[osmanager]

I recently made my machine and am a complete novice. It is a home built steel frame CNC router with a working area of 600 x 400. Using Win10, UGS and GRBL on Arduino.
Up to now I have been ok with its accuracy as I have just been doing some v-carving for myself and not much else.
However I recently fitted a laser to my CNC router and could visibly see what I think is backlash. As shown in the picture below especially on X Axis

So I did some tests. Not having a dial meter I rigged up my digital calipers to record my findings. (Not great but it will do for now)

Ignoring the fact that I've still got some work to do on my measurements these where the results I got -
The process I used was to clamp the jig to table and the caliper to the end of the spindle set the calipers Zero and
Then I moved the gantry 10mm and then returned to zero. These where my results.

Command	Result on Calipers
Y10	9.24mm
Y0	0.11mm
Reset Calipers to Zero
Y10	9.13mm
Y0	0.00mm
X10	9.99mm
X0	0.96mm
X10	10.01mm
X0	0.99mm
X10	10.00mm
X0	1.00mm
Reset Calipers to Zero
X10	9.10mm
X0	0.11mm
X10	9.10mm
X20	19.23mm
X0	0.17mm

So it looks like Y Axis has 0.11mm backlash and X has 0.99 - Is that right?

Second question - How can I reduce the backlash specifically on the X Axis?
Here are 2 pictures of the belt setup I am using -

(This is a very low budget machine )

I use UGS and GRBL - There are no backlash settings in these that I am aware of.

Is there a free Windows 10 compatible GCode sender that includes a backlash setting?

My idea is once I can get better accuracy I will do the time honored thing of getting my machine to cut the parts for its replacement!

Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.

[bostosh]

" This is a very low budget machine "

There is no real fix, backlash is mandatory and necessary.
It is the gap between drive screw and the stationary nut accuracy.

Brand new manual machines include backlash
Bolts and nuts have "clearance"

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
some CNC solutions like Mach have a 'backlash setting' but there is NO real software solution to backlash.
Preloaded ballscrews have zero backlash and that is what makes them so popular with CNCers.

Craig