Chapter 5 Calibration
Maslow, Eastbay, Metalmaslow, Makermade Jumpstart kits calibration options with Arduino MEGA:
- V1 sled / home cut or precut
- Triangular (ground control / webcontrol)
– Ring
– Linkage
– Holey
– Optical
WebControl Calibration Steps (all found in the Actions menu):
- Extend Chains and attach / detach sled (YOUTUBE DEMO)
- Quick configure and system measurements for calibration( [YOUTUBE DEMO]
(https://youtu.be/P73KDdrOiKk/)) - Triangular Calibration (YOUTUBE DEMO)
OR
- Holey Calibration upgrade and run (YOUTUBE DEMO)
Makerverse Calibration Process for the Arduino Mega / Due
Video of 1.1.2 with Due Controller
- If your system didn’t automatically start calibration, you can start it by pressing the bullseye button that says calibrate next to it should open and you will see the work space and your system should go immediately to calibration, but it may not. if it is not connected say the second time you open it, to establish connection, if the connect button is blue, click it:
If you see a red close button, then you are connected.
If it does not, then click the bullseye “calibrate” button highlighted above.
- Calibration should look like this:
A. Enter your ring radius
B. Enter your Chain configuration (off bottom for bungee / spring ----- off top for dangling weights)
C. Press NEXT STEP and it will save the values.
D. Enter your stock width (2438.4 is the default. My system is 4’x4’, so different)
E. Enter your stock height
F. Press NEXT STEP
and walk through the details of each step.
Makermade M2 or Arduino Due system calibration with V1 or V2 shield
See Makerverse calibration for the Mega
Chapter 6 Upgrade options
- Hardware (z axis or motors)
– Linear bearing vs rigid base
– Meticulous Z plans / approach / parts list
– Metal sled upgrade (youtube video )
– M2 z axis sled upgrade - software (webcontrol / makerverse)
- electronics (controllers and add-ons)
– automatic spindle/router power
— video
— Pictures and Discussion Post (1, 2)
– M2 or arduino due
– ESP32
– other options - Router Z axis automatic zeroing (faster setup after a bit change).
Appendix A: Troubleshooting
- Resetting Chains (YOUTUBE DEMO) Forum post
- z axis going wrong direction - check z axis pitch in settings. The default is -3.17. If your z axis is going backwards, it could be one of 2 things:
- gcode may be telling the z axis to cut at a positive position. Usually cutting with the z axis is a negative Z value.
- z axis pitch setting may be +3.17 instead of -3.17 or if you have a belt drive, it might need to be +8, +16 ,or +24.
- motors don’t move - check plugs, swap cables. Verify power is plugged into to the shield and NOT the arduino.
- circles are not round - skipped a chain tooth or position is incorrect. 1st: reset chains. 2nd, recalibrate.
Appendix B: History
The original Maslow was offered by @bar on a Kickstarter campaign. The campaign ran October 25 to November 23, 2016. The original kit included motors, chain, a z-axis kit, Arduino, motor shield, plus hardware. The user had to supply their own frame and sled. At the time, the chains were anchored to a fixed point on the sled, although many users subsequently added ring or linkage kits to better align the chain with the router bit.
Subsequent Maslow Offerings
Makermade Offerings
East Bay Offerings
MetalMaslow Offerings
Appendix C: Contributors
Information included in these wiki posts are gathered mostly from within the maslowcnc site and other user experience. Thanks to all forum posters who ask questions and seek clarification on finer details not yet documented. Thanks to forum users who answer the questions.