GX Series Maintenance Guide

This guide collects GX series maintenance notes into one page for easier day-to-day reference.

Daily Maintenance

Keep the machine clean whenever it is not in use. Clear chips and dust daily, with special attention to the lead screws, drive nuts, and bearing rails.

The machine should be cleaned and oiled every day before homing.

Linear Rails

Before homing the machine each day, put a couple of drops of 3-in-1 oil on each of the six linear rails.

This allows a small amount of oil to work into the bearing housings before cutting parts.

Lead Screws

Use WD-40 and an air nozzle to remove debris from the screw.

After cleaning, apply a light amount of 3-in-1 oil daily.

General Cleaning

The other bearings are sealed. The most important ongoing maintenance task is keeping dust cleaned off the machine, especially when cutting abrasive materials such as:

MDF
fiberglass
carbon fiber

High Humidity Environments and Storage

If the machine is used in a high-humidity space such as a shed or other non-air-conditioned environment, or if it will be stored without use, rust can form on:

linear rails
leadscrews
black-oxide machine fasteners

Coat these surfaces with grease or WD-40 often.

Before putting the machine back into service, dry the screws and rails after WD-40 treatment, then re-apply the proper grease and oil before use.

The black-oxide machine fasteners do not need to be wiped dry.

Bearing Replacements

Depending on machine use and loading, the linear bearings and leadscrew ball bearings will eventually need replacement.

Signs that replacement may be needed include:

excess slop
marks on the rails
jerky motion on the affected axis

For worry-free operation, replace them annually.

Anti-backlash Nuts

The Delrin anti-backlash nuts are wear items and may need periodic replacement depending on use and abuse.

When they begin to fail, backlash will appear on the affected axis.

A simple check is to pull and push on each axis while observing slop between the leadscrew and the drive nuts.

Replacing the anti-backlash nuts requires removing the leadscrews.

For worry-free operation, replace them annually.

PC and Controller

The electronics enclosure and PC enclosure can be blown out with dry air.