[icecube]

Hello, I have a home brew cnc router that worked fine till just recently. The z axis will not move down while running a program. The axis moves with the jog keys ok. I have noticed there is no holding torque on the motor while a program is running. Hit the stop button in master5 and the motor holds. I swaped the z and y axis and the problem moved so I think I can rule out the motor. Any ideas as to where to begin? Here is a sample file I was using. Thanks in advance.

[mwood3]

I swaped the z and y axis and the problem moved so I think I can rule out the motor.

By this you mean the problem occurred on the Y axis after you swapped them and the Z axis was then working fine?

and what exactly did you swap on them? the motors, controllers, etc...?

[icecube]

I swapped the wiring from the sp-3 to the motors. After doing this then z had holding torque and y did not.

[mwood3]

SP-3 is a type of controller? forgive me Im pretty new to steppers, I run a CNC machining shop for toyota, we use all Fanuc servo gear...

[icecube]

sp-3 is a stepper controller from stepperworld.com . Very low end but they do have some better products.

[johnmac]

If the stepper driver was bad, you would not be able to jog the axis. My thoughts are possible software corruption. Stepperworld has a utility program that lets you run up to 3 axis either single steps or steady running in either direction and varying speeds.

John

[mwood3]

Im sure you have already done all the normal stuff..(checking cables, connections, etc...)