Maintenance
From PROBOTIX :: wiki
Contents
Daily Use:
Put a couple of drops of 3-in-1 oil on each of the six linear rails before homing the machine each day. This will allow a tiny amount of oil to be sucked up into the bearing housings before cutting any parts.
You can use WD-40 and an air nozzle to remove debris from the screw. Be sure to dry the screw of the WD-40 before re-applying grease as WD-40 is a solvent and will dissolve the grease. Use the included linear motion grease on the leadscrews. A light coating is enough, as Delrin is self-lubricating.
The Grease Zerks on the z-axis bearings are not used/necessary.
All of the other bearings are sealed. The most important thing is to keep any dust cleaned off of the machine, especially if you are cutting abrasive materials such as MDF, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.
Periodic Maintenance
--You may need to do this every 6 months to every 2 years depending on how much time and how hard you run your machine**
When the machine is built, here is what we do:
- Acetone the long black lead screws that drive the machine to clean them off as best we can
- Spray them with a dry ptfe ljubricant (WD40 has a version)
- Apply generous amounts (2 gram packet) of linear lubricant
- Apply a general purpose (like 3 in 1) lubricating oil to the solid metal rails which also helps lubricate the bearings when you home the machine.
High Humidity Environments & Storage:
If you use your machine in a high humidity environment, ie in a shed or other non-airconditioned environment, or if you plan to store it without use, rust can form on the linear rails, leadscrews, and the black-oxide machine fasteners. Coat these surfaces with grease or WD-40 often. Again, be sure to dry the screws and rails of the WD-40 before re-applying grease and oil before use. The black-oxide machine fasteners will not need to wiped dry.
Bearing Replacements:
Depending on the amount of use and the loads on the machine for your application, the linear bearings and leadscrew ball bearings will need to be replaced eventually. You will notice excess slop, marks on the rails, or jerky motion on the affected axis. Replace them annually for worry free operation.
Anti-backlash Nuts:
The Delrin anti-backlash nuts are designed to wear and may need to be replaced periodically, depending upon the amount of use and abuse your machine receives. When they fail, you will notice backlash on the affected axis. You can check them by pulling and pushing on each axis and observing slop between the leadscrew and the drive nuts. The replace them, you will need to remove the leadscrews. Replace them annually for worry free operation.
- NOTE machines built before January 2015 will not fit the new AB nuts, call PROBOTIX for spare parts on these machines**