I noticed something this week. Was curious if anyone noticed anything similar. I seem to get chatter way way more easily if my spindle is moving along the x axis.
As background, have an original x50 journeyman with a stiffy and a z20. Currently as stated with a 1.5kw water cooled 80mm spindle. My table is a 5” thick torsion top so it should be reasonably stiff.
I just upgraded to an 80mm 1.5kw water cooled spindle. Cutting some mdf and decided to try a 1/2 inch endmill. I left the feeds and speeds at the manufacturer’s recommendation. The machine cut like butter when moving along the y axis. Even at 360ipm 1/2” doc. I was amazed. As soon as it changed direction and moved along the x axis it chartered the whole way. The second it switched back to traveling along the y axis….silky smooth without chatter.
Couple days later I noticed the same thing with a 1/4 inch compression endmill cutting 0.25 inch doc at 180ipm in mdf. Chatter on the x nothing along the y. Thinking back on this behavior I think I’ve had this for some time and just never out it together.
Am I the only one with this behavior? Is this the “it’s just a hobby machine” rigidity limit?
I’m curious, had you noticed any “chatter” prior to converting to a spindle?
If not, at least one element associated with that revision would seem to be the culprit.
Yes. But I just chalked it up to machine rigidity. But now I’m wondering since it’s only in one direction. Plus my feeds and speeds aren’t that aggressive. I feel like this machine should be capable of more.
So after working with support for a few days, turns out I have a bad motor in my X axis. All this time I just thought my machine was a “hobby“ machine or my table wasn’t rigid enough or something. I’m excited to actually see what the machine can do for real.
I do want to give a shout out to support. I didn’t even realize I had a problem like this and they worked very patiently with me through the whole thing taking my complaint seriously. Thank you guys.
It is good to hear support came through and a resolution is on the way. Did they indicate any specifics about what the motor’s malfunction? It might be helpful for others who have machines beyond warranty.
No, they just had me remove the motor and check the movement with it sitting on the bench. I jogged it 5 in left and right using the touch screen. On the +x it was smooth. On the -x it would catch and briefly stop at the end of the movement. The was a rough vibration to the touch as well. It was pretty obvious when I saw it. I did have to play with the motor a few times to find it. It didn’t do it every time I jogged it. I guess it’s good to test multiple times to be sure.
I thought it was weird that it showed a chatter. I wouldn’t have guessed chatter was a bad motor. But it’s only along the x axis which struck me as weird.