Y stepper motor started freaking out! Need help

[jzarski1]

Well I was working late at the shop tonight. And in the middle of a v carve file noticed a funny sound. I am sure you all know what your bot sounds like when running. This was not a sound I was use to. Ran over to the machine and it was still cutting fine. Well file finished and machine went home, well I went to change tools and noticed the Y motor making a funny growl/ticking sound. Then it stopped and 40 seconds later did it again. Then it started getting real loud and vibrating the gantry. I manually move the Y and it kind of stalled and then moved? I am so lost, machine has been running great now all of a sudden this. Please if any one has a suggestion. I have the 4g with the 203v drivers. I have a big project I am doing for the local A-Vet organization. It's a freebie but I don't want to let the veterans down:( thank you all for any help

John

[gerryv]

- Was this your first cuts with that exact file or had you done some previously without the problem showing up? If it was your first use of the file, are you able to run a different file to see if it continues to be a problem?

- Perhaps the driver is the problem rather than the motor; I'm not sure how easy it would be to switch two drivers on your machine to see if the problem moves to a different motor, thereby suggesting it's the driver.

[bob_s]

There are some arcs and angles that cause my y axis motor to growl softly. In my case it's just from resonance and has not caused any problem. Try a different cut on a piece of scrap, the I'd call tech support with the results.

[jzarski1]

- Was this your first cuts with that exact file or had you done some previously without the problem showing up? If it was your first use of the file, are you able to run a different file to see if it continues to be a problem?

- Perhaps the driver is the problem rather than the motor; I'm not sure how easy it would be to switch two drivers on your machine to see if the problem moves to a different motor, thereby suggesting it's the driver.

I cut three pervious of the same file.

I am heading to shop and will switch motors first to see if problem stays or moves.

John

[Steve M]

Loose wire.

[jzarski1]

This is gonna be one of those bang your head problems... I can already tell. Today I decided to just power the bot up and see what happens. Not a sound out of the Y motor. Well then let's cut.... Did about an hour or so of cutting, everything went great. Took a break for lunch, kept the controller and PC on. Got back to shop in about an hour and fired up the spindle and finished the last two tools on the project. Well things got ugly again on the last tool. I heard the motor make the same sound so I stopped the file. Sent the bot home and motor was making a rucus. I powered the controller down, switched the Y and Z plugs on back of controller. Hoping the issue would move to Z.... No issue went away? Didn't move to Z or stay on Y, just went away. Switch back and ran the file and it ran perfect???:confused: Any ideas

John

[Joe Porter]

It sounds like the driver is getting hot after some use and starts to act up. When it cools, all is well. Do you have a fan blowing across the control box? Mine is the older black computer box with vent holes in the back., I keep a small fan on when I am running the machine. For some reason, a bad driver will make the motor sound like a Prince Albert can full of marbles. I replaced the driver and keep the fan on and no more problems...joe

[garyc]

John, et al...
The drivers in the black/white PC type control boxes will cool the drivers better if layed down flat (with the control board down) versus standing up, which is the "normal" orientation for a PC application.

[jzarski1]

John, et al...
The drivers in the black/white PC type control boxes will cool the drivers better if layed down flat (with the control board down) versus standing up, which is the "normal" orientation for a PC application.

Not following you Gay... I have the black PC style box. There is a fan in the box but it was not hooked up. I don't have a fan blowing on the controller but I do have a fan that pulls across the controller and PC in the cabinet. Just strange that if it is a heat issue it just started.

This is what I have done so far to trouble shoot.
Switch drivers Z and Y
Checked all connections via Franks suggestion of taking each wire out and reseating it.

John