X Axis Travel Accuracy

Does your setup allow you to adjust the pinion depth?

You could probably tighten it up a little. But too tight will accelerate wear also.

Hi Leon,

The Rack and Pinion system does use a preload spring to pull the pinion against the rack.

I'll pull one of the pinions off the machine today and post some pictures of the wear. I guess it's better to wear the pinion than the rack.

Cheers,
Jason.

Jason Arnold wrote: Hi Leon,

The Rack and Pinion system does use a preload spring to pull the pinion against the rack.

I'll pull one of the pinions off the machine today and post some pictures of the wear. I guess it's better to wear the pinion than the rack.

Cheers,
Jason.

Yes better to replace a small gear vs a 4ft+ track.

It may be considered a "wear" item or maybe try some type of grease lubricant. If they are cheap enough it may be worthwhile to try a new one and check it with the indicator

Yeah I think they do consider it a wear item. I was thinking that a dry lubricant might be helpful. Normal grease would probably catch too much dust and crap causing other problems.

Cheers,
Jason.

Here are some pictures of the R&P setup and the wear on the pinion.

The wear seems to be concentrated on one side of the tooth. I’ll check the other side of the gantry too. Maybe the pulleys can be swapped side to side to alleviate some of the wear.

Cheers,
Jason.

Do you climb cut or conventional cut.

Conventional cutting will always be pushing back on the tooth.

Climb cutting the forces will accelerate the gantry with the rotation of the tool.or even possibly make it rattle back and forth if it's really loose