Strong vibrations in ball screw linear actuator - is it normal

[mbridge87]

Thanks again everyone.

Once I have the OK from the manufacturer I'll take the drive off and run some tests to exclude it as an option.

JazzCNC - What you're saying makes total sense. It seemed so odd to me that the drive would stall that easily when the current was lowered and there was no load. Makes total sense that something else is causing friction. Couple quick things:

1) Is there anything I could have done which could have caused this? The slider has hit the end a few times while I was getting used to the software but nothing major.
2) Would this be obvious when I take it apart or could it be a subtle bend?
3) How would you test for it?

I'm just thinking about what the manufacturer will ask and what I'll need to come back with. Sadly, my experience with Chinese companies on sires like AliExpress is that they don't like to take responsibility when there's a problem. Hopefully this will be different.

Finally, if you're correct in your assumption, is it easy to fix?

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks again everyone.

Once I have the OK from the manufacturer I'll take the drive off and run some tests to exclude it as an option.

JazzCNC - What you're saying makes total sense. It seemed so odd to me that the drive would stall that easily when the current was lowered and there was no load. Makes total sense that something else is causing friction. Couple quick things:

1) Is there anything I could have done which could have caused this? The slider has hit the end a few times while I was getting used to the software but nothing major.
2) Would this be obvious when I take it apart or could it be a subtle bend?
3) How would you test for it?

I'm just thinking about what the manufacturer will ask and what I'll need to come back with. Sadly, my experience with Chinese companies on sires like AliExpress is that they don't like to take responsibility when there's a problem. Hopefully this will be different.

Finally, if you're correct in your assumption, is it easy to fix?

#1 Only if you hit very hard and fast would I expect big damage.
#2 It should be quite obvious if it's sticking to the point it stalls the motor.
#3 I've never used one of the stages so I have no idea what's under those covers so I can't advise on how easy to test or difficult to fix, if indeed I am correct.

Just for a laughs n giggles, and to point out the power of steppers, here's a single 4Nm 2 phase Closed loop stepper running on just 60Vac being stress tested at 10mtr/min.
I'd estimate you have more than twice that power and much smoother action with 3 phase motor.

[mbridge87]

Ha ha ha! That's some pretty good stress testing!

Good to hear that I wouldn't have caused the damage. In my initial test when I was setting current etc. for the first time I remember the marked performance increase when going to the higher current so clearly it's been like this since day 1.

One other very quick question, I have a job next week which I want to use this on. It won't be very taxing, slow moves, nothing crazy, and it still works fine just makes noise at that speed. Do you guys think it's still ok to use this? I'm not going to cause further damage? Hard to say I know.

[JAZZCNC]

One other very quick question, I have a job next week which I want to use this on. It won't be very taxing, slow moves, nothing crazy, and it still works fine just makes noise at that speed. Do you guys think it's still ok to use this? I'm not going to cause further damage? Hard to say I know.

I can't imagine it will do much damage provided it's not working for a long period, but like you say it's hard to know. Please if it's anything that is bent then the damage is done already.