mach3, steps & microstepping

[martin54]

John the X & Y axis are the same size belts & gearing, the Z axis is direct via a screw but I need to remove a cover to see if it's a ballscrew or trapezoidal.

Ten turns of the motor moved the gantry 3 inches for both X & Y axis, ten turns on the Z axis moved it down 2 inches.

Measurements were taken using a ruler so may not be 100% accurate.

[martin54]

Any advice on the best way to start this off now John please. I am guessing I want to set the micro stepping right down on the drivers if the gearing does the same job but is there a way to work out where to start with the steps in mach3.

[John S]

John the X & Y axis are the same size belts & gearing, the Z axis is direct via a screw but I need to remove a cover to see if it's a ballscrew or trapezoidal.

Ten turns of the motor moved the gantry 3 inches for both X & Y axis, ten turns on the Z axis moved it down 2 inches.

Measurements were taken using a ruler so may not be 100% accurate.

Sorry got side tracked, the dog pissed on the carpet and then on my boots when I kicked it up the arse............

OK X and Y ten turns to go 3" so one turn to go 0.300"
200 step motor means each step is 300 / 200 = 0.0015" or a thou and a half per step which is a bit course.
I reckon on a router 1/2 a thou is good enough so you want microstepping of 3 to get 1/2 thou which isn't an available step.

If you choose 5 that gives you 0.0003" per step

Now the Z, 10 turns = 2" so one turn = 0.200"
0.200 / 200 give 1 thou on full steps and 1/2 a thou if you choose 2 micro steps.

That's the maths, you may want different figures.

[martin54]

Will give that a try when I get all the electrics sorted, chears John.