Arkansas Metal Art
Well-Known Member
I recently acquired a 6x12 TMX table with a Hypertherm Powemax 125. Im in the process of returning it to its former glory. I havent seen many posts on general maintenance so I thought I'd throw up some pics of my progress. Much thanks to LECS-Chad for his help and advice.
To start, the previous owner had installed a new breakaway signal cable. When re-pinning the molex connector they didn't get the pins pushed all the way in and the crimps were in bad shape. I repinned and recrimped.
I noticed the x axis motor was slipping. I removed and opened it up to find the set screw had loosened up and the shaft was spinning in the inner split collar. After a good cleaning and tightened set screws it was ready to go.
Next issue was one of the y axis spur gears only engaged half of the gear rack. This was due to the previous owner installing the gear to far down on the shaft and then installing one of the brackets upside down to compensate. Unfortunately the gear was seized to the shaft so I made a plate to pull it off.
A little wire wheel on the bench grinder action and the shaft and gear were good as new. I went ahead and pulled the other y axis motor and gave it a good cleaning also. While I had the y axis motors out I pulled all the followers and gave them a good cleaning. Here's some before and after pics.
I used 1/8" plates as temporary spacers to adjust the location of the horizontal rollers, making sure the gantry was level left to right and front to back ( I originally laser leveled the table). After getting the height I then adjusted the vertical rollers per manual instructions. If you've ever put together a small block Chevy (I say Chevy because that's the only motor worth putting together) I would compare checking the gantry side to side tolerance to checking the end play on the crank. Just enough but not to much.
I reinstalled both y axis motors and tested. Noticeable difference. It's amazing how much smoother and quieter the gantry is with the proper gear lash and all the followers cleaned.
To start, the previous owner had installed a new breakaway signal cable. When re-pinning the molex connector they didn't get the pins pushed all the way in and the crimps were in bad shape. I repinned and recrimped.
I noticed the x axis motor was slipping. I removed and opened it up to find the set screw had loosened up and the shaft was spinning in the inner split collar. After a good cleaning and tightened set screws it was ready to go.
Next issue was one of the y axis spur gears only engaged half of the gear rack. This was due to the previous owner installing the gear to far down on the shaft and then installing one of the brackets upside down to compensate. Unfortunately the gear was seized to the shaft so I made a plate to pull it off.
A little wire wheel on the bench grinder action and the shaft and gear were good as new. I went ahead and pulled the other y axis motor and gave it a good cleaning also. While I had the y axis motors out I pulled all the followers and gave them a good cleaning. Here's some before and after pics.
I used 1/8" plates as temporary spacers to adjust the location of the horizontal rollers, making sure the gantry was level left to right and front to back ( I originally laser leveled the table). After getting the height I then adjusted the vertical rollers per manual instructions. If you've ever put together a small block Chevy (I say Chevy because that's the only motor worth putting together) I would compare checking the gantry side to side tolerance to checking the end play on the crank. Just enough but not to much.
I reinstalled both y axis motors and tested. Noticeable difference. It's amazing how much smoother and quieter the gantry is with the proper gear lash and all the followers cleaned.
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