Servo - December 2016

center of a work piece.

Loading the Code

If you have not done so, go to the Kronos Robotics website and download the test files for this procedure. Using the File menu, load the G-code file labeled “KReduCNC slowtest 10x8.txt.” Once loaded, your Mach3 screen should look like the one shown in Figure 18. To run the G-code, hit the Cycle Start button shown in Figure 19. Your machine should start to move. This particular program is a very small one I wrote that uses the ability of the G-code interpreter to run subroutines. It simply moves to each corner of the machine, raises and lowers the Z axis, then does it all over again forever, until you stop the program by hitting the stop button.

Let this program run for a couple of hours. If your machine is losing steps, eventually one of the axis will start banging against something. If this happens, stop the program, and go back to the appropriate tuning section and repeat the process.

If everything seems okay, you can stop the program and load the G-code file labeled “KReduCNC fasttest 10x8.txt” and run it. This program runs about four times faster. Let it run for a couple of hours as well.

Important!

When running the tests, make sure the wires going to the stepper motors are clear to move without rubbing. The X and Y axis motors are stationary, so they don’t present much of an issue. The Z axis, however, is another matter. It will have a tendency to rub against the upper frame brace. Over time, you could rub the insulation off the wire.

There are a couple ways to prevent this from happening. You can support the wires from overhead, or you can put some sort of sleeve over the wire. Split loom tubing works well for this and is available at most home centers in the electrical section.

Conclusion

This completes the KReduCNC tuning and break-in. Your machine should be able to run smoothly and accurately. Next month, we will get the clamp table built and attached to the machine. SV

14 SERVO 12.2016

A complete bill of materials, as well as additional information can be found on my website at www.kronosrobotics.com/kreducnc. For any questions or comments, please visit the SERVO Magazine forums at http://forum.nutsvolts.com/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=17408.