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Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
- Mother Canucker
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27 Apr 2025 00:55 #327114
by Mother Canucker
Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance. was created by Mother Canucker
I have spent quite a while trying to get one of our older CNC's to run again. I had a lot of issues with getting the gantry properly setup and I heard that 2.9.4 has support for tandem motor pin outs so I downloaded it and I have managed to get the gantry to move. The problem is that if i'm in the test axis in stepconf only 1 motor moves and in the actual jog interface the motors are separate joints so if I jog the gantry then I have to jog joint 1 and then joint 2 instead of pressing one button. As a result I move it incredibly slowly to avoid skewing it as much as possible. I would imagine I did something wrong or that their is some way to combine the two joints too run at the same time? would I need to do this in the HAL or INI files?. My other question is about how i'm supposed to setup the limits because I have just been setting up as: both limit X, both limit Y, and the same for the other two motors. I did get an error about limits on one of the Y's but it didn't say much other than something along the lines of "Error limits Joint 2"
www.probotix.com/CNC-ROUTERS/CNC-ROUTER-GX2525 Here is the machine (It only says Comet on it but I am very sure this the same one)
www.probotix.com/wiki/index.php/Unity_Controller Here is the controller its using as the old one had some fried chips that couldn't be replaced. It also has the pin outs where I got the limits from.
Sorry if I it's something obvious because I really haven't used linuxCNC ever before (Also disclaimer: I haven't set the latency test right yet because I only got it working in a test setup yesterday and I didn't have time for it but I know I need to do it)
www.probotix.com/CNC-ROUTERS/CNC-ROUTER-GX2525 Here is the machine (It only says Comet on it but I am very sure this the same one)
www.probotix.com/wiki/index.php/Unity_Controller Here is the controller its using as the old one had some fried chips that couldn't be replaced. It also has the pin outs where I got the limits from.
Sorry if I it's something obvious because I really haven't used linuxCNC ever before (Also disclaimer: I haven't set the latency test right yet because I only got it working in a test setup yesterday and I didn't have time for it but I know I need to do it)
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- tommylight
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27 Apr 2025 01:10 #327117
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
Does the machine have two motors and two drives for the gantry?
Does it also have at least one limit switch on each side? If not, do not bother with setting tandem joints, it does not work without a switch for each side.
Need an answer before i go off typing all the possibilities...
Does it also have at least one limit switch on each side? If not, do not bother with setting tandem joints, it does not work without a switch for each side.
Need an answer before i go off typing all the possibilities...

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- Mother Canucker
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27 Apr 2025 01:15 #327118
by Mother Canucker
Replied by Mother Canucker on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
Well it has 2 motors and the web page mentions that it needs limits/homing switches because of the tandem setup. Each motor for the gantry also has its own cable and port. I am assuming thats what drives are.
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27 Apr 2025 01:42 #327120
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
All good, but does it have switches on each side?
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- Mother Canucker
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27 Apr 2025 01:53 #327121
by Mother Canucker
Replied by Mother Canucker on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
I would imagine that it does. All the documentation suggests so and from what i can see on the other side (Its right up against a wall) It looks the same on both sides so I would wager it has them on both. So im going with yes on that.
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- rodw
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27 Apr 2025 02:08 #327123
by rodw
Replied by rodw on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
Read the online documentation for V 2.9 for "homing configuration" (Several times)
the HOME_SEQUENCE parameter for each side of the gantry must be the same and it must be negative to tell Linuxcnc to treat it as a joint axis.
the HOME_SEQUENCE parameter for each side of the gantry must be the same and it must be negative to tell Linuxcnc to treat it as a joint axis.
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29 Apr 2025 02:23 #327259
by Mother Canucker
Replied by Mother Canucker on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
Ok so what im getting is that if two joints have a HOME_SEQUENCE = -1 then that tells the two motors to run together right?
