X and Y axis rod questions

[Mick Jagger]

Hi,

I have recently ran into trouble with my cnc machine, it wouldn’t move on the axis anymore so I had to open it and fix it, I took care of that problem but when putting it back together I saw a spring on the rod that it travels on for the axis. I was confused on what the purpose of that spring was and just wanted to know if anyone can help me understand it. I have taken two pictures to show the area I am talking about.

thank you

[Mick Jagger]

http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spring1ln0.jpg

and

http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spring2mm0.jpg


those are the pictures

[holbieone]

those are part of the anti back lash nut ,you do need them there

[Mick Jagger]

Originally Posted by holbieone those are part of the anti back lash nut ,you do need them there

do you know how i can tell what would be the best distance for the spring length when building my own? What would happen if my distance was too small or too big

[holbieone]

they are there to hold tension on the nut

wait of spring and gap would depend on the load being applied to the nut in the spring direction

you will need to try one set up the adjust from there

[Mick Jagger]

Originally Posted by holbieone they are there to hold tension on the nut wait of spring and gap would depend on the load being applied to the nut in the spring direction you will need to try one set up the adjust from there

so there will be no real disaster if i mess up the size?

[holbieone]

no

unless they're too tight , but if you can turn the screw with your fingers without to much drag you should be OK

if there is to much slop in the screw, shim the springs tighter or get stronger springs

like any home made device you will have to do some fine tuning

do one axis first ,and the others should be easier

[Mick Jagger]

Originally Posted by holbieone no unless they're too tight , but if you can turn the screw with your fingers without to much drag you should be OK if there is to much slop in the screw, shim the springs tighter or get stronger springs like any home made device you will have to do some fine tuning do one axis first ,and the others should be easier

How do i know how much i have to tight for probably 35 to 40lb pieces. I also didn't quite understand what you meant about the slope of the screw since one side is being screwed into the metal piece, it is not loose to be slanted. Does the weight it can support depend on how tight the spring is? Such as if it is tighter it will support more?

[holbieone]

i should have said ,how much back lash in the screw ,not slop

it's time for you to get your feet wet in this project you'll learn a lot by doing it

[Mick Jagger]

Originally Posted by holbieone i should have said ,how much back lash in the screw ,not slop it's time for you to get your feet wet in this project you'll learn a lot by doing it

I just don't want to break any of my pieces in the process

[holbieone]

take it slow ,build one axis first ,when you have it running correctly build the other axis