Denford Software & Machines

We are having trouble with what I have been told is a brake on the top of the z axis motor.
As the machine moves on the z-axis it would seam the brake is engaging and stopping the travel.
The unit runs very hot. Too hot to touch for more than 3 seconds.
There also seams to be 4 cracks in a disk inside the top unit.
Am I right?
If so what does this do?

Thanks
Jeff C

The brake assembly unit will get very hot Jeff.

I would check for a broken wire to the brake. It should be roughly 24volts DC. You can run the Z without the brake fastened to the motor to prove it if you unscrew the 2 nylock nuts.

The brake energises to realease the motor so it is normal to be hot. The disc should not be cracked but this may not affect the running. You could just slacken the clamp screws slightly and see if this improves things. If you remove the screws the brake can be lifted off and the Z should work without.

The only issue would be the slide may fall under gravity or if the machine is E Stopped while making a cut the tool could pull the head down into the bed.