FAILURE DETERMINATION METHOD OF RECIPROCATING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reliability of a device by reducing downtime caused by sudden failure of the device. SOLUTION: This method has a reciprocating means for reciprocating a traveling body, a counting means for counting the number of motor driving pulses from a stopped state of the traveling body, a detection means provided at a predetermined position in the vicinity of a home position for detecting the traveling body, and a detection means for detecting the traveling body provided in the vicinity of a reversed position. A predetermined threshold value larger than the number of the motor driving pulses required for moving the predetermined distance is provided. The count value of the motor driving pulses is counted by the counting means from the home position until detection by the detection means in the vicinity of the reversed position. The rate that the count value exceeds the threshold value is calculated. When the rate exceeds a predetermined rate, it is determined that failure is expected in the stepping motor and the motor driving system. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT