Problems with 3040 steppers

[tonnes3112]

Hello everyone,

I recently received a 3040 cnc from ebay, and have installed the newest mach3 and configured with the settings from the manual. The Z-axis is working perfectly, but then again, I kind of hoped for more than a one axis machine :P

Both the z-axis and the y-axis moves randomly to one of the two directions, even though I keep pressing the positive direction in mach3. Sometimes, it even just jerks forward and back a little and make a lot of noise, so something is definitely wrong. I am thinking the stepper driver boards, but it would be weird for both the X and Y axis boards to be faulty, but the Z axis board working perfectly?

I tried searching for others with the same problem, but seems there aren't a lot of people having trouble with steppers randomly deciding their own directions. As a long time forum lurker, but first time poster, I hope some of you with more experience can help me out, as I am really eager to start this new hobby.

Thanks in advance for any answers!
- Tonnes

[ducape]

Hello,
I have a cnc 6040 with the same problem as you. The Z axis goes "crazy" although I press Z + + or Z--. I changed the engine and the Z axis position is wrong with all engines. The Y axis and the X axis work well.
I think it may be the wiring, one wiring has broken (have 4 per motor) and so the engine does what it wants.
I've also tried to change the engine controller cards and always makes the wrong move the Z axis (so it is not hardware problem).
Tomorrow finds itself comes to intensity stepper motor in the 4 inputs of stepper motors.
Best regards and excuse my bad English.

[david021688]

the problem is the wire,
i don't understand what you said the z-axis and the y-axis moves randomly to one of the two directions,in basic,the z and y axis cann't move in the same direction.

[david021688]

you can replace the wire of X axis and Y

[port_huon]

Have you tried swapping cables, motors between the different axes to see if the problem is the motor, driver or cable?
I had a similar problem with my 6040 and swapping things around proved it to be a faulty driver board.

NOTE: Be sure to turn the power off before swapping things!