cat
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by cat on Oct 12, 2021 1:22:07 GMT -5
I've watched the Axiom YT vids on maintenance and pretty sure I've successfully greased the ball nuts on the X and Z axis following their instructions. The problem is on the Y axis the zerk fitting doesn't want to pivot out as others seem to in the vids and pics, so I can get the grease gun nozzle over it.
I've tried swivelling it out, but it does NOT want to move, and the other two were winding themselves ON to the thread when swivelled out so thinking its the same here and more force is not going to get me a result...
My question is: should I remove the cap screws and free the ball nut as in the other two, or is there more I need to know to make sure I don't mess up the Y axis alignment?
Anyone else had this issue?
This is my first machine so really want to be informed before I start unscrewing stuff.....and I've got jobs waiting for me to get this done.
Any help would be vastly appreciated!
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Post by dadealeus on Oct 14, 2021 9:40:54 GMT -5
I'd give Axiom a call and describe your issue to them. They should be able to help you with these types of questions. I simply don't have any experience with the issue you have and I wouldn't want to tell you something that might damage your machine.
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cat
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by cat on Oct 14, 2021 19:53:37 GMT -5
Thankyou for your response I appreciate it!
I abandoned the effort to apply grease to the Y axis zerk fitting on the recommendation of the supplier here. I did apply a small amount of grease to the rail itself and ran the ball nut back and forth a few times. Now I have intermittent loss of steps on that Y axis and I cannot reliably run the machine. I guess I will be calling Axiom soon.
If anyone thinks to apply grease as opposed to light machine oil to the rail, I wouldn't recommend it! ;D
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Post by dadealeus on Oct 15, 2021 6:48:35 GMT -5
Hah, well, it certainly sounds like something that can be fixed. Axiom has been great with their support for me, so I wouldn't worry; I'm sure they'll do the same for you.
I understand the frustration of having to wait though. Few things worse for an engineer than sitting there looking at a machine that costs thousands of dollars that you can't use for XYZ reason.
I'm sure they'll have you up and running fairly soon though!
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Post by Chad on Oct 18, 2021 8:54:21 GMT -5
With regards to greasing the ball-nut bearings...many machines may have grease fittings that are inserted too far to allow for rotation.
In those cases, the Cap-screws would need to be removed to allow access. Then, in much the same fashion as the video shows for the X-Axis...when reinserting the cap-screws, you would need to leave them slightly loose (1/2 turn or so) and then the Y-Axis would need to be moved to the far fixed end of the travel (closest to the stepper motor) and then tightened there.
*This ensures proper post-lubrication alignment.
With regards to grease on the ball screw directly...please be careful of the kind of grease used, as it can actually increase the resistance. You are correct in that the only thing that is advised to be applied topically would be a light machine oil...though there are some that use a white lithium grease with great success.
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