Calculating "steps per" in Mach3 with Gecko 203V

[millman52]

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

[ger21]

Looks right.

[amen23]

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!

[millman52]

Originally Posted by amen23 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.

[WayneHill]

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

[millman52]

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.

[amen23]

Originally Posted by millman52 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!

[amen23]

Originally Posted by WayneHill 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