It appears that there is sawdust caked on the z axis gears that may be causing this issue... I am going to remove the z motor clean it up and bottom gear of z truck then try again...
With the Z- Axis Motor removed and all tension removed from z belt, I am finding the idler pulley to be nearly impossible to move by hand is this normal? If not any ideas how to remedy this?
Sounds like you have found the problem. I would take it off and clean it up. I have used a dental pick before to remove the retaining clip. Maybe use some oil or solvent to free it up first. (Put a rag around it and give it a shot of WD40?)
I have cleaned the z-rails, idle pulley, and all previously mentioned steps.... It is still failing and I am without a clue what is going on now?!? any ideas? I have a Rev B CarveWright with original chuck if that matters in some way i can not think of....Also felt I might should mention when it failed it was working on a project with a lot of rapid ups and downs... Please, help me I need this machine working right now...
Last edited by waynedazey; 07-04-2016 at 12:09 AM. Reason: adding info
Have you checked the gears and bearing and how the motor mounts up to the gear box?
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There is a very small screw that holds a gard on the FFC, that when tightend tight can rub the back of the z-truck at different times...
thanks so much!
karl
Maybe it is time to look at the encoder disk under the rear cover of the z motor. It could be dusty or even loose.
So if you got the idle gear of the belt drive to turn that is 1/2 the battle.
Next it is very likely that one or all of the 4 roller rail bearings have become stiff. They need to be lubricated or replaced. Are they turning or just sliding on the rails?
A coating of rust/dirt/sawdust/pitch can build up on the round rails and make them wider causing the truck to stick. A tooth brush size wire brush scrubbing the rails AND the shoulders of the rails. As in the flat spot of the rollers bearings can touch a buildup of sawdust on the roller rails.
A single tooth may have snapped off of the Z Gear, I have had this happen and it is jamming the Z Gearbox.... Must remove the gearbox and gear to inspect.
The Z Motor may have gone bad... Have had this too... locks up and does not move.
Since this is a "B" I am assuming you have the 14 pin FSC Cable System. Look at the Z Motor connector and my picture. Should be the same.
At this point I would remove the Z Truck and lube the bearings... This is a task that can be a challenge... You need a thin wrench and a quality screwdriver to hold the screw head... Putting it back together it is a balance between getting the position correct as in closing the cam bearing and tight at the same time. If you turn too far.. You snap off the screw... Should be a PDF on that...
I am still confused if with no power, does the head move freely... A bad FSC Cable can cause a lock up of the head electrically...
Good Luck,
AL
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when power off the z axis seems to move fine, a bit stiff but I may be over thinking that because I have already lubricated and cleaned the four z rail bearings as well as verified they ar turning during the entire travel down the z rails. The bottom idle pulley was siezed greatly but not anymore. (removing that is a Pain in the Rump) I am going to take it apart again very shortly and check the gears on the motor and z gear and verify that they are all present. I have verified that I do have the 14 pin board. I guess if I can not find the issue there I will have to take apart the z-truck and from what limited info I have found I really wanted to avoid that....