lol actually after I posted and got home, I realised what it was AJ. Its the steppers working as intended. What that noise is, is the steppers trying to accelerate up to the feedrate you posted in...it can't go "full speed" on arcs, because one motor is always a lil behind/ahead of the other due to ...

okay, got it set up for the 1/2 step settings. all axis are moving fine, however when I do an arc test (MDI mode, g91g2x2.y2.i2.j0.f30.) I still get an acceleration/deceleration noise, for the whole arc, the noise hitting its apex at the apex of the arc. how can I smooth this out?

actually here's a better idea. A planer guage can be set under the tool. when its just moving under the tool with the slightest bit of friction, set z0.0, remove the guage carefully, and measure it with calipers or micrometers, then set that as your z-offest. another way using the fowler block or 1-...

here's something to help you out: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=308-0391&PMPXNO=12093229&PARTPG=INSRHI this isn't an auto tool setter, but what it does do is when you (SLOWLY) bring the tool down, it will light up when you're within 0.001". then you set Z0.0 and modify your settings in Ma...

I agree with AJ on this, never make the actual table surface Z0.0. AJ's solution of setting Z0.0 off top of part and cutting negatively works very well. If you feel the need to speed things up though and are cutting a large number of the same part(s), Z0 on bottom is faster. If you choose to set thi...

side question mr. crix: what are your settings for your motors on your machine? I cannot get mine to run nearly as quiet as yours (especially on the arcs/diagonal cuts).

I'm quite possibly having a similar issue. The default set up is noisy as hell. All my DP switches are off, and I've got the motor tunning set to 1000/50/30 at the moment. at higher feeds and rapid traverse, its quieter, but for slower feeds it still grinds along quite loudly. Any suggestions for so...

Niiice! congrats on first parts (and successful first parts!) I like seeing that the cosplay community is still rolling things out! Which software did you use to make your g-code? I haven't worked too much with MeshCAM yet (no machine, so no desire to fiddle around with it much), but I do see a lot ...

just joined the boards. I like the design, though I can see a few tricky areas. How is AutoCAD? I've never actually used it, and have heard so many things for and against it that just kind of turns me away.