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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1260

    Calculating "steps per" in Mach3 with Gecko 203V

    Trying to tune motors in Mach.

    I have CandCNC's PlazPak1A with G203V Gecko's

    200 steps/rev.
    I have 4:1 reductions.
    pinions move axis 2.355" / rev.

    I didn't know how the CandCNC kit was set up (microstepping) so I asked :

    --- In CandCNCSupport@***********.com, "millman_52" <millman_52@...>
    wrote:
    >
    > For calculating steps for entry in "motor tuning" in Mach.
    >
    > Is my Plaz Pak set up standard with no microstepping as supplied from
    > candcnc?
    >
    We use Gecko drives exclusively. All Gecko steppers are X10
    microstepping for any calculation.

    so is the following correct?

    200 X 4 = 800

    800 X 10 = 8000

    1 / 2.355 = 0.4246.........

    8000 X .4246..... = 3397.03

    so I would plug in 3397 in : Confi / Motor Tuning / Steps Per
    If it works.....Don't fix it!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Looks right.
    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
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    22
    I also dont have a clue how to configure my motor ect ....

    I got a 1600 driver --- 200 step motors

    15 tooth timing pulley attached to the motor connected to a 45 tooth timing pulley (3 :1 reduction i guess). the 45 tooth is attached to a shaft which has a 32 tooth timing pulley on a belt with a 5mm pitch ..... i read the mach2 setup and it still aint making sence ..please help!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1260
    Quote Originally Posted by amen23 View Post
    I also dont have a clue how to configure my motor ect ....

    I got a 1600 driver --- 200 step motors

    15 tooth timing pulley attached to the motor connected to a 45 tooth timing pulley (3 :1 reduction i guess). the 45 tooth is attached to a shaft which has a 32 tooth timing pulley on a belt with a 5mm pitch ..... i read the mach2 setup and it still aint making sence ..please help!
    by 1600 driver do you mean you have a driver running in 1/16 microstepping mode?

    unfortunately your 32 tooth pulley driving your belt is just about going to cancel out your 3:1 reduction. If I am reading your post correctly 1 turn of your reduction shaft is going to move your axis 160MM. Is this corrcet?


    Once I am clear I can help you calculate your steps per. for Mach.
    If it works.....Don't fix it!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    761

    How I do it:

    Set a starting number in the units per value like 2000

    Clamp a digital caliper on to the axis and set to zero.

    Move the axis one inch and write down the results of the digital caliper movement. Let say it moved .950 .

    Take the programmed value and divide it by the actual movment value. Multiply that value times the units per value to get your new units per value.

    (1.000/.950) * 2000 = 2105.26

    (Programmed/Actual) * Old Units Per = New Unit Per

    No silly gear head math required. But, it's good to know the gear head math if you really want to learn
    Wayne Hill

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1260
    I agree Wayne. I took the time to make very precise calculations on the reductions, gear teeth etc. The reality was once I had my table moving, I still had to do exactly as you state. Take a precise measurment at the table & found that I was off still by several thousandths. Adjusted steps per till I had it dead on. Then I double checked over a long run on my X axis. Wrote in a 1 line Gcode to move the X 10' It moved 10' exactly. At least as good as one could measure with a tape rule.
    If it works.....Don't fix it!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    22

    Quote Originally Posted by millman52 View Post
    by 1600 driver do you mean you have a driver running in 1/16 microstepping mode?

    unfortunately your 32 tooth pulley driving your belt is just about going to cancel out your 3:1 reduction. If I am reading your post correctly 1 turn of your reduction shaft is going to move your axis 160MM. Is this corrcet?


    Once I am clear I can help you calculate your steps per. for Mach.
    yes millman --you hit the nail on the head.....the smallest i could go on the belt was a 32 tooth -- i wanted smaller but i settled ....to sum up...

    1 revolution on the stepper motor should translate to 53.33mm
    (Permanent 1/8 microstepping on all 4 axis', that's 1600 steps per revolution-)

    53.33/1600 = 0.03331 ---- which is close enought for a wood working cnc.

    Ger1 sent me a private message last night explaining Mach 3 ---''set steps per unit '' on the settings tab .......learn something new every day --havent tried it yet but would like to back it up with some calculations!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    22
    Quote Originally Posted by WayneHill View Post
    Set a starting number in the units per value like 2000

    Clamp a digital caliper on to the axis and set to zero.

    Move the axis one inch and write down the results of the digital caliper movement. Let say it moved .950 .

    Take the programmed value and divide it by the actual movment value. Multiply that value times the units per value to get your new units per value.

    (1.000/.950) * 2000 = 2105.26

    (Programmed/Actual) * Old Units Per = New Unit Per

    No silly gear head math required. But, it's good to know the gear head math if you really want to learn
    cheers wayne and millman ---- see my last post

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