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Movement distance

Hellsbells72

Movement distance
February 25, 2015 09:21PM

Registered: 11 years ago
Posts: 2

I am designing a 3D printer using off the shelf linear actuator tables but I am still in the dark on how the g-code software knows how much to move the linear actuator. Anybody know?

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KingRahl

Re: Movement distance
February 25, 2015 09:34PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 241

The G code only creates coordinates. It's in the firmware on your board that calculates how much movement equals the distance between coordinates.

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Hellsbells72

Re: Movement distance
February 25, 2015 09:35PM

Registered: 11 years ago
Posts: 2

Quote
KingRahl
The G code only creates coordinates. It's in the firmware on your board that calculates how much movement equals the distance between coordinates.

So then the firmware has to be programmed based on the actuator used?

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KingRahl

Re: Movement distance
February 25, 2015 09:40PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 241

Yes. Using stepper motors we have to program how many steps it takes to reach a certain distance. That is the "calibrate" stage in building a printer.

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iamdarkyoshi

Re: Movement distance
February 26, 2015 02:36PM

Registered: 11 years ago
Posts: 98

When i built a new extruder for my 3d printer using a stepper and gear drive from a scanner, I simpley had to change the eeprom settings to a different steps/mm. It basically means "how many steps should I turn this motor to move 1mm?"

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Traumflug

Re: Movement distance
February 27, 2015 06:59AM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 7,616

Quote
Hellsbells72
So then the firmware has to be programmed based on the actuator used?

Conveniently, this setting is named "Steps per mm" :-)

Well, assuming you actually use stepper motors. RepRap firmwares generally don't really support servo motors.

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