The following is a summary of the core maintenance items for linear modules and linear motors. You can use this table as a reference to develop a regular maintenance plan.
| Maintenance Parts | Maintenance Items | Recommended Frequency | Methods and Requirements | Required Materials/Tools |
| linear guideway | Clean and lubricate | At least once a month | Wipe away any excess oil on the linear guideway surface and grooves, then apply or inject new lubricant | Cleanroom wipes, special linear guideway lubricant |
| Ball screws | Clean and lubricate | At least once a month | Clean away any excess oil on the lead screw and nut, then evenly apply grease or lubricant | Cleanroom wipes, special screw grease/oil |
| Extrusion bodies | Clean | Once a week or as needed depending on the environment | Use a soft cloth dampened with a small amount of neutral detergent or alcohol to clean the linear guideway Avoid using strong, acidic, or alkaline cleaning agents | Soft cloth, neutral detergent, alcohol |
| Fasteners | Check for looseness | Once a month | Inspect and retighten all mounting bolts and screws to ensure secure connections | Wrenches, Allen keys, etc. |
| Cables/shield s | Check for damage | Before work begins daily | Inspect the protective cover for damage and cables for any ripping, dents,or damage | Visual inspection |
| Motors & drives | Check for abnormal noise, vibration, and temperature | Monitoring and touch sensing during daily operation | Listen for any unusual sounds during operation and check for overheating | Sensory evaluation, use of a thermometer if necessary |
| Full overhaul | Comprehensiv e inspection and maintenance | Once a year (for high-frequenc y use) | Perform a thorough cleaning and inspection of the equipment, replacing lubricants and any wearing parts | Perform a thorough cleaning and inspection of the equipment, replacing lubricants and any wearing parts |
Lubrication Management
Lubrication is central to maintenance, significantly reducing friction and wear, lowering temperature rise, extending service life, and maintaining accuracy.
Lubricant Selection:
Linear Guideway: Lubricant with a viscosity of 30-150 cSt is generally recommended.
Ball Screw: Lithium soap-based grease or lubricant with a viscosity of 30-40 cSt is recommended.
Best Practice: The most reliable option is to follow the brand and model recommended in the equipment manufacturer's manual.
Lubrication Methods：
Manual lubrication: Suitable for low-speed applications and moderate usage. After wiping clean with a dust-free cloth, use your fingers or a soft brush to evenly apply grease to the grooves of the linear guideway and lead screw. Then, run the slide back and forth several times to evenly distribute the grease
Automatic forced lubrication: Lubricate via a centralized oil supply system or grease nipples. Suitable for high-speed, high-frequency, heavy-load, or difficult-to-manual applications. Use the grease nipples to add oil to the transmission cavity until all the contaminated oil is squeezed out. Clean any remaining oil.
Deep Cleaning
Linear guideway and lead screws: Carefully clean any oil stains on the linear guideway and lead screws, especially those in the grooves. Use a non-woven or soft cloth with a dedicated cleaning agent (such as gasoline or alcohol) to clean. Wait until the cleaning agent has completely evaporated before re-oiling.
External body: Wipe gently with a soft cloth slightly dampened with neutral detergent or alcohol. Prevent oil, water, and other contaminants from entering the motor interior.
Internal cavities: It is recommended that the steel ball circulation cavities within components such as the slider and nut be cleaned and oiled by a qualified professional.
Troubleshooting
Some problems may occur during equipment operation. Here are some common causes and preliminary solutions.
| Symptoms | Possible Causes | Suggested Solutions |
| Operating noise/abnormal sound | 1. Lack of lubrication or poor lubrication of the linear guideway or lead screw | 1. Clean and refill with the appropriate lubricant. |
| 2. Contaminants (dust, debris) in the linear guideway or lead screw | 2. Clean thoroughly and inspect the seals. | |
| 3. Worn bearings, sliders, or nuts | 3. Contact technical support for inspection. Wear parts may need to be replaced. | |
| 4. Uneven mounting surface causing linear guideway distortion | 4. Recalibrate the installation level and parallelism. | |
| Decreased positioning accuracy | 1. Loose shaft coupler | 1. Check and tighten all screws. |
| 2. Worn linear guideway or leadscrew | 2. Check for wear and contact technical support. | |
| 3. Contaminants in the linear guideway or leadscrew | 3. Clean and lubricate. | |
| 4. Motor parameters need adjustment | 4. Have a professional inspect the drive settings. | |
| Motor overheating | 1. Excessive load | 1. Check if the load exceeds the rated value. |
| 2. Excessive operating speed | 2. Adjust the operating mode. | |
| 3. Poor heat dissipation (e.g., fan failure, dust blockage) | 3. Clean the cooling fan and air ducts to ensure proper ventilation. | |
| 4. Improper driver parameter settings | 4. Have a professional inspect the current loop and other parameters. | |
| Stuttering or poor operation | 1. Severe contamination or damage to the linear guideway or leadscrew | 1. Clean and inspect. Replace any damage. |
| 2. Severe lubrication deficiency or deterioration of grease | 2. Clean thoroughly and relubricate. | |
| 3. Loose or damaged internal parts | 3. Stop the machine for inspection, tighten any loose parts, or contact technical support. |
Safety Precautions
Personal Protection: Wear necessary protective equipment, such as gloves, impact-resistant glasses, and anti-static shoes, as needed during operation and maintenance.
Power-Off Operation: All inspection, cleaning, lubrication, commissioning, and repair work on mechanical components must be performed with the power completely off. Wait until the drive is fully discharged before operating.
Professional Repair: Users are not recommended to disassemble and repair core electrical components such as linear motor stators and movers, or precision sensors such as linear encoders. Immediately shut down the machine and contact a professional technician.
Environmental Safety: Avoid using non-explosion-proof linear motors in environments with flammable gases or explosive dust to prevent fire or explosion.
Maintenance Record Sheet
It is recommended to create a maintenance file for each device to record each maintenance activity for traceability and planning of next steps.
Device Number: (Example: LM-2024-001)
Device Model: (Example: XYZ-45)
Installation Location: (Example: Laser Marking Machine, Production Line 1)
| Date | Maintenance Item | Lubricant Brand/Type Used | Maintenance Personnel | Problems Found and Remedied | Next Scheduled Maintenance Date |
