Problem

The Z-Axis brake does not disengage or show unexpected behavior.

Debugging Steps

Perform a test to confirm if the solenoid is working:

  1. Move the z-axis to the very bottom of the travel

  2. Power off the machine

  3. Unplug the z-brake cable

  4. Disengage the brake manually (push the plunger back) while holding the weight of the z-stage

  5. Lower the z-stage to the hard stop

  6. Unscrew the brake solenoid

  7. Take off the solenoid and the plunger, note the direction of the plunger tip

  8. Reconnect the solenoid cable to the machine

  9. Make sure the solenoid plunger is inserted into the solenoid

    • check if the spring is in place and working correctly

    • check if the brake solenoid can be moved without friction

  10. Power on the machine and watch the solenoid

    • the solenoid should be pulled in when the machine is enabled

    • the solenoid should “jump out” when the machine is disabled (i.e. E-Stop pressed)

70fe12ab-446f-4858-b5f7-ce91b3f0db66486387b3-db44-4ca1-8515-bca54c504467DECIDEDIf the Solenoid does not behave as expected (plunger is not retracted or does not jump out):

Check the brake cable assembly and driver board
  • If the Solenoid does not behave as expected (plunger is not retracted or does not jump out):

    Check the brake cable assembly and driver board

8f123510-6ae2-481c-bd94-cb43b9ce46c86790e969-9288-4974-a9ac-9aa22e6902b3DECIDEDIf the Solenoid does behave as expected (plunger is retracted or does jump out):

Check the z-drive assembly including the motor
  • If the Solenoid does behave as expected (plunger is retracted or does jump out):

    Check the z-drive assembly including the motor

Hanno Mueller Are steps 1 - 5 needed? Can we just test the soleniod by unscrewing the brake and pressing the E-stop and seeing if the plunger jumps out?

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