Black dust on gantry and alignment

1

So I noticed I have an alignment issue if I raster in a rectangle, and also recently noticed an extra build up of dust on the top rack.

The diagonal lines on the carving in the image are not an issue if I stay either in all y or all x for the carve.

Am I wrong to assume that these might be related to an alignment issue and that weight is somehow pulling or pushing extra wear on the pinion?

I do intend on re calibrating once the new controller and laser come in, but thought I would check in case some easy fix is already known.

Is the resolution for this dust issue still lithium grease and is that working for people?

Thanks in advance

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2

Is the black dust rubber or metal dust you can very easily take that motor off and see it may be time for a replacement or got loose and misaligned

3

Thanks for the reply, same metal dust as seen in a few other threads here.

Seems this is normal according to those threads, but just seeing if anyone actually solved their issue outside of lithium grease (seems to be the fix people use).

Suspect the gantry is off kilter but it could be the motor mount as well.

Ideally we have the guy out there who can say yeah tighten screw xyz on xyz part and should be good. :grin: And if not, I will try to return with an answer.

4

I prefer to use the spray on dry lube then grease because it’s quick and easy to apply and the dust/wood chips doesn’t stick to it

5

I’ve had this before as well - though mine was rubber (not metal), and was fixed with replacing the motor pulley and sprocket. Double check the height of the sprocket on shaft - if that is off it makes the belt spin off-axis resulting in that sort of dust.

6

Never do an offset strategy for a finishing pass on 2.5D carves, always do raster. You will always get that diagonal with offset no matter how good the machine is.

That dust is normal if its not lubed, but you have a lot so take it apart and see if the gears are excessively worn, or do a backlash test.

Lubing the gears helps prolong the life. I use a dry lube spray on the rack gear every once in a while. Grease tends to be messy.

7

Excellent tips, thank you.

Great to know about the diagonal, I could have spent months trying to figure that line out.

That was my first carve of that nature so a valid lesson learned.

Will order the spray lube and disassemble and verify.

I have your backlash vid saved for reference JN, solid content.

You guys rock, thanks