Engraving small font - the bit digs deeper and deeper as the job goes on. 6040z

[Fred]

Another possibility on the 6040z (especially with the standard electronics) is missed steps that occur on upward Z travel. Not sure if that can be ruled out in this case as I haven't watched the video, but could apply in other cases.

[lucan07]

Another possibility on the 6040z (especially with the standard electronics) is missed steps that occur on upward Z travel. Not sure if that can be ruled out in this case as I haven't watched the video, but could apply in other cases.

Good point I seriously doubt this slipping coupling is the problem its two pieces held together by the friction of the rubber alone so if ends stay firm nothing to stop rubber moving.

[lucan07]

In fact that's the only thing that makes sense if everything else is secure the rubbing coupling is causing enough friction for the stepper to miss steps so that the Z axis is losing its integrity.

[magicniner]

What you talkin' 'bout Willis?

[cropwell]

Some thing is pulling that coupling apart. If it were just loose on the stepper shaft there is no force to pull it downwards. I would recommend running the program but just cutting air and looking at the Z axis to see what exactly is moving.

[magicniner]

If that red bit in the middle is the least bit squidgy you and drive it in either direction and it will push the two metal sections apart ;-)

[xoneeleven]

We checked the nut at the bottom, and it was fine.

So, we took both the couplings off and examined them further.

The first thing we noticed was that the couplings appeared to be mounted slightly too low. So, when we put the motor housing back on, it may have been pushing the couplings down on the cylinder.

Here is what we did to patch/remedy the issue:

1: Used a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to lightly score the cylinder (to create some friction for the couplings to adhere to)
2: Moved both coupling halves up slightly on the cylinder.
3: Reassembled and ran a job.

So far, the results are positive. There is no slippage of the couplings.

NOTE: We did originally try to wrap a tiny sheet of aluminum around the cylinder to use as friction, but the tolerances of the couplings to the cylinder was too tight. It would not fit. So, we came up with an alternative idea in scoring the cylinder to create friction.

Anyway... Thanks for the tips. The tip on the aluminum sheet is what mainly led us to success. (that idea eventually led us to consider creating friction using a different method)
Let's hope this stop-gap method works over time.