Triple stepper Z Axis Hi i am buildn a ultimaker clone, but bigger... Because of the bigger size i wanted to use 3 steppers on the z axis to avoid problems.. I thought if i use the 3 steppers it should be possible to auto calibrate the z axis using a proximity sensor.. I saw there is a options called auto leveling.. The controller i want to use is a ramps 1.4 whit triple stepper expander.. Someone did this or can give me some infos about how to implement it on the controller? What proximity sensor to use? capacitive, inductive or ultrasonic - analog or digital? Thanks https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,712455#msg-712455 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:35:50 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,851242#msg-851242 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,851242#msg-851242 duet3d.dozuki.com].]]> dc42 Mechanics Sun, 14 Apr 2019 12:54:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,851228#msg-851228 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,851228#msg-851228 o5i Mechanics Sun, 14 Apr 2019 11:09:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,777665#msg-777665 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,777665#msg-777665 duet3d.com]. It will be completed before the 1.19 release.]]> dc42 Mechanics Wed, 12 Jul 2017 05:10:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,777551#msg-777551 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,777551#msg-777551
If you can't wait, you can already use it in Repetier firmware (scroll down to "motorized correction"): [www.repetier.com]
You can see it in action here: [www.youtube.com]

Some guys in the German forums use it on RAMPS/Mega2560, but it will also work on some ArduinoDUE-based printer electronics.]]> microfortnight Mechanics Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:16:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775759#msg-775759 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775759#msg-775759 www.duet3d.com]. It's on my list to support it natively in RRF and some of the preparatory code has already been implemented in the latest beta firmware.]]> dc42 Mechanics Sat, 01 Jul 2017 02:38:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775746#msg-775746 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775746#msg-775746 o5i Mechanics Fri, 30 Jun 2017 18:58:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775742#msg-775742 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775742#msg-775742 dc42 Mechanics Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:57:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775648#msg-775648 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,775648#msg-775648 o5i Mechanics Fri, 30 Jun 2017 06:14:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,732084#msg-732084 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,732084#msg-732084 dc42 Mechanics Wed, 21 Dec 2016 03:18:06 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,732056#msg-732056 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,732056#msg-732056
I can't say if this was done on IBM PC floppy drives, but the Apple ][ series determined which was track 0 or 35 by deliberately going enough steps to guarantee it'd get to the limit: in other words, it'd go until it crashed, then it kept beating the read/write head against the limit. While it was crude and made a bit of noise, it worked.]]> JonathanThompson Mechanics Tue, 20 Dec 2016 23:43:30 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,713694#msg-713694 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,713694#msg-713694
Quote
o5i
Hi i am buildn a ultimaker clone, but bigger...
Because of the bigger size i wanted to use 3 steppers on the z axis to avoid problems..
I thought if i use the 3 steppers it should be possible to auto calibrate the z axis using a proximity sensor..
I saw there is a options called auto leveling..

I have exactly this sort of auto levelling on my work list for RepRapFirmware. But it's 32-bit firmware so it doesn't run on RAMPS. If you are going to build a large, expensive printer, I suggest you use good electronics in it anyway instead of budget electronics such as RAMPS.

Quote
o5i
What proximity sensor to use? capacitive, inductive or ultrasonic - analog or digital?

That depends on your print bed surface. Take a look at the differential IR sensor that I sell, which works well with most bed surfaces, although some like PEI need to be prepared in a certain way. See [miscsolutions.wordpress.com].

Quote
deckingman
The biggest problem with multiple steppers on the Z axis is keeping them in sync because when you first power up the machine, they will all jump to the nearest whole step. Some will jump forwards and some will jump backwards so after a number of power cycles, the problem will be exacerbated. For info, my bed weighs around 7Kg and is lifted using 3 screws but with a continuous belt and a single Nema 17 motor with 1:1 gearing.

Actually they jump to the nearest multiple of 4 full steps that matches the phase currents. I'll be adding code to avoid this issue in RepRapFirmware for the Duet WiFi, by detecting power down and moving each motor to one of the correct positions ready for power up. I can do this because the Duet WiFi has two power monitor circuits on board. However, with the planned auto levelling, it won't matter if the motors jump a bit when you cycle power, if you run auto level every time you power on.]]> dc42 Mechanics Thu, 13 Oct 2016 15:04:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,713636#msg-713636 Re: Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,713636#msg-713636 deckingman Mechanics Thu, 13 Oct 2016 09:06:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,712455#msg-712455 Triple stepper Z Axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,712455,712455#msg-712455 Because of the bigger size i wanted to use 3 steppers on the z axis to avoid problems..
I thought if i use the 3 steppers it should be possible to auto calibrate the z axis using a proximity sensor..
I saw there is a options called auto leveling..
The controller i want to use is a ramps 1.4 whit triple stepper expander..
Someone did this or can give me some infos about how to implement it on the controller?
What proximity sensor to use? capacitive, inductive or ultrasonic - analog or digital?
Thanks]]> o5i Mechanics Sat, 08 Oct 2016 07:18:27 -0400