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29 Apr 2025 02:36 #327260
by Mother Canucker
Replied by Mother Canucker on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
I did do what RodW said to do and from that I figured to add "HOME_SEQUENCE = -1" to the two Y motors. would there be anything else I need to add in the INI files?
Also I don't know if you want to take a look but if you do here it is
# Generated by stepconf 1.1 at Fri Apr 25 14:44:59 2025
# If you make changes to this file, they will be
# overwritten when you run stepconf again
[EMC]
MACHINE = 22222222222222
DEBUG = 0
VERSION = 1.1
[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = gmoccapy
EDITOR = gedit
POSITION_OFFSET = RELATIVE
POSITION_FEEDBACK = ACTUAL
ARCDIVISION = 64
GRIDS = 10mm 20mm 50mm 100mm 1in 2in 5in 10in
MAX_FEED_OVERRIDE = 1.2
MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 0.5
MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 1.2
DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0.10
MIN_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0
MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 1.00
CYCLE_TIME = 0.100
INTRO_GRAPHIC = linuxcnc.gif
INTRO_TIME = 5
PROGRAM_PREFIX = /home/probotix/linuxcnc/nc_files
INCREMENTS = .1in .05in .01in .005in .001in .0005in .0001in
[KINS]
JOINTS = 4
KINEMATICS = trivkins coordinates=XYYZ kinstype=BOTH
[FILTER]
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .png,.gif,.jpg Greyscale Depth Image
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .py Python Script
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .nc,.tap G-Code File
png = image-to-gcode
gif = image-to-gcode
jpg = image-to-gcode
py = python
[TASK]
TASK = milltask
CYCLE_TIME = 0.010
[RS274NGC]
PARAMETER_FILE = linuxcnc.var
[EMCMOT]
EMCMOT = motmod
COMM_TIMEOUT = 1.0
BASE_PERIOD = 100000
SERVO_PERIOD = 1000000
[HAL]
HALFILE = 22222222222222.hal
HALFILE = custom.hal
POSTGUI_HALFILE = postgui_call_list.hal
[TRAJ]
COORDINATES = X Y Y Z
LINEAR_UNITS = inch
ANGULAR_UNITS = degree
DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0.10
MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 1.00
[EMCIO]
EMCIO = io
CYCLE_TIME = 0.100
TOOL_TABLE = tool.tbl
#*** AXIS_X *******************************
[AXIS_X]
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
[JOINT_0]
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 37.5
SCALE = 8000.0
FERROR = 0.05
MIN_FERROR = 0.01
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
#******************************************
#*** AXIS_Y *******************************
[AXIS_Y]
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
[JOINT_1]
HOME_SEQUENCE = -1
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 12.5
SCALE = 4000.0
FERROR = 0.05
MIN_FERROR = 0.01
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
[JOINT_2]
HOME_SEQUENCE = -1
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 12.5
SCALE = 4000.0
FERROR = 0.05
MIN_FERROR = 0.01
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
#******************************************
#*** AXIS_Z *******************************
[AXIS_Z]
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
MIN_LIMIT = -4.0
MAX_LIMIT = 0.01
[JOINT_3]
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -4.0
MAX_LIMIT = 0.01
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 37.5
SCALE = 8000.0
FERROR = 1
MIN_FERROR = .25
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
#******************************************
Also I don't know if you want to take a look but if you do here it is
# Generated by stepconf 1.1 at Fri Apr 25 14:44:59 2025
# If you make changes to this file, they will be
# overwritten when you run stepconf again
[EMC]
MACHINE = 22222222222222
DEBUG = 0
VERSION = 1.1
[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = gmoccapy
EDITOR = gedit
POSITION_OFFSET = RELATIVE
POSITION_FEEDBACK = ACTUAL
ARCDIVISION = 64
GRIDS = 10mm 20mm 50mm 100mm 1in 2in 5in 10in
MAX_FEED_OVERRIDE = 1.2
MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 0.5
MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE = 1.2
DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0.10
MIN_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0
MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 1.00
CYCLE_TIME = 0.100
INTRO_GRAPHIC = linuxcnc.gif
INTRO_TIME = 5
PROGRAM_PREFIX = /home/probotix/linuxcnc/nc_files
INCREMENTS = .1in .05in .01in .005in .001in .0005in .0001in
[KINS]
JOINTS = 4
KINEMATICS = trivkins coordinates=XYYZ kinstype=BOTH
[FILTER]
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .png,.gif,.jpg Greyscale Depth Image
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .py Python Script
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .nc,.tap G-Code File
png = image-to-gcode
gif = image-to-gcode
jpg = image-to-gcode
py = python
[TASK]
TASK = milltask
CYCLE_TIME = 0.010
[RS274NGC]
PARAMETER_FILE = linuxcnc.var
[EMCMOT]
EMCMOT = motmod
COMM_TIMEOUT = 1.0
BASE_PERIOD = 100000
SERVO_PERIOD = 1000000
[HAL]
HALFILE = 22222222222222.hal
HALFILE = custom.hal
POSTGUI_HALFILE = postgui_call_list.hal
[TRAJ]
COORDINATES = X Y Y Z
LINEAR_UNITS = inch
ANGULAR_UNITS = degree
DEFAULT_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 0.10
MAX_LINEAR_VELOCITY = 1.00
[EMCIO]
EMCIO = io
CYCLE_TIME = 0.100
TOOL_TABLE = tool.tbl
#*** AXIS_X *******************************
[AXIS_X]
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
[JOINT_0]
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 37.5
SCALE = 8000.0
FERROR = 0.05
MIN_FERROR = 0.01
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
#******************************************
#*** AXIS_Y *******************************
[AXIS_Y]
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
[JOINT_1]
HOME_SEQUENCE = -1
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 12.5
SCALE = 4000.0
FERROR = 0.05
MIN_FERROR = 0.01
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
[JOINT_2]
HOME_SEQUENCE = -1
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -0.01
MAX_LIMIT = 8.0
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 12.5
SCALE = 4000.0
FERROR = 0.05
MIN_FERROR = 0.01
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
#******************************************
#*** AXIS_Z *******************************
[AXIS_Z]
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
MIN_LIMIT = -4.0
MAX_LIMIT = 0.01
[JOINT_3]
TYPE = LINEAR
HOME = 0.0
MIN_LIMIT = -4.0
MAX_LIMIT = 0.01
MAX_VELOCITY = 1.0
MAX_ACCELERATION = 30.0
STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 37.5
SCALE = 8000.0
FERROR = 1
MIN_FERROR = .25
HOME_OFFSET = 0.0
#******************************************
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- tommylight
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29 Apr 2025 02:36 - 29 Apr 2025 02:39 #327261
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
Rod, why?
He did not confirm that the machine has switches on both sides yet, so why send him that way, he will end up with a mangled machine.
Then again, i wonder why is it not possible to answer such a simple question...
Again, do not set -1 to anything if you are not sure the machine has switches on both sides of the gantry and that those switches are properly wired, configured, and working.
EDIT:
You posted while i was answering, there are no home stuff set in that ini file.
He did not confirm that the machine has switches on both sides yet, so why send him that way, he will end up with a mangled machine.
Then again, i wonder why is it not possible to answer such a simple question...
Again, do not set -1 to anything if you are not sure the machine has switches on both sides of the gantry and that those switches are properly wired, configured, and working.
EDIT:
You posted while i was answering, there are no home stuff set in that ini file.
Last edit: 29 Apr 2025 02:39 by tommylight.
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- Mother Canucker
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29 Apr 2025 02:49 #327262
by Mother Canucker
Replied by Mother Canucker on topic Tandem Y Axis in stepconf assistance.
Well I'm quite sure it has 2 limits on the gantry. I will check tomorrow and I will check if they work tomorrow. sorry for the confusion here I Rod just said read through the configuration manual.
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