Axis calibration wizard can be used to calibrate axis where the calibration values of the mechanical setup are unknown or hard to calculate axis. This may be due to multiple ratios on the axis such as timing belts and rack & pinion designs.

WARNING: Ensure that your axis are moving in the correct directions before calibrating your machine. For additional information on Axis Direction of travel see HERE

INFORMATION: If your Axis maximum and minimum travel is set too small you may not be able to travel the required distance for calibration. In this case change your maximum and minimum travel distances to very large numbers while doing your calibration to ensure you do not reach the limits. eg Set  Minimum travel -10000 and the Maximum travel 10000 before you start and only set the final travel values after you have set up homing of if you have a tool changer after the tool changer settings are complete..

Open the wizard by clicking the "Wizard" button

Calibration steps

INFORMATION: For best results, move the axis from one extreme of the axis to the other extreme during calibration, the longer the distance measured during calibration the more accurate the calibration will be.

INFORMATION: Before starting axis calibration ensure that backlash is turned off.

Step 1 Mark the starting point

Ensure that Backlash is turned off by setting the backlash value to 0.

Go into the F3 Screen and Jog the axis that you wish to calibrate to one end of the axis travel and mark the starting point. This could be as simple as putting a sharp Vbit into your spindle and marking an X under the cutter to show the starting point. Ensure that when you move to the starting point you jog in the same direction of travel that you will be moving in to the end point. This will remove backlash from the axis under test..

INFORMATION: The easiest way to do this is to use a piece on masking tape with an X already marked on it and slide it under the cutter point.

Step 2 Zero the Axis

Return to the F1 Screen and click the "Zero" button on the calibration Wizard screen.

The button will change to read "Zero Set"

Step 3 Move to the end point

Go to the F3 screen and jog to the the other end of the chosen axis. Mark the endpoint with another X

The longer the distance moved for your calibration the more accurate the final result will be.

Step 4 Measure

Using a ruler measure the distance between the starting X and the end X.

Enter the measured distance the axis moved into box on the calibration wizard.

Step 5 Complete Calibration

Press the "Complete Calibration" button on the calibration wizard and the new distance per revolution value will be written into Axis settings page.

Press the Save on the Axis settings page to complete the axis calibration.

While a ruler will give good results with the X & Y axis the use of a dial indicator is recommended for axis such as the Z axis where the amount of axis movement is small.

Do not use the calibration wizard on a rotary axis. The most accurate setting for a rotary axis is obtained through calculation.