What is Backlash in CNC Machining and How Can You Avoid It?



Backlash is the tiny clearance available between adjoining gear teeth.


This space exists to avoid the machine from jamming and allow easy lubrication.


Nevertheless, while machining, this space can cause the measurement to be inaccurate and the design to be unresponsive.


So, backlash is both necessary and a problem.


In CNC machining, backlash is especially problematic as it can be difficult to trace and even more difficult to compensate.


Sometimes the clearance between adjoining gear teeth is not the only reason for backlash. 


Backlash can also be caused by loose and deformed machine parts.


One of the most common and best ways to solve backlash issues is to replace the lead screws with ball screws.


Ball screws are more suited for CNC machining as they provide smooth operation, efficiency, accuracy, speed, precision, and long-lasting high-speed movement.


You can also reduce the amount of backlash by compensating for it.


If you are a manual machinist, you can compensate for it by feeding up the clearance on the handwheel.


Most CNC software also offer backlash compensation but require the operator to feed in accurate information about how much backlash is present.


Once you find the source of the backlash, it becomes incredibly easy to get rid of it. 


Besides ball screws and machine parts wearing off, backlash can also be caused by 


  • Motor drive mechanism

  • Slideways and or Gibs

  • Machine Flexure and Rigidity


You can use both software and hardware compensation to get rid of backlash.


Software requires you to feed in the exact information to compensate for the backlash.


Hardware compensation implies the inclusion of anti-backlash nuts on lead screws or the replacement of lead screws with ball screws.


If you need ready-to-work CNC machines with reduced backlash, visit CNC Conversion Plus.


We have 40 years of experience in designing and machining. 


When we design your CNC machines, we make sure to consider every little aspect of machining so you get high-performance, smooth CNC machines that can serve you for years.


We make sure all our CNC machines are backlash-free and accurate, so you don’t have to go around making any sort of adjustments.

Comments

  1. Jason27 December 2021 at 18:49

    I bought a supposedly turn key machine that was anything but. Spindle wasnt hooked up in the software everything was loose there were missing parts.ball screw couplers were broke and undersized. The xy axis were reversed(not cartesian) the bearings that tighten the ball screw lots of play. The soldering on my z motor was not solid causing the motor to vibrate and move in both directions at same time. There was no way he quality checked the machine at all or he would have found many of the problems. The y axis ball screw that connects to the coupler was 7.4mm instead of 8 making the coupler unuseable and the machine completely inacurate. Do not buy from cncconversionsplus mike canada. I hate writing stuff like this but the experience was sooo bad i hope no one has to go through it

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