Don't rely too heavily on Sketchup it was never designed for CNC and may not be doing the best job.

Tweakie.

OK well. I mounted the laser on the machine nice and steadily, it doesn't move at all now. I also ran the steps per calibration a few times on both axes, and they matched up exactly the same every time.

So not really sure what else could be wrong with it now, apart from software.

Cheers,
Dan

So not really sure what else could be wrong with it now, apart from software.

Dan,

Which software do you think is causing the problem ?

Tweakie.

Well that I'm not exactly sure on. The page before, the g code I was using was proven to be OK, and I can create some text in lazycam and it'll draw it all fine. Maybe mach3 is interpreting the code wrong? Or maybe there is a setting (offset or something) that mach3 doesn't like?

Does anyone have any proper CAD software they know works with their machine, who could create a dxf or some gcode for me to try?

Cheers,
Dan

Can you post the dxf you used from Sketchup?
RICH

This logo has just been downloaded from "Brands of the World".
Loaded in Lazycam and toolpath produced.
GCode and dxf attached - see what you can do with it.

(this has been set up for my vinyl cutter so you will need to edit the Z in the GCode  and scale etc. to suit your machine)

Tweakie.

Here is how it turned out:



So, it would appear the problem is either in my electronics, or my mechanics.

Does anyone know any guides that could help me narrow down the problem? Or any gcode/tests I can run to help?

Is it possible microstepping could be playing a part in this? I have the controller (Pre-made, generic 4 axis board) set on 1/8 microstepping. I really do like it as it makes everything a lot quieter and smoother, not to mention more accurate, but if its causing me problems I may need to find another solution. But I'm was under the impression almost everyone used mcirostepping without problems?

I built this whole machine myself, and this teeny little glitch is all thats stopping me from finally completing it.

If hi res, detail pictures of the machine will help, I'm ready with the camera.

Cheers,
Dan

Apart from the obvious it came out very well.

On the 'R' you have a vertical shift and on the 'A' a horizontal shift so the problem is occuring on both axis.

Surely that gap is too large for missing steps (how many steps would have to be missed, consecutively, for a gap that large?) so something loose on your machine ? or your PC multitasking ? or drive belt jumping a tooth ?. I think you need to be extremely methodical in testing this to discover the cause, just try one thing at a time until you find it.

Best of luck.

Tweakie.

Do you still have the steppers being used as idlers? Could that be the problem as they may partially lock for a split second every now and then.
Hood

Dont know if it's any help to you but attached is the GCode file (thanks to Sam) I used for initially testing my laser. (it is Inch units so you may need to scale it)

http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/laser1a.wmv


Tweakie.