4 easy steps to keep your CNC router running smoothly

1. Daily

  • Clean all debris off machine (blow off with pressurized air after every part)
  • Inspect toolholders for cleanliness **
  • Inspect internal taper of spindle motor**

2. Weekly

  • Check pneumatic oil level in regulator*
  • Empty water in regulator
  • Inspect blower pre-filter and main filter, clean as required
  • Grease all leadscrews and runnerblocks***

3. Monthly

  • Upload all machine data via RS232 or ethernet (machine parameters and program files)
  • Copy machine data onto floppy disk and store in a safe location
  • Inspect all pneumatic connections, listen for leaks and inspect enclosures for excess oil*
  • Inspect all electrical enclosures for cleanliness (power to machine should be off)
  • Inspect all belt and pulley assemblies for tightness and belt integrity
  • Clean and grease fourth and fifth axis gear assemblies***

4. Semiannually

  • Deep clean all lead screw and ball nut assemblies by flushing ball nuts with WD40
  • Clean dry assemblies, then perform error calibration on all axes
  • Inspect all wiring connections in machine enclosures

*Machines require 10-weight pneumatic oil for lubrication of cylinders, pneumatic drills, and mechanical moving components within Colombo type spindle motors.
Machines with HSD motors should not have oil in their regulators. Pneumatic oil may be applied directly to cylinder shafts for these machines.
** Tool holders and spindle shafts may be cleaned using rust inhibitor solvents.
***Recommended grease: Lithium based multi purpose grease.
All safety procedures of individual companies should be followed.
Only steps which require machine operation should be performed with power on.
When using pressurized air to clean electronic components, ensure there is no moisture present.

Troubleshooting CNC Routers

CNC Parts Dept. provides technical documents to owners of CNC routers. To access our troubleshooting information and register for telephone support, please contact the CNC Parts Dept. at 858.922.4967. We will provide you with links to the many helpful troubleshooting pages listed here.

Troubleshooting DC Servo Motors
  • Machine shifts position during operation
  • Axis homes in different positions
  • Axis vibration
  • Axis never homes
  • Axis runs away or goes the wrong direction
  • Feedback alarms
  • Following errors
  • Servo wiring diagram
  • Setting Up a DC Servo Card – Servo Dynamics SDFPO 1525-17
  • Servo card adjustment, Fagor 8050/8055
Troubleshooting Spindles
  • Spindle faults
  • Spindle doesn’t come up speed
  • Spindle gets hot
  • Spindle sensors
  • ISO Toolholder Gets Stuck In Spindle
Programming Inverters
  • Programming VFDs (power inverters)
  • Wiring Cross Reference from your old inverter to a Delta VFD-B
CNC Machine Maintenance
  • Scheduled Maintenance
  • Tool Holder Maintenance
  • Z Axis Bearing Replacement – 5 Axis Routers
  • Z Axis Bearing Replacement – 3 Axis Routers
  • DC Servo Brush Maintenance
  • Air Cylinder Filter Maintenance
  • Blower Filter Maintenance
  • Line Reactor Maintenance
  • Braking Resistor Maintenance
Troubleshooting Ground Faults
  • Servo Card Ground Fault
Troubleshooting Pneumatics
  • Leaky Air Regulator
  • Counterbalance Cylinders
Troubleshooting CNC Controllers
  • Backing Up Your Fagor 8035/40/50/55 Controller
  • Backing Up Your Fagor 8025 Controller
  • Backing Up Your Allen Bradley 8400 Controller
  • Backing Up Your Allen Bradley 9 Series Controller
  • Backing Up Your Siemens 810M Controller

VFD Cross Reference Guide

CNC Parts Dept. recommends replacing AC motor drives with the DELTA brand of variable frequency drives. View this VFD Cross Reference Guide to find the correct Delta AC motor drive to replace your Yaskawa, MagneTek, Omron, Saftronics, Baldor, or ACTech / SMVector VFD.

Glentek to SEM DC Servo Motors

CNC Parts Dept believes fast replacement of cnc router parts is crucial. Lead times for out of stock servo motors can be as much as a year. To help alleviate that pain we have developed a cross reference chart. Glentek DC Servo Motors Specifications with equivalent SEM alternative DC Servo Motors. Below is the link. We use it to determine the SEM motor to fit your Glentek need.

Glentek to SEM DC Servo Motors Cross Reference Chart

Baldor to SEM DC Servo Motors

CNC Parts Dept believes fast replacement of cnc router parts is crucial. Lead times for out of stock servo motors can be as much as a year. To help alleviate that pain we have developed a cross reference chart. Baldor DC Servo Motors Specifications with equivalent SEM alternative DC Servo Motors. Below is the link. We use it to determine the SEM motor to fit your Baldor need.

Baldor to SEM (Servo Dynamics) DC Servo Motors Cross Reference Chart