Y axis Stall

[gumbo]

I just got a Y axis stall and this time I can't even move the head by hand. The head is frozen solid in place (all the way to the to the screen side). Does anyone have any suggestions?

[drwatkins]

I had this same problem today. it can be a number of things. start by checking for dust build up on the rollers of the truck....probably not the problem but good to make sure it is clean. next... try turning the machine off for a minute or so and try to move the truck manually.....still no luck huh?
Now loosen (do not remove) the two screws holding the Y axis drive motor and gear box and lift it from the frame. Lot of dust in behind the plastic cover huh? Why there is two holes at the gears and no felt seals is beyond me but I'm not an engineer. clean the dust from the gears and then in a quiet room rotate the large gear with the gear box near your ear. Hear that slight grinding sound. That's the unsealed inner bearing with no lube and dust build up. It's done....call carvewright monday morning to order a new one, that's what I am gonna do.

[gumbo]

thanks for the answer so soon the news is exactly what I thought but did not want to hear I really need to run the machine this weedend. My problem is that the head is in front of the gear box and I'm not sure if I can get to the screws. i may need to take the screw on the opposite end off first to loosen the belt. I hope its only dust but I am not confidant in that.

[drwatkins]

Instead, look at the back side of gear box and you will see two small nuts on the screws. Loosen the nuts and you can then carefully remove the gear box. then you can move the truck freely to a position out of the way for the install when you get ready to go back in with the gear box. also, when you go back in with it; put the belt on the cog then insert the gear box assembly into the slots. Also, I am cutting a plug and seal out of some felt from the craft section at wal-mart to seal the gaps in the little plastic cover. this is right behind the area of highest use and dust build up will continue to happen if not sealed. make sure to seal the plastic cover around the edges as well...i'm using a small bead of gunk forma-gasket.

[gumbo]

First thing this morning I took the machine apart (again). Really I found nothing, no excessive dust and the motor turned easily by hand. Put it back together and everything seems to move fine. I am going to start a carve now to see what happens. One thing I did find was that on the top of the gear box is a threaded hole that leads to the bearings. There was no screw in this hole and it was filled with dust. I cleaned it out put in some lube and put a screw in it (for now until I heare from someone here saying that It should be left open.

[gumbo]

Put the thing back together ran the truck left and right a few times and bam! Stuck again. Tried a few more times and nothing, noticed that the gear looked a bit off took the gearbox apart and the bearing is gone. Was that my only problem or was that the effect of something else. Can I just buy a gearbox? Should I just try to replace the bearing? Or do I buy a whole assembly motor and gearbox? Any suggestions?

[fwharris]

Originally Posted by gumbo

Put the thing back together ran the truck left and right a few times and bam! Stuck again. Tried a few more times and nothing, noticed that the gear looked a bit off took the gearbox apart and the bearing is gone. Was that my only problem or was that the effect of something else. Can I just buy a gearbox? Should I just try to replace the bearing? Or do I buy a whole assembly motor and gearbox? Any suggestions?

I did a look on Partdirect and not sure if this is what you are looking for or not. Might be worth will to give them a call to see.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...erId=139&mv=rr

[drwatkins]

That doesn't look like the gear for the y axis gear box. The one in the sears ad is cut for a worm gear. I looked for bearings in my junk jars and found one near but not quite the right size I believe it was off a router bit. I am going to call LHR Monday morning to order a bearing if they will sale just the bearing and a gear box if they won't send just a bearing but if they tell me I have to buy a whole new Y drive assembly with motor gearbox and all then I think I'll just junk the machine. I bought this in June and haven't been able to keep it going for any length of time without having to replace something. I put a bid on another machine on ebay last night to canniblize parts from to try to keep one going but LHR really needs to make a more robust machine. I love the carving results but it takes more hours of maintenance than you get carving time and that is too costly. If I consider my initial cost of machine, parts and labor repairing I could have bought the shop bot.

[gumbo]

I have the same feelings. My machine has less than 75 hours on it and it has been broken more than it is running. About a month ago I had to replace the power supply with 50 hours on it. That is pathetic, that a part like that would go after 50 hours, then I had a problem with the z axis and now the y, I guess the x axis is next. LHR really needs to do something about tese machines.

[glenfoxman]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far; there are a lot of good ideas Well likely be including many of them when we come out with our first batch of achievements for Axis, though Ill have to check on the technical demands of some of them.
_______________________________________
Website I designed for payday loans in calgary company.