Single Step/Half Step Question

[Hawkeye]

I am obviously new to all of this CNC stuff. I think I have a solid design for my table (it will be a 24"x36" with an actuall cutting table of 18"x18"), I have my stepper motors, Finally fininshing my controller board...so on and so forth. My question is, On my controller board there for jumpers for Single Step and Half Step, What is the difference, and would this be something that I would want to be able to control (switches) on the outside of my controller case.

Thanks For Your Help,
George

[balsaman]

set the jumpers and leave them. Try them both to see what you like better. Half step will make your motors make a half step per pulse from your computer. ie. 200 step motor = 400 steps.

Eric

[limbo]

Most steppers are 200 steps per revolution. This means that your PC will output 200 pulses for every revolution. When the controller is set at halfstep it will effectively double the amount of possible positions in your stepper and create 400 steps for a revolution. The advantage is that the distance for each individual step is smaller, causing the motor to run quiter and with less resonances. Only if you have a very slow PC and very fast steppers you would need to use fullstep to get max. speed but normally the PC can output steprates far beyond what your steppers can keep up with. You don't need the switches outside the cabinet. Just set it to halfstep and if your PC is fast enough you'll never need to touch it again.

greetings
John

[limbo]

balsaman types faster than I do..

[Hawkeye]

Ahhhh !!! (The light comes on).
Thanks guys for the endless knowledge that you share.

George