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.
I disassembled the Arm Assemblies and found them caked with a grey powder that was causing the binding of Belt Spool and Arm frames. I saw that the parting line in the Belt Spool was the probable source of the grey powder. Sanded away the Belt Spool parting line with 220, 320 and finally wet sanded with 400 grid sand paper. The Arm Frames had some high spots that were also sanded.
The Belt Guard was still rubbing against the Belt Spool so I removed the innermost screw. I will remove this screw from all the assemblies. Only three more Arm Assemblies to go.
Thanks to all who responded; I appreciate the help.
I disassembled the Arm Assemblies and found them caked with a grey powder that
was causing the binding of Belt Spool and Arm frames. I saw that the parting
line in the Belt Spool was the probable source of the grey powder. Sanded
away the Belt Spool parting line with 220, 320 and finally wet sanded with 400
grid sand paper. The Arm Frames had some high spots that were also sanded.
check the gear on the motor, odds are good that it’s rubbing on the arm and
grinding it away to create that grey powder
After a break for the holidays, I was able to complete the repair on the arms. The repairs consisted of disassembling the arms, sanding the inside of the belt spool with 220, 320 and 400 grit sandpaper to remove the ridges from the parting line and applying a lubricate onto the inside of the belt spool. I did some research and I decided a light grease would be better than silicon spray lubricant. I chose Super Lube Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease; I use this grease on my outboards so I had it already.
When reassembling the arms I checked to see if the belt guards rubbed against the belt spools. On one arm I had to remove the inside most screw to keep the guard from rubbing. For the other three there was no issue.
With the router back together again, I replaced the bad Five Axis Control Board. I did have a problem with the control board not connecting to my home WiFi network with version 1.04. I downloaded the firmware to my tablet that I use to control the Maslow but the webpage did not like the touch interface. I resorted to connecting my desktop to the ‘maslow’ network and the firmware was updated without issue.
I then extended the belts and retracted them without any issues. While cleaning up the bench I found an extra bearing. I dissembled my Maslow again to find the arm with the missing bearing. I was able to reassemble and test the Maslow in record time; practice makes perfect.
I have a test file that cuts out a 12-inch square, a 2.5-inch square, 2.5-inch circle, a four-inch circle and two pocket cuts. The accuracy for the 2.5-inch square and 2.5-inch circle was less than a mm. The accuracy for the 12-inch square and four-inch circle was +0/-1mm. Overall, I was happy with the results.
The next project is making a storage box for the Maslow and after than the first real project. I don’t know how long until the grease is contaminated with swarf or sawdust so I don’t know how long I can go before I have to disable the Maslow to clean and regrease the belt spools.
The next project is making a storage box for the Maslow and after than the
first real project. I don¢t know how long until the grease is contaminated
with swarf or sawdust so I don¢t know how long I can go before I have to
disable the Maslow to clean and regrease the belt spools.
I haven’t finished assembling this, but I designed a storage box
My box is much simpler; one component for the top and bottom and another for the sides. Once the box has been glued up, I will cut it with my table saw to make the bottom and lid. I updated the design to add mouse ears because I could not figure out in Fusion how to add them in the post processor. If I decide that I don’t like the mouse ears I will hand file the corners sharp.
