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So my XCarve Controller burnt out and it was recommended that I upgrade to the OpenBuilds Black box. So far so good except my Z axis is only moving 25% of what I ask for. Meaning while testing the step movements, Y & X both moved the 1 inch i asked it too confirming everything is set right. But the Z axis moves .25 of an inch. I have the voltage set all the way up but no change. Any ideas?
The OpenBuilds Black Box product listing states it includes the ability to set microstepping, BUT i don’t see how, maybe it’s within software or maybe it’s a jumper setting like most other controllers, BUT I don’t see these jumpers on the images or videos I’ve found of it.
These micro stepping settings are in increments of 1/2’s So 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32 (the Openbuilds listing says up to 1/32 so I’ll stop there)
Specifically for the Z axis:
The Xcontroller board is set to 1/2 microstepping by default
The OpenBuilds Black box is set to 1/8 microstepping by default
This explains a 4 to 1 variance on movement.
You’ll need to figure out how to adjust the microstepping settings on the Black box and make this change.
Now, Mark could also be correct IF the Steps/mm are off that will cause a similar issue, BUT the old vs new Z axis setting are a 1:3.786 variance not a 1:4 like you’re reporting BUT very close, so close that it could be either of these causing the issue. . .
For this Reason you may also want to verify you have the correct setting for your Z axis AND the correct micro stepping settings.
The old version Z axis grbl setting:
$102 = 188.947
The new version (with linear rails an a top mounted Z stepper) settings:
$102=49.909
Some info at the top about how to get to these settings: