When I do belts on any machine, there is no easy way to tell people how to do this. Similar to cooking as you progress you understand more of what’s happening.
With no power to the machine, I move the axes by hand, though out it’s travel and find the setting with the least amount of drag. That’s pretty much the best you can do.
Keep in mind that stepper motors are PM type motors, so you rotate it, it produces power. I don’t just shove them, but move then reasonably slow so you can feel the mechanics working. This also restricts the amount of power generated. I can light up the console on my Ruida controller pretty simply.
Once you’ve done this a hundred times, you’ll probably get the feel for doing this.
Hello, thank you very much for the support. I ran the tests and obtained the following results:
1 When moving it, the motion is moderate—neither very jerky nor slow.
2 I rotated the laser module and the movement is smooth; the only thing I notice is a slight sound—likely from the belts—just as it reaches the end at the back.
3 Yes, I can rotate it without any issues.
4 When moving the module from below, I don’t feel any binding or sticking.
5 Yes, I can move it easily.
Hi, I really appreciate the support as well, and I know these are good options. As you said, I think time will best equip me to really get to know my machine, but in the meantime, I’ll be following your suggestions until the laser machine is properly adjusted.
You answers read like I explained the items poorly. I will try to be more descriptive…
This is a “Tilt Test” suggested by Sculpfun. On a 4" (100mm) travel, it should take 4-6 seconds to drop from one side to the other if the frame is tilted 45 degrees.
With the iCube top cover removed, grab the laser module and twist it (not push it around). You are testing for play, or give, in the sets of rollers on the gantry (moves in Yaxis) and trolley (moves in Xaxis). There should be none.
Here you grab the laser by the sides with both hands and twist like you are inserting or removing a light bulb. This is to test that the laser mounting plate and adapter plate on the trolley are secure when it is locked in height position.
Answered okay on this one.
This is to just test for #3 above, but pushing up and down vertically instead.
I forgot one. Hold the case of the laser and grab the end of the arm sticking out This is the Yaxis gantry on the iCube. Twist it from side to side, but not allowing it to move at the rear. There should be no give or play in this test.
When performing this test, the X and Y axes begin to slide at the 6-inch mark and move slowly.
No play or looseness is noticeable at this point.
The movement feels firm when performing the actions mentioned.
No play or looseness is noticeable at this point.
I’ve noticed something—I’m not sure if it’s normal—but when the movement is in the backward direction, specifically during the last 15mm of the laser’s travel, a sound occurs. It sounds as if the belts are rubbing against the gears, and this only happens when moving backward, not forward.
Not sure I understand that sound, but the iCube was/is notorious for snagging on the cable, and air hose if you have air assist. With the top off, slowly push the laser module to all 4 corners by hand. You should feel no increase in resistance in any direction. If it seems okay, replace the top cover with a couple of screws and repeat by grabbing the module from the bottom.
When I added the Air Assist to mine (10w), I had a devil of a time getting the lines just right. My air hose inside the cabinet was initially too short. You can even unplug the laser module and give the cable a full twist to make the cable go in a good place.
Hi, thanks for the support. I adjusted the belts and the issue was resolved. I really appreciate your patience and advice; from now on, I’ll pay closer attention to my machine.
