Has anyone used lubricant on the x-y shafts? I have a feeling a drip of oil could do miracles…
The head shafts with brass bearings shall be oiled anyway.
However Igus drylin polymer bearings in the x-y slides are designed to work without any lubricant. Actually using wrong lubricant, bearings may perform worse than dry. But on the other hand the z-stage screw definitely must be oiled well and I assume that the nut is made of the same polymer as the sliders.
Yeah its fine to use lubricant now and then its a machine and a machine needs maintenance.
Use fine oil for sewing machine to lubricate the rods.
Best Regards,
VEL337
“General features of iglide® plastic bushings (@ igus.com)
Maintenance-free
Lubrication-free
Corrosion resistant
Dirt resistant
High precision
High compressive strength
Good heat conductivity
Low ‘creeping’ tendency
Vibration dampening”
In general these bearings should not need lubrication. I have designed devices with Igus bearings for conditions where lubrication is not possible.
However in this case it seems that sewing machine oil is needed to reduce static friction!
Thanks VEL337 for confirmation!