After building this frame I ran fitness and it failed on the first try but succeeded on the second. I ran a a mock test cut without a bit and it ran correctly.
A week later I did my first test cut and again fitness failed on the first try but succeeded on the second. I did not have any operational issues on that test cut.
Last week I did another test cut and it took three tries to get a good fitness. I noticed that sometimes one or more belts are loose during fitness tries that fail but are not when I get a good fitness. Also the lower z-axis stepper motor was not moving. I cross connected the stepper motors and both worked. I uncrossed connected the stepper motors and they worked. I forgot to reset the z-axis so I had to interrupt the cut by pressing pause and then removing power.
What I am seeing for a good fitness is ~2.5 and a bad fitness <1. I have learned that a low fitness never gets better. How do I restart the fitness without removing power which I have been doing?
I believe the low fitness is caused by binding in the belts. I have increased the tension numbers to 1700. This is an improvement but does not solve the issue. I found by loosening the screw closest to the center that hold the belt guards the binding is reduced. How do I adjust the belts guards to they don’t bind?
After power cycling, my lower stepper motor does not move. Cross connecting the steppers or unplugging and re-plugging solves the problem. Does the software determine is there is a stepper motor connected or is this just a connectivity problem?
You should only need to do the find anchors once, unless you frame changes. Do you have to run a retract force of 1700 in order to get your belts to retract? If so, you may need to pull you arms apart (it’s a pain I know) and sand where the spool rotates, until you can rotate the spool easily on both halves. You can also lubricate them at this stage, a silicon lubricant has been recommended. Doing this should let you run a retract force of 900.
The problem with the stepper motors could be an intermittent fault on the control board or a slight misalignment of the motors. If it is a misalignment, loosen the screws holding the motors on the sled and wind the Z right down and tighten the screws when it reaches the bottom. If it is the control board you might need a replacement. Are you running Maslow 4.0 or 4.1?
Frame looks good if it isn’t lifting at all or flexing as the machine moves. how are your belt ends attached? are they free to turn back and forth in the xy direction?
I will pull the the arms apart (again). I see where they are rubbing and add silicone lubricate. I just ordered a can of Blaster Silicone Lubricate.
My Maslow CNC is a 4.1 Kickstarter. Bar sent me a message that there is a common problem with the controller board. I have asked him to send me a replacement.
The frame does not lift but I am concerned that the anchor points may not be in the same place between unbolting, storing and then re-bolting the frame so I calibrate each time I use it. I purchased the “Fancy 10mm locking pins” The pins fit in to Stainless Steel Tubing 12 X 10 mm epoxied into the corners and rotate easily.
Make sure the belt spools spin freely by hand on both arm halves. If not, then sand and polish the spools until they are free. That will help reduce extraction force in addition the lubricant.
