Denford Software & Machines

Customer writes in...
we’ve cleaned the limit switches multiple times
we replaced motor brushes
We reinstalled the software
Mill works fine (most of the time)
However –
We’re running a 4 “step” milling operation:
1. Milling the top.
2. milling the bottom
3. milling the right hand side
4. milling the left hand side

Steps 1 and 2 are each separate files, right and left hand sides are mirrored file……..

Here’s the current issue:

SOME of the time, when running step 1 above, we get ¾ of the way through the program, and for some reason, the Y axis shifts the car (balsa) forward, toward the front of the mill cabinet approx. 10 mm, then continues to run the rest of the program……..it did it Monday, then the next car it did fine, then today, we milled one car fine, the next two attempts it shifted the y axis………..

attached are the files for running the top of our car

Any suggestions?

I'm pretty sure that something is causing the axis to stick and stall the stepper motor.
Clean and lubricate the Y axis slides and screw (under the table)

We use this swanslip silicone spray and I think its recommended you spray the slides and screws every week:
http://www.swantek.com/html/products/spi23812.htm

Check the tool you are using is sharp

Check the flutes are long enough to make a full depth cut and that the shank does not run into the car.

It could be that turning the feed override down or running a roughing pass would help.

As Admin says it sounds like the axis is stalling and it could be mechanical or cleaning will resolve it.


It could be the cutting forces are stalling it.