One of the advantages of AKT Motor linear actuators is their robustness. Unlike complex servo systems, linear stepper motors are relatively low-maintenance devices. However, to ensure a long operational lifespan and consistent accuracy, proper care regarding lubrication and temperature management is essential.
This guide covers the best practices for maintaining your HSL Series motors.
1. Lubricating the Lead Screw
The most critical maintenance task for a linear stepper motor is keeping the interface between the stainless steel screw and the nut properly lubricated. Since our motors use trapezoidal screws which rely on sliding friction, a lack of lubrication can lead to increased noise, wear, and eventually, motor stalling.
What Lubricant to Use? We recommend using a PTFE (Teflon) based grease or a high-quality white lithium grease. These lubricants provide a durable film that reduces friction significantly.
- Do not use: Thin oils (like WD-40 or sewing machine oil). These are too thin to provide a lasting cushion under load and will drip off, attracting dust.
- Do not use: Heavy, sticky automotive greases that are designed for high-heat wheel bearings, as they can add too much viscous drag to small motors.
How Often to Lubricate? For most clean environments (like laboratories or medical devices), re-lubrication is required every 3 to 6 months. In dusty industrial environments (like wood routers or sanding machines), you should clean the screw and re-apply grease more frequently to prevent debris from turning into an abrasive paste.
2. Managing Motor Temperature
A common concern from new users is: “My motor feels very hot to the touch. Is it broken?”
Normal Operating Temperature It is important to understand that stepper motors are designed to run hot. Unlike standard DC motors, stepper motors draw full current even when they are not moving (to maintain holding torque).
AKT Motor HSL Series motors are rated for a temperature rise of 80K (80°C) above ambient temperature. This means that if your room is 20°C, the motor surface can technically reach 100°C and still be within its safe electrical limits. If you can touch it for a second or two without getting burned, it is usually operating within a safe range.
How to Reduce Heat If the heat is affecting other components in your machine (such as 3D printed plastic parts), you can take the following steps:
- Adjust Driver Current: Check your stepper driver settings. If your motor is rated for 1.5A but you only need 0.5A to move the load, dial the driver current down. This will drastically reduce heat.
- Idle Current Reduction: Ensure your stepper driver has “Idle Current Reduction” enabled. This feature automatically cuts the current to 50% when the motor stops moving, allowing it to cool down between moves.
- Heatsinks: For heavy-duty applications, attaching an external heatsink to the motor body helps dissipate heat more efficiently.
3. Cleaning and Debris
The lead screw is an exposed mechanical part. If dust, metal shavings, or 3D printing filament waste accumulates on the screw, it will eventually jam the nut.
- Routine: Wipe the screw down with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove old, dirty grease.
- Re-apply: Apply a thin line of fresh grease along the screw and run the motor up and down once to distribute it evenly.
Summary
With simple periodic lubrication and correct current settings, your Linear Stepper Motor is designed to provide years of reliable service. If you have specific questions about environmental protection or lubricant compatibility, please contact our support team.