Setting the X and Y Axis Square

Changing the home sensors on my CNC Router requires to set the X and Y axis square again. For this process I am using a known standard a calibration square. First I align one side of the square with the Y-Axis of my machine using a dial indicator. Next I check the X-Axis against the other side of the square and change the home position on one side of the gantry until I get a minimal acceptable deviation.
Re-homing the machine again and making a new measurement shows me that the new Panasonic optical sensors are a great improvement for my machine.

[@adrianharrison5208]

I could spend hours going through this channel finding information that I have been trying to find answers for a long time.. awesome channel and a huge help for people like me who are just learning

[@JBWorx]

I am glad that you find it useful makes me happy.

[@sto2779]

Not hours, more like weeks to months to find correct comprehendible information. Crucial fundamentals concepts in aligning CNC.

[@JBWorx]

👍

[@PiefacePete46]

I am a sad puppy... having found your channel, I have "binge-watched" all your videos, and now I am all up to date! Sniff-sniff.😢🥴 I know... I can go back and watch them all again!👍😃 Seriously, thanks for your efforts. The "KZbin algorithm" is a strange beast; I have watched every video I can find on this topic for a few years now, and suddenly it realises I might be interested in yours... Amazing! Subscribed, and "Liked" them all... hanging out for your future offerings.

[@JBWorx]

John, thank you so much for your feedback. I am making a new fixture plate at the moment and a modular vice. The plate video is almost finished. But you are correct the algorithm is strange there are many channels out there with less videos, same age but triple the amount of subscribers. Usually I don’t ask people to subscribe I think if one sees value & entertainment than they will subscribe. Thanks again you put a smile in my face and that keeps me going to make more contend.

[@gerritvisser]

I recently did my x and y, with feeler gauges and then shim stock But similar process. Thank you for the clarity.

[@JBWorx]

Thank you for your comment Gerrit. Yes sometimes things need to be set straight and square using shim stock no way around it.

[@josephjones4293]

Not sure this one hwlps me in my project much. But i want to see more content so i watched to the end and liked and commented…

[@JBWorx]

Thank you Joseph!!! So what in particular will help you ? Maybe you have a direction for another video that I can make that I have not thought of.

[@saeedkamali2032]

Thanks for sharing the method where due diligence was evident And the problem that is proposed is that in some machines , even large companies, a controller is used without the ability to adjust the two transverse and longitudinal axes of the machine (dsp controller) and this controller is widely used on wood CNC machines, and whether Is this feature not necessary in wood cnc? And the opinion of the engineers regarding the bending of the two transverse and longitudinal axes is sufficient for mechanical accuracy! And with these interpretations, I also want to use a Chinese controller from the company (digital dream) with the name (dm500) on my cnc, which has the same capabilities as the widely used controller (dsp), according to your valuable experiences, is it possible to use such a controller for machining? Is there enough for wood cnc machine or not?

[@JBWorx]

Hello Saaed, I have no experience with the DM500 controller. However I downloaded the user manual and read it. So it looks like it offers all basic functions and enough inputs also for separate home switches. However if you are a beginner my recommendation is to buy a system that you can find support for. This can be through online forums, tutorials on KZbin or maybe a mentor. Do NOT buy a system that you can find only little information on. If you run into a problem you might not get an answer and get frustrated and disappointed. In regards to the software allowing to adjust for setting the gantry square, if this is not available you can physically move the home position switch to get it to square. It’s a bit more challenging but possible.

[@saeedkamali2032]

@@JBWorx Thank you for your efforts to help me and advise me about the problems that may become a problem in the future. The company (digital dream) has a group on Facebook and users exchange opinions about the problems of their products and (dm500) is similar to the second generation product of this company and this product will no longer be supported in terms of software, unfortunately! And in 2022, the fourth generation product was introduced, which seems to be a complete product in every respect (ddcs v4.1). Of course, it does not have a complete forum like (mach3) and it will definitely be difficult to find answers to questions about any problem in many issues. But without the need of a computer, the controller is definitely an advantage of these products

[@JBWorx]

Not using a computer is a good advantage. PC driven systems can be problematic. Also have a look at the Masso G3 controller. It’s a company in Australia that has advanced nicely and offers world wide delivery through DHL however it’s a bit pricy. Good luck for your project.

