Completed my Workbee 1010. Using BlackBox, all wired up and went through most of the steps on the setup video. All axes are moving appropriately. Impressed with the solidity of this machine, really looking forward to getting some projects done. I've noticed the BB is pretty loud when I power it on. Obviously the fan is the majority of that- I've worked in IT previously, cooling>comfort so it's OK if that's normal. However, I also hear a constant high-pitched whine. It's not the stepper motors, they make a very quiet hum at idle. I don't think it's vibration, BB is not mounted to the frame and I've even held it in my hand to make sure it's not passing thru the table. Might be the fan, might just be electrical noise. Curious if this is common/expected, or if something might need attention. Appreciate any information/thoughts.
If its a very high frequency whine it could be the switchmode 5v converter (http://www.xlsemi.com/datasheet/XL1509 datasheet.pdf) , it runs at 150khz internally but I guess on some setups it could have subharmonics in the audible range. But that should only be for those with really good hearing (not those of use who use our CNCs all day without earplugs hehe) Or the Fan, if you want to - take it out again, power it up on its own and see if its making the noises you dislike - you might be able to find a more silent 60x60x10mm 24v fan in the IT catalogs? (Not sure if Noctua makes them in that size/voltage)
Hi Peter- thanks for the suggestion. I removed the fan, and turned on the BlackBox. The sound was still there. Plugged the fan in to see if it made any difference- and the fan was actually quiet. On my initial assessment I didn't think the motors were the source b/c if I put my ear close by all I heard was a quiet hum. When the fan was off, the sound was coming from the frame, most noticeable where the lead screws pass through the plates. When I touch the flexible couplings I can feel the vibrations, and then also on the lead screws themselves but it is diminished in intensity. Again, not having issues with operation, as I've been jogging it on all axes and it moves along without a problem. It's really more of annoyance, the whine/buzz. And it's not the end of the world, as I'm in the process of building an enclosure anyway. More curious if this is "normal" or if something may need attention- maybe something is too tight or too loose. Appreciate any information/thoughts.
Hard to tell from the description These drivers are more in the realm of "bulletproof" and "powerful" and less in "quiet" and "office friendly" hehe, besides when you start cutting the endmill chipping at the material drowns out all the other noises (; Maybe a little video if you are concerned, might help us say "yup sounds like it should"
I believe I found out the issue. I was checking (again) for any movement in the screws or plates. On the far end of the X -axis lead screw, the lock collar had a small amount of play. I tightened it down. When I turned on the BlackBox this time, the sound was significantly diminished, and no longer had the high-pitched whine quality. The sound now is more like what I've heard from motors, especially of this size as you pointed out. Thanks a lot Peter, for taking the time to walk me through, this is all new. Before I start my first project, I'm going to re-check all the fasteners, always good to verify those every so often anyway.
