Using a spindle on the LongMill
The weight of a spindle can lower the z-axis when cutting. Check the following:
- Ensure the motor coupler is tight on both the leadscrew side and the motor side.
- On the LongMill, ensure the backlash nuts are adjusted correctly.
- In the firmware enable the Z motor to stay energized when stopped. This will prevent the weight of the spindle to pull the Z-axis down when there motion on the Z-axis. There are two ways of enabling this setting.
- When using grbl firmware typically found on the LongBoard controller, change 1 Step idle delay from 100ms to 255ms
Note: this will enable all motors and they may get hot during operation
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- grblHAL firmware has the option to enable specific motors. This prevents the other motors from over heating during cutting. Enable the Z axis at 37 Steppers deenergize
In the console or diagnostic report, the numerical value will be
$37=4
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