On going chinese 6040 problems

[amxen]

All axis run free with the strippers removed with strippers removed

[amxen]

I could maybe use the stepper drivers I have and get a new PP based BOB. Or maybe replace the all in one board with a new all in one board. But what would you go for in each scenario

[amxen]

I could maybe use the stepper drivers I have and get a new PP based BOB. Or maybe replace the all in one board with a new all in one board. But what would you go for in each scenario

[amxen]

I'm pretty sure I got nothing regarding the micro settings. I got one sheet of paper showing how to put the parts together that was unreadable.

[EddyCurrent]

I'm pretty sure I got nothing regarding the micro settings. I got one sheet of paper showing how to put the parts together that was unreadable.

So are you okay with what microstepping actually does ?

[amxen]

Is it how many steps it takes the stepper to do 1 revolution of the spindle?

[EddyCurrent]

Is it how many steps it takes the stepper to do 1 revolution of the spindle?

Yes, so a setting of 1 will give you the maximum torque, any higher will give you less torque and the reduction can be dramatic. The downside is you will loose accuracy because the smallest increment of the tool is determined by this value. However this is only true up to a point, the greater stability of the motor means there would be fewer lost steps due to the higher torque so a lower setting may increase accuracy, this sounds like it could be the case with your machine and I think you should set the microstepping to the lowest value that is acceptable to you.
If you set it to 1 then the stepper would have 200 steps per revolution, with a ball screw of 5mm pitch the smallest increment would be 5/200 = 0.025mm
It sounds small but if you zoomed in on diagonal cuts it would give you a 'staircase' effect.

Just remember to also set the appropriate 'steps per' in Mach3 so it moves the correct distance.

[amxen]

Is it how many steps it takes the stepper to do 1 revolution of the spindle?

[EddyCurrent]

Is it how many steps it takes the stepper to do 1 revolution of the spindle?

It would be with a 1 to 1 relationship but if you had pulleys for example with different diameters, then the ratio of those diameters would come into the equation.

[amxen]

yes it looks like the board has setting of 16.8.2.1 so ill try it set to 2 see if that helps. ill let you know. iv told the seller im not happy with and i would like him to exchange the controller for something thats proven to work or i will open a paypal dispute. i will let you know how i get on