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Author Topic: Need help with my new 4th Axis  (Read 4138 times)

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Need help with my new 4th Axis
« on: October 10, 2012, 05:16:53 PM »
I've been using Mach3 for a few years now. I have a 3 axis router. I  decided to make myself a 4th Axis (A) (rotational) got a nice 4 inch 3 jaw chuck on it.
I have done the basic configuration by selecting ports and pins (I us the CNC4PC board)
It runs fine (CW & CCW) on my jog keys that I have set up but I don't know how to set it up yet. It has a 6:1 step down. Need some basic help please.

I do not have any limit or home switches on this new axis (not sure if I need them)


Thanks in advance....

George
One step at a time!

Offline Hood

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Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2012, 05:19:13 PM »
Are you meaning the steps per unit you need to know?
Hood
Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2012, 05:57:29 PM »
Yes please, any help at all would be great.

George
One step at a time!

Offline Hood

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Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2012, 06:01:50 PM »
Well how you would work it out is
Steps per rev of motor (probably 200)  multiplied by the microsteps  of the drive (maybe 10?) multiplied by 6 (the gearing) then divide that by 360 and you will have your steps per unit (degree for a rotary)

Hood
Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2012, 04:30:23 PM »
Thanks Hood, works out at 200x10x6/360 =33.33333 steps per degree

George
One step at a time!

Offline Hood

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Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2012, 04:38:53 PM »
Sounds right :) Presume its working fine with that setting?
Hood
Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2012, 04:58:41 PM »
Yep, its fine, I did a quick test using the 'cut spline wizard'  ;D
Now is there a requirement to put a 'home' switch on a rotary axis ? I could possibly use a mag sensor or an opto ?

George

ps. Played Carnoustie a wee while back... Greeeaat!
One step at a time!

Offline Hood

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Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2012, 05:03:05 PM »
No need for one if you dont want, may be good in some situations but probably for most work it wouldnt be required.
I last played Golf probably 35 years ago, when its on your doorstep its not so much fun :D

Hood
Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2012, 05:27:51 PM »
Thanks for the help Hood.

Having built my 4th axis I now have to find something to do with it  :-\

The whole exercise has led me to revisit my setup. X,Y and Z are all set at 400 steps/per. No mistake it works fine and I have produced a lot of good work with it.

I'm confused because I see mention of setups with 1000 or 2000 in the Mach3 book, this is leading me to think I'm not getting the best from my machine.

I need to go back and check all my settings so I may have one or two more questions for you.

Cheers

George
One step at a time!

Offline Hood

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Re: Need help with my new 4th Axis
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2012, 05:33:15 PM »
Axis settings are worked out the same way
Motor steps per rev x  microstepping x by gearing (if any) then divide by the pitch of the screw.

Hood