We have an old Bridgeport Series II mill that has been modified with a Fanuc-OM controller and servo motors. We bought it about a year ago, and I am currently in the process of getting it running to use for custom parts around the lab.

Everything seems to be working fine, except the X and Z axis are extremely noisy compared to the Y axis.

The X axis has been disconnected from the lubrication system since we bought it. I am not sure how long it has been run (by the previous owner) with the lubrication system disconnected. I plan on hooking it back up, will this help with the noise and lifetime of the machine? Has irreversible damage already been done? The x axis performs accurately with the CNC.. just the steady noise.

The Z axis is also a bit noisy, although it is connected to the lubrication system. It is supported by a hydraulic knee that requires about 40 PSI. The lead screw used to have a rubber bellows, but has completely disintegrated, and it looks like chips might have made their way in. It performs accurately with the servo motors and control, but it shakes when I am doing rapid travel. Anything speedy, and it feels like its getting caught on an non-lubricated surface.

Any suggestions for getting my axis back in shape?

The Y axis barely makes a peep. Smooth as butter.

The british car world use the abbreviation DPO, dreaded previous owner.

One has to wonder what was going through their tiny little minds.

A standard Bijur pump can be manually operated when it is not close to the top of the cam, so I would suggest working it repeatedly to get some oil in that poor dry ballscrew. Maybe even manually forcing just that line.

Positive thinking, it could be the bearings................otherwise you are in for a ballscrew regrind.

they will make noise for a long time before ceasing function.........