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  1. #1

    What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Ok, we have the machine basically functioning...
    But, the units of movement are not understood.
    Ie, what does the DRO show? mm or inches in
    the normal mode with the "Lock DRO" unchecked
    in the Configure panel.

    The system is set to "mm" in the "Select Native Units"

    I have checked tried checking "Lock DRO" to force it
    to show "mm" in the DRO, however when measuring
    the movement it is not in mm but closer to inches.

    The machine is a Omiocnc 60/40 with 5mm ball screws.
    We are using Gecko 203's, and those by them selves are
    confussing. The title for them on Gecko's site say "native
    resolution 10 uStep (2000 PPR), but a side note says
    "Need to run your G203V in full step, half step, five microstep or ten microstep?
    Click here to view the G901X, which will turn your G203V into a G213V!"

    Thus, I am confussed as to will the plane Gecko 203 run at 2000PPR
    or does it need the G901X to do this?

    I have the steppers set to 10000 steps per millimeter currently.

    Hope this is enough info to get something back in the way of an
    answer.

    Best Regards,

    Preston

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Whatever your Native Units are set to, provided your current mode is the same.

    Gecko G203 are 2000 steps/ revolution.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Whatever your Native Units are set to, provided your current mode is the same.

    Gecko G203 are 2000 steps/ revolution.
    Thanks Gerry!!! Looks like I have something in the Config file wrong then.

    Best Regards,

    Preston

  4. #4

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Ok Guys,

    A bit more confused as when measuring the actual travel of the x,y & z axises
    I get a measurement of about 0.192-0.194 inches or about 0.75mm per
    revolution of stepper motors.

    This to me would equate to 0.00375 mm per step and thus I should set
    the Steps per in the Motor config file to 2666 steps per mm.

    This is again for setting up a Gecko 203 stepper at 2000 steps per revolution.

    Im I on track?

    Best Regards,

    Preston

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Is there a belt drive on the screw?
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  6. #6

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    No belt, they are all direct drive.

    This is what is throughing me, as the web site
    for the Omio 60/40 says that these are 5mm ball screws.

    Best Regards,

    Preston

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    128

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Can you post a picture of your machine and/or a link to web page for your machine.
    Something is not right.
    5mm dia X.8 pitch is threaded rod not ball screws/
    .8 step per revolution would be a very slow machine?
    Driving 5mm rods with gecko 203's would be serious overkill?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    5mm pitch ballscrews would be 400 steps/mm
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1723

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Make sure you set the right units in in Mach configuration page. Then do a calculation on steps/unit, keep in mind you need to keep all the units in the same standard. If you have a motor that is 200 PPR, and a 5MM ballscrew you need to calculate the movement in INCHES. If you have your exact configuration it is pretty easy to calculate. There are even calculators on the web that will do it for you if you put in the motor info, ballscrew info and any gearing if used.

    Russ

  10. #10

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Ok, my error in converting the measured 0.194 inches to mm.

    It should be very close to 5mm, so as stated in the Omiocnc.com specs.

    Units in the Mach config page set to "mm"

    However, when I set it to 400 steps per mm, the stepper barely moves.

    Is the Gecko 203 set to 2000 PPR from the factorywhich would be 10x micro steps or do I need to set some
    jumpers.

    Best Regards,

    Preston

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1723

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Have not seen the latest Gecko but they used to have some dip switches on the board that set the microstepping. Just go to their site with your model and you will find it pretty quick.

    Russ

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1723

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    PrestonSMA,

    Here is an example of how the step per unit calculation are done in a mixed environment.

    Servo Motor 2500 Pulses/Rev
    Ballscrew 5mm so 5mm = .196845 inches 1 / .196845 = 5.08 Turns/Inch

    2500 PPR * 5.08 Turns/Inch = 12,700 pulses per inch Note: everything has been converted to be in the same units you plan to use in your configuration.

    If you want to be in Metric

    Stepper Motor 200 PPR
    Microstepping 10x
    Ballscrew 5mm line movement of ballscrew in one revolution

    1mm = .0393" which is very small

    Russ

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    No, the G203 is 10 ustep only.

    If it's not moving much at 400steps/mm, try lowering the acceleration and velocity to make sure that it's not stalling.
    Also, be sure to close and restart mach3 every time you make changes.
    You may not know this, but you can jog the motor from the motor tuning screen with the up and down arrow keys I think.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  14. #14

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    Ok Gerry, I did not know that one needs to restart Mach after each change in the config.

    Yes, I can move the x and y with the arrow keys. Up and down, left and right.

    Will try restarting after making any changes in Config from now one.

    Best Regards,

    Preston

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    192

    Re: What does the DRO read out in Mach normally, mm or inches?

    I always just measured my movement and then calculated from that. For example, if I set 2000 steps/mm and I programmed in 100 mm movement, and I only measure 92.03 mm movement, then I need to adjust steps/mm thusly 100/92.03 * 2000 = 2173.2 steps/mm. Repeat and fine tune. I might try different areas of the screw and different lengths travel to find the best fit, unless I am going to map the screw and apply a correction.

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