Need Help!- is this normal??? my stepper sounds weird while no doing anything

[carlo mateo]

Hi

I just received my first cnc machine (zenbotcnc 12x16). I dont have any experience with steppers motors, there is this sound that they make while not doing anything at all, they sound like an old harddrive accessing data! that really worries me!!

I recorded how it sounds and attached a mp3 file zipped, can anyone please hear it and tell me if this is normal?

Thank you so much!!!

Cj

[free_matrex2010]

i think this sound from the ideal mode
the stepper still get have some current so
they used ne 555 in vref to get it of
ia am sorry for bad english

[keebler303]

Stepper motors consume power even when they are not moving, just the nature of the motor. Lower end stepper drives will tend to hiss and howl. If you search around you will find a copious amount threads on the subject. In short, it is mostly normal and should be fine.

Matt

[carlo mateo]

I sent the same audio file to Shaun (maker of the zenbot) got a quick response back from him, telling me that this is not normal! He suggested that we start troubleshooting first by checking and adjusting the current to the steppers.

should I be worried???

[keebler303]

Is the motor vibrating against something? Like not tightly fastened? I have gotten noises like this from a xylotex board on a small cnc router. I think it is due to the current chopper being used on the drive board. See what the guy says and go from there. The first good sign is that the guy has acknowledged there may be a problem, you don't even get that from a lot of folks.

Matt

[carlo mateo]

Thanks for all the help keebler303! I really appreciate it.

I'm still waiting for a friend of mine and his tester to check the current. I dont see anything that could be loose, the machine had quite a journey to get where I live but everything seems fine.

Well my friend just got here, so I'll do the current check right away! How did you solve your sounding problem???

Thanks again!

Cj

[keebler303]

Mine vibrated badly when I had it bolted to the machine. I got it to calm down a bit by putting a silicone rubber sheet between the motor and the mount to dampen some of the vibration. It almost sounds like part of your machine is acting like a soundboard to amplify the smaller noise of the motor (like a guitar). As long as its not burning up your motors, its just something you learn to tolerate, until you buy some gecko drives.

Matt

[carlo mateo]

Thanks for the info Matt!!


I just checked the voltage, here are the result for each axis. The voltmeter was adjusted as 20 dcv:

Z 6.85
X 7.13
Y 6.65

I sent this info to Shaun, waiting for his answer, he's really helpful. I'm really worried now as I thought it may be some interference with the parallel cable, to test I left the computer off, I just turned on the controller box, at first they remain quiet, but after a minute or so the sound came back, in the y axis as before.

Cj

[rich909]

Hi Carlo --

Any progress on resolving this problem?

You didn't mention it, but I assume that you have verified that you have a good electrical ground and that the circuit is properly wired. Have you gotten a response from Shaun?

--Rich

[carlo mateo]

Hi Rich!

I was involved in a very big and complicated job this month, (Im a motion graphics artist) so I had to put a hold on the Zenbot.

Thanks for bringing out the circuit and electrical ground. I have a 10amp power regulator just for the zenbot and it has a warning light for ground issues... so far that light is always green which means everything is ok.

I spoke with Shaun and Explained him my situation about not having time to do a series of tests in order to nail down the problem, he answered quickly and kindly stating that I could take my time and get back to him after doing the tests he suggested to find out the faulty part so he could send me replacements if needed.

I'm really satisfied with his support in this issue.

I just finished the job and right now I'm building a table and enclosure for the zenbot and I will do the test right after having those ready.

Cj