Manuals/G-LSQ
Disclaimer
Zaber’s products are not intended for use in any critical medical, aviation, or military applications or situations where a product's use or failure could cause personal injury, death, or damage to property. Zaber disclaims any warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. The user of this product agrees to Zaber's general terms and conditions of sale.
Precautions
Zaber's linear stages can produce enough force to cause personal injury. Be careful to not get body parts caught between the moving carriage and the end plates of the stage. Make sure that no loose clothing gets caught in the rotating lead screw.
Maintenance
Teflon-coated (black) lead screws are not designed to be greased. Normally no lubrication is required over the lifetime of the device. If a squeaking sound develops in the lead screw, Super Lube oil with PTFE (Product number #51004) can be applied. Apply a very thin bead over 80% of the contact surface of the lead screw and run the stage slowly from end to end. Wipe off any excess.
Operation
The G-LSQ stages are designed to be controlled with any of Zaber's multi-axis X-Series or A-Series Stepper Motor Controllers. Zaber's controllers and peripherals are designed for ease of use when used together. Optimal settings for each peripheral (such as the default current, speed, acceleration, and limit settings) can be loaded by setting the peripheralid (T:66) on the controller. The peripheral ID is listed as the ID on the peripheral's label. A list of IDs is also available on the ID Mapping page. For more information on device operation, refer to the controller's user manual.
Tensioning Timing Belt and Aligning Lower Axis Stages
If the lower axis of a G-LSQ gantry system needs to be re-aligned, follow the instructions below.
Parts Identification
Alignment Procedure
- Move lower and upper axes stages to a position where all the screws holding the stages to the baseplate and cross-member are accessible.
- Remove top stage.
- Loosen cross-member screws.
- Remove timing belt cover.
- Loosen the screws holding the lower axis stages to the baseplate by about 1/4 turn.
- Slide secondary stage towards primary stage to release tension on timing belt.
- Check that dowel pins are installed (3 for primary stage, 1 for secondary).
- If dowel pins are not installed, install them. They should need only a light tap to insert. Use only 3/32" dowel pins.
- Push primary stage against dowel pins and tighten screws holding stage to baseplate
- While holding secondary stage against dowel pin, slide the stage away from the primary stage until the timing belt is taught. Try to keep the stage as parallel to the primary stage as possible. While holding the stage in position, tighten one of the screws near the motor end of the stage and one screw near the opposite end of the stage. Don't worry that the stages are not perfectly parallel. They will be aligned in the following steps.
- Tighten the cross-member to primary stage screws. Leave the screws on the secondary stage side loose.
- Re-install the top axis stage.
- Move the lower axis to the home position.
- Tighten the cross-member to secondary stage screws.
- Loosen the screw you previously tightened near the maximum travel position of the secondary stage. Both screws at this end of the stage should now be loose.
- Using the controller pot knob, move the lower axis towards the maximum travel position. The cross-member should move the secondary stage into alignment with the primary. When the cross-member gets close to the end of travel, stop the movement and tighten one of the screws at the far end of the secondary stage to hold it in position.
- As the alignment of the secondary stage changes, you will notice that the belt tension will change as well. The proper timing belt tension is very important for proper operation of the gantry system. If the belt is too tight, the lower axis may not be able to reach its maximum speed and the motor bearings will wear out prematurely. If it is too loose, the backlash will increase. See the table below for the maximum speed of your gantry system when the timing belt is properly tensioned. The maximum speed is a good indication of proper tension. If the belt tension needs to be adjusted, loosen the cross-member screws and the mounting screws near the motor end of the secondary stage and swing this end of the stage towards or away from the primary stage as necessary to adjust the belt tension. Tighten one of the screws and repeat the alignment process described above. Properly tensioning the belt and aligning the secondary stage is an iterative process and make take several tries to get right.
- Re-install the timing belt cover.
Speed Range for Gantry with Properly Tensioned Timing Belt Using T-MCA Controller
| Gantry System | Maximum Speed |
|---|---|
| G-LSQxxxAxxxA | 30000-32000 |
| G-LSQxxxBxxxB | 30000-32000 |
| G-LSQxxxDxxxD | 18000-20000 |
Warranty and Repair
For Zaber's policies on warranty and repair, please refer to the Ordering Policies.
Standard products
Standard products are any part numbers that do not contain the suffix ENG followed by a 4 digit number. Most, but not all, standard products are listed for sale on our website. All standard Zaber products are backed by a one-month satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, we will refund your payment minus any shipping charges. Goods must be in brand new saleable condition with no marks. Zaber products are guaranteed for one year. During this period Zaber will repair any products with faults due to manufacturing defects, free of charge.
Custom products
Custom products are any part numbers containing the suffix ENG followed by a 4 digit number. Each of these products has been designed for a custom application for a particular customer. Custom products are guaranteed for one year, unless explicitly stated otherwise. During this period Zaber will repair any products with faults due to manufacturing defects, free of charge.
How to return products
Customers with devices in need of return or repair should contact Zaber to obtain an RMA form which must be filled out and sent back to us to receive an RMA number. The RMA form contains instructions for packing and returning the device. The specified RMA number must be included on the shipment to ensure timely processing.
Email Updates
If you would like to receive our periodic email newsletter including product updates and promotions, please sign up online at www.zaber.com (news section). Newsletters typically include a promotional offer worth at least $100.
Contact Information
Contact Zaber Technologies Inc by any of the following methods:
| Phone | 1-604-569-3780 (direct) 1-888-276-8033 (toll free in North America) |
|---|---|
| Fax | 1-604-648-8033 |
| #2 - 605 West Kent Ave. N., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6P 6T7 | |
| Web | www.zaber.com |
| Please visit our website for up to date email contact information. |
The original instructions for this product are available at https://www.zaber.com/manuals/G-LSQ.
Appendix A: Default Settings
Please see the Zaber Support Page for default settings for this device.