Help with Tuning EMC2

[blumpie]

I have EMC2 up and running!


However, my test are comming out on a smaller scale.

I beleive it is due to a translation somewhere in the software. I am using 1/4-20 threaded rod to motion my table. I have looked through the software documentation and its hard to follow unless you are a software engineer. Somehow, I need to tel EMC2 that 20 revolutions of the motor = 1 inch.

Thanks in advance!

[samco]

if your using the latest (2.2.1) which you should . There is a utillity now called stepconf. It walks you thru the configuration of stepping style machines.

http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/2.2/htm..._stepconf.html

If you want to do it manually - you need to edit the INI file that your using. There is a section for each axis. within each section there is vel and acc settings (amoung other things) that you need to set. The one your looking for is called 'SCALE' . This is in steps per unit. So if your stepping motor is 200 steps per rev and your have 20 TPI with no gearing - your scale will be 4000 (for an inch machine).

I have not had a chance to use the stepper conf. Others have and really like it.

[blumpie]

Thanks!

I was just checking in to say that I have it figured out. I must have set my dip switches on the controller board upside down. It was set for 1/8 step as opposed to full step.

It works great now when I jog it manually, but it binds allot when I run a simple spiral program. Is it possible that speed settings are in the gcode?

[blumpie]

F = Feed Rate! Got that figured out too!

So far I'm happy with my little prototype. I have a dual motion table. Not sure how I like that, but it was easy to build. I think I like the idea of a stationary gantry. I dont have a Z axis yet.

I need to work out some engineering on my linear motion set up, that could use allot of improvment. Im getting allot of vibration. My x axis binds if I move too fast, i may swap it out with my beafier "Z" motor.

Over all, not bad for a weekends worth of work.

[mike944]

Hey guys, newbie with EMC2. How do i run the Stepconf program? I can't seem to find it in the application menu, and typing "stepconf" in a shell doesn't seem to work either. All the stepconf documentation assumes you already have stepconf running. They don't tell you how to actually start the program.

I've been trying to edit my initilization files manually, but i'm kind of lost.

also, how do i check what version of EMC2 i am running? perhaps i'm running an older version without stepconf? How do i upgrade to the latest?

I've really never used linux before, and i haven't used unix in about 8 years, so i'm very rusty on how to do things in this environment.

Thanks,
Mike

[acondit]

Originally Posted by mike944 Hey guys, newbie with EMC2. How do i run the Stepconf program? I can't seem to find it in the application menu, and typing "stepconf" in a shell doesn't seem to work either. All the stepconf documentation assumes you already have stepconf running. They don't tell you how to actually start the program. I've been trying to edit my initilization files manually, but i'm kind of lost. also, how do i check what version of EMC2 i am running? perhaps i'm running an older version without stepconf? How do i upgrade to the latest? I've really never used linux before, and i haven't used unix in about 8 years, so i'm very rusty on how to do things in this environment. Thanks, Mike

Mike,

Read post #2 in this thread. You need version 2.2.1. If you didn't download your emc2 within the last few weeks you probably have an older version.

I would suggest you start a new thread so we can help you without confusing Blumpie's thread. In that thread tell us a little about your machine so we can know what is going on (type of machine, type of motors, type of drives, BOB, etc. and what in particular that you find confusing).

Alan