One Axis Won't Move (or Only Moves in One Direction), and Other Axes Move

Owned by Sam Bollen
Last updated: Jan 08, 2024
9 min read

Background

Your machine axes require power and control signals to work. If either of those are disrupted you can lose any or all axis motion. If all of your motors are not working, go to All Axes Won't Move When Commanded.

Tools

  • Digital multimeter

  • Small flat-bladed screwdriver

  • Metric hex wench set

  • Phillips screwdriver

Table of Contents

Reseat the connectors on the machine control board and motors

Reason: Control signals aren't reaching the electronic driver modules/servo motors.

  1. Power off the machine.

  2. Examine the data cables at the machine control board and the servos removing then re-connecting them to ensure they are seated.

    1. Machine control board: Degson style

      1. 424 (J13) (X-axis)

      2. 425 (J14) (Y-axis)

      3. 426 (J15) (Z-axis)

    2. Servos: Molex style

  3. Examine the power cables at the DC-Bus and the servos removing then re-connecting them to ensure they are seated.

    1. DC-Bus: Spade connector

      1. 210/211 (X-axis)

      2. 220/221 (Y-axis)

      3. 230/231 (Z-axis)

    2. Servos: Molex style

  4. Continue to the next troubleshooting topic.

  1. Power off the machine.

  2. Examine the data cable at the machine control board and the axes drivers.

    1. Machine control board: 26 pin IDC (ribbon cable); J6

    2. Stepper driver controllers: 10 pin IDC (ribbon cable)

      1. 423.1 (X-axis)

      2. 423.2 (Y-axis)

      3. 423.3 (Z-axis)

  3. Examine the power and control cables at the DC-BUS and the stepper driver controllers removing, inspecting, and re-connecting them to ensure they are seated.

    1. DC-BUS: Spade connectors

      1. 210/211 (X-axis)

      2. 220/221 (Y-axis)

      3. 230/231 (Z-axis)

    2. Stepper driver controllers: Degson style

      1. 211-214 (X-axis)

      2. 221-224 (Y-axis)

      3. 231-234 (Z-axis)

  4. If there is any discoloration, replace the cable and driver.

  5. Continue to the next troubleshooting topic.

PCNC 1100/770 only: Check connection of J2-5 and J2-6 jumper.

  1. Power off the machine.

  2. Examine the data cable at the machine control board and the axes drivers.

    1. Machine control board: 16 pin IDC (ribbon cable); J6

    2. Stepper driver controllers: 10 pin IDC (ribbon cable)

  3. Examine the power and control cables at the DC-Bus and the stepper driver controllers removing, inspecting, and re-connecting them to ensure they are seated.

    1. DC-Bus: Spade connectors

      1. 302/303 (X-axis)

      2. 304/305 (Z-axis)

    2. Stepper driver controllers: Degson style

      1. 302, 303, 308, 309, and 310 (X-axis)

      2. 304, 305, 311, 312, and 313 (Z-axis)

  4. If there is any discoloration, replace the cable and driver.

  5. Continue to the next troubleshooting topic.

  1. Power off the machine.

  2. Examine the data cable at the machine control board and the axes drivers.

    1. Machine control board: 26 pin IDC (ribbon cable); J6

    2. Stepper driver controllers: 10 pin IDC (ribbon cable)

  3. Examine the power and control cables at the DC-Bus and the stepper driver controllers removing, inspecting, and re-connecting them to ensure they are seated.

    1. DC-Bus: Spade connectors

      1. 203/204 (X-axis)

      2. 207/208 (Y-axis)

      3. 209/210 (Z-axis)

    2. Stepper driver controllers: Degson style

      1. 203, 204, 213, 214, and 215 (X-axis)

      2. 207, 208, 216, 217, and 218 (Y-axis)

      3. 209, 210, 219, 220, and 221 (Z-axis)

  4. Continue to the next troubleshooting topic.

Inspect the motor’s drivers

Assess the state of the motor or stepper driver controller

Reason: There's a defective or malfunctioning axis driver/cable.

  1. Examine the motor status LED and compare it to the manufacturer's blink code document.

  2. Continue to the next troubleshooting topic.

Full stepper driver controller swap (full driver swap) NOTE: 4th AXIS DRIVERS CANNOT BE SWAPPED WITH SERIES 3 OR 'M' SERIES MACHINE DRIVERS.

Half stepper driver controller swap (half driver swap)

PCNC 440 driver swap

Inspect the DC power supply

Reason: There's a blown fuse on the DC-BUS board.

Inspect the motor

Reason: There's a defective motor or motor connection.

Inspect the motor coupling

Reason: There's a loose axis motor coupling.

  1. Jog the axis and listen to determine if you can hear the motor run.

  2. Remove the cover plate over the coupling and make witness marks across the coupling and ball screw.

  3. Jog the axis to determine if the motor's turning but the screw isn't.

    1. If the coupling is slipping, locate the hex screws and tighten them down.

Ensure oil is getting to the motion system

Reason: Oil isn't getting to the ways and ball screw.

  1. Examine the oil level in the oiler.

  2. Investigate the oiling system for lack of oil and/or plugged lines (for more information, see Tormach service bulletin SB0031).

Push fresh oil through the system

Reason: There's oil residue from long-term storage.

  1. Repeatedly pump oil and slowly jog the axis.

  2. If the machine has been sitting for a significant amount of time, the oil layer may have a suction effect. In this case, go to Manually move the axis (1100MX and 770MX only).

Inspect the gibs position (dovetail ways machines only)

Reason: The gibs are too tight.

  1. Follow the appropriate gib adjustment procedure below for your machine:

    1. Follow Gib adjustment procedure in Mill operators manual.

    2. Follow Gib adjustment procedure in Lathe operators manual.

Clean the ball screw

Reason: There's debris on the ball screw.

  1. Clean the ball screw.
    Debris on the ball screws can rapidly accelerate wear and reduce the lifespan of your machine. Evaluate if additional measures are required to protect your machine's ball screws and ways (like supplemental dust collection).

Manually move the axis (1100MX and 770MX only)

Reason: The axis motor faulted on start-up at end of travel.

Never manually release the Z-axis on a machine. If you do, the head will fall.

  1. Power off the machine.

  2. Locate the motor couple of the axis that is producing the error and turn it by hand away from the end of travel.

  3. Power on the machine and take it out of reset.

  4. Try to reference the axis that was faulting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-nqzGE7Lu4

Tension or replace the axis belt (1300PL only)

Reason: The belt is too loose or it’s broken.

  1. Remove the Y-axis covers from the machine.

  2. Inspect the belt. If it’s broken, replace it.

  3. Adjust the belt tension until the longest straight portion of the belt will deflect in the middle only 1/8 in.