistance at that location if you turn off the machine, and move the Z/X carriage to the left manually (slowly) ?

Even if you don’t feel it manually, take a close look at how things move when the X axis is moving to the left, your drag chain may be close to getting caught/stuck?

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Hi Julien, thanks for answer.

I have already did what you suggest…it was the first thing came in my mind… manually it seems everything ok…moving the x slow i don’t feel any resistance.

i watch very close every part while doing this and i can’t recognize anything strange…even with machine turned on

the strange thing is that this happens random…sometimes works fine sometimes it make this problem

I have also removed the X motor and check its job without load with machine On, and it has no problem…it runs smoothly

4

Just to be sure, did you check the two setscrews on the X axis pulley ? (i.e. that both were present, one of them aligned with the flat on the motor shaft, and both tight)

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Yes, the pulley is ok, it is firmly fixed

6

On the right side where everything works normally, what happens if you jog to the left (as you did in the beginning of your video) and apply a slight pressure with your hand on the left of the router mount, against the movement ? Are you able to make the movement stop/stutter with very little pressure ?

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No, i’m not able with hand to slower/stop the movement from SE to S

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Sorry for throwing questions at you, I’m running out of ideas.
Does the same problem happen regardless of where you are along Y axis ? (i.e. does it happen when moving from N to NW ?). The only remaining idea I have to that this specific location of the machine may pull on the wiring a certain way, and stress a loose connection somewhere. I would suggest to inspect the motor wiring along their whole length, down to the controller board (is the X axis connector still seated properly there ?). Does it look pinched anywhere ?
At this point, contact support@carbide3d.com for further help, too

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No problem, throw throw…i’m here for this :slight_smile:
This issue happens always in the same part of the X rail…but i can’t understand what is wrong in this place!

It happens always from C to Left,any part of Y i am

I’ll check the wiring in the meanwhile

Tanks Julien

I’ve already wrote to support but they just send me links of tutorials… -_- i’ll try again

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Troubleshooting involves determining:

  • whether or no the initial machine setup matches the instructions
  • whether or no anything in the immediate environment interacts in an unforeseen way
  • whether the command given to the machine matches what it is expected the machine should do

To eliminate the software, please check it in a 3rd party previewer such as CAMotics: https://camotics.org/

The software works by:

  • Carbide Create creating geometry
  • assigning toolpaths
  • exporting toolpaths to .nc (G-Code) files
  • Carbide Motion connecting to the machine (and if need be sending the correct settings)
  • initializing (homing) it
  • moving the machine to the correct origin relative to the stock and setting zero there
  • sending the G-Code file
    ​
    ​The machine is able to move based on:
    ​
  • impulses from the stepper driver — usually if they don’t work right there are horrible noises
  • sent through the wiring — check the connections and wiring — if you or a friend have a multimeter use it to check for continuity
  • received by the stepper motor — these almost never go bad
  • which rotates the motor shaft — check that this is true and not bent
  • which rotates the pulley — check that it has two set screws at least one of which is on flats and that they are secure: https://docs.carbide3d.com/shapeoko-faq/shapeoko-3-how-to-check-the-pulley-set-screws/
  • which pushes/pulls on the belt — make sure that the belt tracks true through both the pulley and the idlers and is in good condition, secure at appropriate points and well tensioned (see the assembly instructions)
  • which moves the machine along the V rails guided by V wheels — make sure that the latter are properly adjusted https://docs.carbide3d.com/support/tensioning-eccentrics/ and the former clean and in good shape

For electronic accessories, check the connectors and the length of the wiring.

11

Why are there wires sticking up out of the drag chain? Are they catching something?
Or a bare spot in that section of wiring? Sounds more like a shorted circuit instead of a stepper not stepping…?

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