[@sto2779]

Excellent explanation. Is it possible you can make a video on how to properly align and mount linear HiWin rails for x, y and z? thanks.

[@JBWorx]

Great suggestion! I plan on upgrading my gantry … I will include that step in that video.

[@sto2779]

@@JBWorx Thank You. I will use your video to make a CNC.

[@JBWorx]

👍

[@slicktires2011]

So basically you're correcting the axis by telling the software to compensate? Can you use this to compensate for the bow you detected in the Y axis? This would be equivalent to " scrapping the ways " in manual machines

[@JBWorx]

Yes that is also possible via the software. I used to work for a cnc machine manufacturer and we always had to calibrate the axis this way (ok we used a laser ) Nothing is really straight especially on larger machines.

[@chrisf8584]

@@JBWorx Uh... I don't know why I never though of calibrating through the software for that last bit. I feel like an idiot but you don't know what you don't know. Will you do a video on the calibration of the Y bow? I'm guessing nothing could be done for X in software since it is only driven by one motor.

[@JBWorx]

Hey I am still learning as well. Yes x can also be corrected. So let’s say you sit at y10 and x0 now you move x to 100mm and measure against a straight edge. The dial indicator moves 0.02mm for example. The software will move the y axis -0.02mm at x100 (so y is now 9.98) to compensate for the bow in the x axis. Cool stuff 😎

[@xyzspec82]

Hi, which software are you running?

[@JBWorx]

I am using EdingCNC from Europe. Really happy with it.

[@petterlund4806]

Hello, Could you pleas provide a link where you bought the dial indicator and the calibration square?

[@JBWorx]

The dial indicator I use is quite old and this version is no longer available. But have a look at Mitutoyo Absolute Digimatic indicator on Amazon it’s around $160 and a good value I think. The square I got from Shares they carry different versions have a look at the 10x6x1 or bigger if your machine needs it.

[@silverdog63]

What software are you using? I can recognize it. Thanks

[@JBWorx]

The controller and the software is from EdingCNC. I can really recommend it it is very nice.

[@silverdog63]

@@JBWorx thank you

[@JBWorx]

You bet

[@kurtbilinski1723]

At first I thought that I could use the sides of a granite surface plate instead of using a triangle, but no. A surface plate is only guaranteed to have a flat top - it may not even be level, but it will be flat. There is also no guaranty that the sides are 90 degrees to each other. I ended up grudgingly buying a granite triangle because it's the only way to have a known-accurate 90-deg reference surface.

[@JBWorx]

Yes, I felt the same way when I purchased mine l😂. However it’s the only way to get things lined up with accuracy that will also make metal parts fit together well.

[@makerdude]

Is anyone interested in buying a self squaring add-on for machines that use dm542t stepper drivers?

[@JBWorx]

My guess is this is useful as an add on if the controller software cannot do it.

[@muhammadshah7349]

What if we dont have holes in the table

[@JBWorx]

You don’t need holes in the table to square your gantry. I simply used them as a reference to get faster aligned to the y-axis. You will just have to guess if it is aligned and then measure and tram the square until it is parallel to the y-axis (in my case). Hope this makes sense.

[@donepearce]

Make a couple of small holes by moving just the Y-axis. Put dowels in these, and they will be precisely on the Y-axis. Now the square will tell you exactly what you need to know. On my machine it will tell me that I need to get busy with an Allen key and a gentle tapping hammer.

[@jimlahey5354]

Haha I thought this video was about mechanically squaring. Didn't know there was such thing as software squaring. I wonder if this is possible in Linuxcnc.

[@JBWorx]

Thanks for your comment Jim, yes it is possible there is a Home_Offset value that you can apply.

[@siukcnc]

I found the Z axis was always the biggest pain to square, I ended up machining making a cambolt to micro adjust and make life easier: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooOpkoarnJl6mNk

[@JBWorx]

Good idea 👍 I just loosen 3 of the 4 mounting screws and use one as a rotation point and then a plastic hammer and tap it into place. Works well. However for for- and aft tilt so in my case in y-direction is always shimmed and that is a pain.