Epson C62 gear/mechanical noise when motor runs fast

[RoyTom]

Epson C62 - grating/rasping sound when main motor (left side) runs
fast (not really noticeable when motor runs slow) - not the carriage
movement motor

I have serviced these printers before. I cannot see any jammed cogs,
clogged cogs or mechanisms. All the gears are well lubricated and the
head cleaning stuff all looks in good order - the pump appears to be
functioning OK. The ADF unit appears to work properly.

The sound definitely originates from the two cogs that are driven by
this motor - does that indicate that when operating fast it is under
stress?

Any ideas? I hate throwing things away.

Rgds. Roy

 

[Tony]

Epson C62 - grating/rasping sound when main motor (left side) runs
fast (not really noticeable when motor runs slow) - not the carriage
movement motor

I have serviced these printers before. I cannot see any jammed cogs,
clogged cogs or mechanisms. All the gears are well lubricated and the
head cleaning stuff all looks in good order - the pump appears to be
functioning OK. The ADF unit appears to work properly.

The sound definitely originates from the two cogs that are driven by
this motor - does that indicate that when operating fast it is under
stress?

Any ideas? I hate throwing things away.

Rgds. Roy

Roy
My guess is the stepping motor itself unless the gears are damaged. These
motors fail from time to time.

Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[RoyTom]

Roy

My guess is the stepping motor itself unless the gears are damaged. These
motors fail from time to time.

Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

That sounds possible... unfortunately. The noise is a sort of
clattering sound. However from the look at the waste in "tank" area
this unit has had little use.

I doubt that the motors are obtainable separately however so if it
gets fixed it will be a cannibalisation job!

Is there any way of testing this theory? (of a duff stepper motor) Has
stress elsewhere on the drive mechanism or transport caused this I
wonder...?

Thanks for your help.

Rgds, Roy

 

[Tony]

That sounds possible... unfortunately. The noise is a sort of
clattering sound. However from the look at the waste in "tank" area
this unit has had little use.

I doubt that the motors are obtainable separately however so if it
gets fixed it will be a cannibalisation job!

Is there any way of testing this theory? (of a duff stepper motor) Has
stress elsewhere on the drive mechanism or transport caused this I
wonder...?

Thanks for your help.

Rgds, Roy

Generally if you remove the motor you can feel if there is a problem when you
rotate the shaft by hand, however you need to be careful because there is
usually a built in resistance to turning a stepping motor, a sort of stuttering
of the shaft as you turn it. If there is a bearing problem there may be
sideways movement and a less than healthy resistance to movement. Many of
these motors have the manufacturers part number stamped on them.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Arthur Entlich]

When you say "runs fast", what function causes this condition?

Motors can and do fail over time. Brushes and bushings can wear,
lubricants can dry out, and higher stress on the motor due to driving
heavier or more pulleys or gears can make this wear more obvious. Also,
should a gear be slipping or a gear tooth be broken, the motor could be
running faster than it should but under less stress) and it could still
be making more grating/rasping noise due to less strain on it.

Is this "fast" running a normal state or something new... sometimes a
motor will seem to be running faster when it is making noise, but
actually it is running standard speed or slower, but the sound leaves
the impression it has sped up.

Art

 

[RoyTom]

Many thanks for all the replies.

Sorry I didn't make myself clear (my fault entirely) - it is intended
(as part of the initialization routine) that the motor runs at the
higher speed on these printers - in this case its on startup when the
printer is clearing itself before the first print can be made. I
assume this is to check that any paper left in the print path is
ejected and the print head is in the right place.

So when it runs fast the clattering noise is apparent. But nothing
appears blocked, damaged or broken. However I doubt its been used for
ages - could that be the reason for the noise? all the cogs are well
lubricated. So what could cure it? You could be right that its the
motor.

Thanks again.

Rgds. Roy

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Hi Roy,

It sounds a bit like a dry bearing or bushing. Most of these motors are
sealed or "self lubricating. I don't know about the specific motor you
are referring to, however. You can probably safely place a very small
drop (and I mean very small) of very lightweight oil (like sewing
machine type) on the bushing where the shaft leaves the motor housing
and see if that works in and quiets it.

Art