Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: MadHattan on August 15, 2013, 11:11:40 AM
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I have scratch built my own desktop sized CNC. I have Mach3 working with my three stepper motors and limit switches so now I am attempting to dial in all the MACH3 configuration settings. Calculating the actual pulses per inch should be simple. This is what I have:
- Ball Screw, 5/8" Screw Diameter => 13/64" Travel/Turn (http://www.mcmaster.com/#5966k26/=o2q45e (http://www.mcmaster.com/#5966k26/=o2q45e))
- WantMotor Stepper Motor Driver DQ542MA => 40 pulse per step?? (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=257&pid=82 (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=257&pid=82))
- WantMotor 57BYGH420 Motor => 200 step/ revolution (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=160&pid=80 (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=160&pid=80))
My problem seems to be knowing what to put into the equasion for the Stepper Motor Driver DQ542MA. The driver documentation shows that with the DIP switches set the way I have them [on-on-off-off] I should expect 8000 pulses per revolution. I presume that the 8000 pulses per revolution is assuming that I am using their 1.8 degree/pulse motors, which I am. That would indicate that the driver is giving me 40 microsteps per step (I think!).
Can someone check my math (see attached equation)?
Thanks!
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I'd set the switches to 1/8 step (off-off-on-on - 1600steps/rev) - 8000 is way to high and will slow you down.
The ballscrews I think are 5 turns/inch, so 1600x5 = 8000 steps/inch
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Gerry! Thanks for the response.
I don't understand how you came up with 5 turns/inch on the ballscrews. I don't doubt you. I just want to learn and understand.
Thanks!
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Those aree weird screws.... I've never seen ballscrews with that odd pitch. As they are 13/64" lead, they need to turn 64/13 turns to move one inch. Gerry is absolutely correct that it is useless to use 40X micro-stepping. Anything more than about 10X gains you nothing of value. So, using 8X as Gerry suggests, you'd have:
200 Steps/Turn * 8 uStep/Step * 64/13 Turns/Inch = 7876.923076923 Steps/Inch
Regards,
Ray L.
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Thanks for the assist!