C40 X Axis Lead Ball Screw

[Marius Gouws]

Good Morning
We bought our Machine in August 2006, after about one year I start to see that if you cut, for example, a small circle it is not round anymore, it got worse by the day and six months later unbearable. Find out that it is the x axis lead screw ball bearing that is worn. Sent the lead screw shaft and bearing to a bearing specialist in Port Elizabeth. Got it back and everything was right again for about a year, then the same old story to the point where it gets unworkable. We then bought a new THK lead screw bearing from Thermwood. This one is also now worn.
My question now, is it the balls that get worn or the lead screw housing or the shaft?
Can someone from Thermwood tell us what we need to order from you that will be the best solution.
Some notes: I crease that bearing every morning myself, so it is not because of a lack of crease (Castrol Longtime PD 2).
The y axis is still perfect after 5 years.(almost no play there)
Thank you very much in advance
Marius
Model: C40482
SN: C404820606

www.jirehcustominteriors.co.za/plett-kitchens.html

[Thom Davies]

Hi Marius

I've had the same problem, we've had ours since FEB 2005 and replaced the X Ball screw, Our new one still has black and i mean real black grease coming from it where as Y has a grey. I'd say check the support arm that flicks back and forth to see if it is supporting it always. i've had a few probs where it wasn't flicking back, But my cuts have been fine.



Cheers

Thom Davies

[Marius Gouws]

Thom, I have checked the anti-whip brackets and it does support the lead screw all of the time.
My question is still, what will we need to fix this? If the lead screw is worn, and we get a new THK bearing then even with the new bearing there is going to be play, otherwise they must put over-size ball bearings in.
Thermwood, any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Marius

http://www.jirehcustominteriors.co.za/p ... chens.html

[Brad McIntosh]

Marius,

Have you called or emailed the service department at Thermwood directly? As I have mentioned to others in the eCabinet Systems area - these forums are NOT the primary way to contact Thermwood's technical support personnel. If the staff at Thermwood are busy with calls and emails, they may not have time to scan through the more informal forums.

While you can many times get useful information and possibly solutions from other users on the forum, I suggest that you also call or email Thermwood's Service department directly.

Thermwood Technical Service:
1-800-221-3865 (Toll free)
1-812-937-4476
7:00am - 5:00pm (CST)
Email: service@thermwood.com

(I am not sure if the toll free number is just for North America or not.)

[Georgi Baltov]

While in Marius' case the issue is probably wear in some cases improper circle cut could be caused by high feed speeds. I've had this issue as well and whenever I cut small diameter circles I reduce the feed speed dramatically just to make sure the machine can take it. I am talking circles that are 40mm diameter or so - I was even able to cut 4mm diameter plugs that looked pretty accurate but I used 1/4" cutter and feed speeds of around 80 ipm.

This is just a suggestion. I don't know if you've tried that, may be it's worth a shot.