Please help with Nema 23 closed loop CL57T-V41 driver Microstep Switches

Hi,

I am trying to understand the Nema 23 closed loop CL57T driver. I have zero knowledge of CNC and stepper motors. I am learning with the objective of building my own CNC.

The manual for the driver: www.omc-stepperonline.com/download/CL57T_V4.0.pdf

The factory setting for the Microstep Switches are:

SW1 = ON, SW2 = OFF, SW3 = ON, SW4 = ON

This "Microstep 8" factory setting requires 1600 pulses per revolution. In my Python program, if I send in 1600 pulses the motor makes one revolution: I just observed that by eyes only.

When I set the switches to "Microstep 1": SW1 = ON, SW2 = ON, SW3 = ON, SW4 = ON

Then I send in 200 pulses and the motor makes one revolution: but it runs very fast compared to "Microstep 8".

I understand the relationship between switches and pulses. PLEASE HELP WITH THE QUESTIONS:

- When we use this motor and this driver with LinuxCNC, how do we set the Microstep Switches?

- Must all drivers' Microstep Switches be set the same?

Please pardon me if the questions are ignorant, all I have currently is LinuxCNC installed for Raspberry Pi 4B. I don't have any other relevant hardware, so I can't try anything yet. I am just trying to understand the basics.

I've attempted some settings, I have a video showing the speed at different pulses:



Thank you and best regards,

...behai.

  Well first off welcome to the wonderful world of CNC. Firstly I recommend you read through the Linuxcnc manual, that will get you
going in the right direction. I don't have direct experience with using Raspberry Pi and Linuxcnc. I usually use the Dell Optiplex 9020
and MESA boards
however I recommend using 8 micro steps for most installs. That said you can run the full gamut from full step to 200 micro step
if your driver is rated to handle it.
  Next NO you don't have to run the exact same step setting on all drivers. You could use a belt
drive for one axis, for example a Y axis at say 100 micro steps and a ball screw axis, again for example X axis at say 8 micro step.
At that point you change your step counts in you ini. file accordingly or in your software wizard either Pncconf or Stepconf.
That way you should have accurate calibrated movements on your axis.
  You will have a lot of questions along the way everyone does, so don't get discouraged by it. I would recommend you run a few
simulated setups and play with the system to see how things work before you do your build.
  Lastly keep your build as simple as possible an gradually add in more complexity later if you so desire. It helps keep the
overwhelm from getting to you. I hope this helps and good luck with your CNC endeavors.

Good evening @ my1987toyota,  Thank you for your valuable advice, I understand your explanation on the X and the Y axis. I can picture that in my head.

This Nema 23 motor and the associated driver is only hardware I have, I bought just a single one so can be familiar with the wiring and how stepper motor works.

Originally, I was thinking of Mach3, whereby I can use a cheap, around $AUD 20.00 BOB, and readily available. But LinuxCNC looks more appealing even though it is a bit more involved. I have seen videos where they run motors and spindle with LinuxCNC without any mechanical parts. I would like to take this path as well, once I understand the electronics, I will think about getting the mechanical parts.

I will heed advice and will be reading the LinuxCNC manual I have seen videos on it but I have not done a lot of reading yet.

Thank you and best regards,

...behai.

 

Find a used PC with a parallel port, install LinuxCNC from the downloads page, play with it, it can run with no machine in Sim mode, it can controll stepper drives directly from parallel port just mind the wiring, attach some LEds to parallel port so you can see what the pins are doing when you press buttons, etc, etc.

Good morning tommylight, Thank you for your suggestion. I appreciate it.

Best regards,

...behai.

Good morning, it is 1:47AM here.