Q: Can you help me solve Error 328 for a Sakura Tissue-Tek DRS-601?
A: To clean and lubricate the linear bearing and\or shaft for Z-axis (up/down) movement failure. Turn the power off, and then see if you can move it up and down smoothly.
1. Obstruction in up/down movement.
2. Problem with the linear bearing and/or shaft. Clean and lubricate it, and then move it up and down (with power off). 3. Problem with cable and/or motor.
4. Problem with optical detector for motion.
A: First, with power off, push the Z stage down all the way. Clean the upper part of the shaft with paper towels or gauze, and then with PT or gauze moistened with alcohol. Then, lift the Z stage all the way up, and then clean the bottom part of the shaft the same way. Note that there are grooves in the shaft (there are either 3 or 4, I can’t recall). Clean these carefully, perhaps cotton-tipped applicators would be best to get them clean. Then, use a good quality grease (Superlube or a silicone grease) to wipe onto the shaft, alternately moving the Z stage up or down. Force some similar oil into the grooves (Superlube oil if you used Superlube grease or silicone oil if you used silicone grease). Then, move the Z stage up and down repeatedly, to see if it begins to feel smooth. Then try it with power on, to see if it can move without binding and generating errors. Try this repeatedly if you still have problems. If that doesn’t solve it, there may be an additional, more involved procedure.
A: If Z axis movement is still stiff, after doing the above: The Z axis bracket is clamped around the linear bearing. Remove one machine screw, and then separate, in order to slide the bearing out of the clamping bracket. Do it carefully, but it will take quite a bit of effort. You will find there are three small holes in the side of the linear bearing. Squeeze oil (of the same base you have been using) into those holes. Fill them up and then move the linear bearing up and down. Then, fill them again. Keep working the linear bearing and filling the holes to see if it will free up motion in the Z axis. If you can free it up, then fill the holes again and slide the bracket clamp back onto the linear bearing. Ensure that the basket hanger is aligned parallel to reservoirs and reinstall screw.
A: First, linear bearings don’t necessarily last forever, especially if they haven’t been properly maintained. This stainer is probably 20 years old, or more. Second, I would take the bearing out of the bracket/clamp. That way you can get a feel for how much resistance there is when it is just the linear bearing, without the cables and motor and other bearings. Identify the source of the resistance. Third, if it is the bearing, you might try to force some solvent through the holes to clean out the bearing. If you do this, it would probably be best not to move it much until relubricated. Then, I would force in low viscosity silicone oil, and work the bearing up and down. If you can free it up, follow with a higher viscosity silicone oil, and then silicone grease on the shaft. Fourth, I don’t know if it is possible to remove the bearing from the shaft or whether the ball bearings will fall out if you do. If nothing else helps, it might be worth trying to see if you can. It might be possible to replace the individual ball bearings within the bearing assembly, if they are corroded or damaged.