Note: I have emailed support, but I’m chomping at the carbide bit to get my machine back running.
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My machine (Shapeoko 3 XXL) started acting up. It was working fine up until this problem cropped up. It disconnected from carbide motion while trying to home. The right Y stepper motor was making funny noises. I ordered a new stepper motor and installed but it was still disconnecting. It’s also still making funny noises.
Figuring it was either the controller or the motor I next ordered a new controller board. The only controller board available was the for the shapeoko 4 (without enclosure). The web page said the PCB’s were identical??? After getting it I realized that the enclosure for the shapoko 3 did not fit the shapeoko 4 controller board.
So.
Does anyone have the hole mounting locations / electronics board size for that PCB so I can 3D print my own?
Most disconnects are caused by static and/or router brushes. So you might have two problems. The stepper motor and/or the brushes on a Makita/C3D router. Depending on the age of the Shapeoko 3 you might have a Dewalt router and they are almost bullet proof. I have changed my Dewalt brushes once in 6 years of moderate to heavy use.
The pulley on the stepper motors often get loose. There are two set screws on the pulley and one should be on a flat on the stepper motor.
Very slowly push your machine gantry front to back a few times and then left to right. It should be smooth and no hang ups. If you find a tight spot figure out what is causing it.
Most SO3 have fiberglass belts. However for a while they had steel core belts that do not last and they went back to fiberglass belts. So check the condition of your belts with a visual inspection.
If during pushing your gantry around you can also go to each end of the gantry and pull up and see if there is any slack. If it moves you likely need to adjust your eccentric v-wheels at the bottom on both sides. Also do the same pull up on the Z and there are eccentric v-wheels on the bottom of the Z.
While pushing your gantry around move slowly. If you move too fast it sounds like a belt is slipping. That is caused by EMF generated by the stepper motor. It is not hurting anything but gives resistance and sounds awful. Move slowly.