Skipping steps

[tom10122]

Some times my y-axis skips steps, I use EMC2 with the 4-axis board, H-1 . It doesn't happen constantly , and only at higher speeds so far (6000mm/ min) But I feel I should be able to go faster and not have them skip steps. It only does it on prints sometimes and only enough to start printing the object off center, For example if I print a pillar, It will be halfway through, skip steps then continue on the pillar but the second half will be in a different half , say shifted over 2-3mm. Just enough to screw up my prints. I was thinking maybe baud rate but I thought I tuned that pretty well, computer is running Linux, quad core AMD processor with a foxconn mother board.

[mhackney]

Did you do the mods on your 4 axis board? This is a known symptom of un-moded boards.

The other option is a slipping belt. 2-3 mm sounds like 1 tooth. Make sure all of your idlers are, well, idling! And that the belt is taught enough. I'd wager a loose belt since it is only happening on 1 axis.

[tom10122]

Thanks, I'll try tightening it I have the hose clamp mod but it may need to be adjusted.

[mhackney]

Don't overlook the idlers not turning freely. I had the problem way back when and it caused skipping like you describe.

[tom10122]

I did my Idlers a while ago, I have sharpie marks on them to make sure they work