[mickelsen]

I have an MDF machine. I use a Bosch Colt for the spindle and a fairly large dust boot. I think I've been having trouble lately with missed steps on the X-axis. This is the axis that moves the Z-axis slider with the spindle and dust boot attached. I'm wondering if having that much weight on one side of the Z-axis slider with no counter weight on the other side might be causing this problem. But I'm also wondering if doubling the weight on the slider might cause as many problems as it solves. I have a 305 oz./in. stepper driving the slider back and forth.

Would anyone care to comment on whether this situation is causing me problems?

Thanks,
Mark

[awerby]

then sure, a counterweight might help. But it seems that it would just add weight to the gantry, and exacerbate your X-axis problems. I'd advise looking carefully at the mechanics of your system, particularly the X axis slides, screws, and motors, to determine whether your slides are sticky, your screws have too much resistance, or your motor's just too weak for the load.

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com — Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software

[Christian Knüll]

Maybe just disconnect the spindle and move the axis by hand to see if things improve when you add weight (or just press with your other hand) to the other side.