Round engraved design becomes egg-shaped

[Shelley Leech]

I have an Epilog Helix 60. Just replaced the x axis motor because the machine quits after doing a couple of lines. Repair technician did not replace any parts, but cleaned grease off the bearings. Machine worked great then quit again and my engraved circle designs came out egg-shaped and is more to the right of my material rather than centered on the piece. Carriage does not seem to move easily like it should. In fact it is noisy at the home end. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Kev Williams]

You have slop in the drive train- most likely one of the Y axis drive rods is loose. And if the gantry is moving nonparallel to the Y rails, the rail bearings will bind up and make more work for the stepper's- and usually more noise...