[mikemaat]

Newb to CNC, and this is my first machine build. So I have calculated my steps per inch and input it in Mach 3, but the DRO's show about 3 inches when only moving 1 inch. Logic says that I must have the steps per inch incorrect, but I really dont think i do. I am using 1605 Ballscrews (5 mm per turn), G201 Gecko Drives (10 uStep), and a regular 200 step per rotation stepper.

According to my calculations:

- 1 inch = 25.4 mm
- It would take 25.4 / 5 = 5.08 rotations per inch
- Each rotation is 200 steps and since its 10 uStep, it should be 2000 steps per rotation
- 2000 * 5.08 = 10160 steps / inch

I have tried this both with Mach in inch and metric mode (with the corresponding metric calculations). Both ways are identical. When I move 1" on the DRO's, my actual machine movement is about 0.3". What gives???

[neilw20]

With the 5mm screws it is easiest to follow the manual and set up for metric.
Then select inch mode for your everyday use. ie, use G20 - inches., or G21 for mm.

[mikemaat]

I did try setting up as metric before and it didn't make any difference, but I'll try again tonight.

According to my math:

- 5 mm per revolution
- 200 steps per stepper revolution
- 10 uStep

So... 200x10/5 = 400 steps per mm?

[ger21]

Set your native units to inches.
Close and Restart Mach3.
Go to motor tuning and set your steps/unit to 10160.
Close and restart Mach3.
Make sure your in G20 mode, and it should move the right distance.

[mikemaat]

Set your native units to inches.
Close and Restart Mach3.
Go to motor tuning and set your steps/unit to 10160.
Close and restart Mach3.
Make sure your in G20 mode, and it should move the right distance.

Weird, is that some kind of bug? Ill give it a shot tonight.

Also, bought your screenset today, excited to try it out.

[ger21]

There's no bug. Just follow the steps I listd to make sure everything is done and is saved correctly, and it should work.

[mikemaat]

Well it's all fixed now, it turned out to be Mach. I had a VERY VERY old version (R1). I installed the newest (R3) and not only did it fix my DRO issue, but my resonance issue is gone too! Max velocity I could get on X & Y previously was 70 ipm without the machine making awful noises. Now I have 160 ipm on the Y and 250+ ipm on the X!! Much more than I'll ever need, besides jogging.

[neilw20]

Later version does help