5.2 Maintenance
5.2.1 Gib Adjustments
The objective of adjusting the gibs is to eliminate as much play in the table, saddle
and ram sliding surfaces as possible without having the tightness of the gib interfere
with their free movement and cause a decrease in the accuracy and/or performance
of the machine due to excessive friction.
5.2.1.1 Cross Slide Gib Adjustment
(See Figure 20)
1. Mount a dial indicator on the carriage and measure the slop in the cross
slide. The dial indicator should be mounted a few millimeters in front of
the tool post. (Note: this should be where the gibs are worn the worst.).
2. Try to move the cross slide back and forth to measure the amount of
play. The dial indicator should only move between a 0.005 mm and a
0.01 mm. If it moves more than this then tighten the gibs.
3. Turn the X-axis ball screw with a torque wrench and measure the torque.
The torque should be less than 1.7 N-m. and consistent over the travel of
the X-axis. If the measurement is higher than this then loosen the gib.
Make sure the cross slide is aligned properly. One easy way to check for
this is to remove the yoke bolts and see if the yoke springs back into
position. Misalignment is also evident if the torque is higher when the
yoke is up against the rear bearing housing.
4. You can also check the gib by taking out the yoke screws on top of cross
slide.
5. Tighten gib screw and move cross slide back and forth. It should feel
somewhat tight, but not to the point where it is hard to move.
Figure 20
X Axis Gib Adjustment
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