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Introduction to Machine Calibration

Calibration is the bridge between a working machine and an accurate machine.

Just because your motors move doesn't mean your machine is ready to cut parts. Calibration ensures that when you tell the machine to move 100mm, it moves exactly 100mm, accelerates smoothly without losing steps, and homes to a reliable repeatable position.

The Pillars of Calibration​

We will guide you through the three critical phases of machine setup:

1. Physical Calibration (Accuracy)​

This ensures your machine's physical movement matches the digital commands.

  • Steps per mm: syncing motor rotation to linear travel
  • Squareness: ensuring X and Y axes are perfectly perpendicular

2. Motion Tuning (Performance)​

This balances speed with reliability.

  • Max Rate: how fast the machine can travel
  • Acceleration: how quickly it speeds up and slows down
  • Junction Deviation: how it handles corners

3. Homing & Limits (Safety & Repeatability)​

This gives your machine spatial awareness.

  • Homing Cycle: establishing a machine zero
  • Soft Limits: preventing crashes by defining software boundaries
  • Hard Limits: using physical switches for emergency stops

Prerequisites​

Before starting calibration, ensure:

  1. Mechanical Assembly is Complete: Belts are tight, screws are secure, and V-wheels/rails are adjusted properly.
  2. Electronics are Functional: Motors move in the correct direction (as verified in First Connection).
  3. Measuring Tools are Ready: You will need:
    • A reliable ruler or tape measure (for coarse calibration)
    • A dial indicator or digital calipers (for precision tuning)
    • A scrap piece of material for test cuts
Accuracy vs. Precision

Accuracy is hitting the target. Precision is hitting the same spot every time.

  • You tune Steps per mm for Accuracy.
  • You tune mechanical rigidity and backlash for Precision.

Follow these guides in order for the best results:

  1. Calibrating Steps per Unit - Do this first!
  2. Tuning Motion Settings - Optimize for speed
  3. Configuring Homing - Set up your zero point
  4. Backlash Compensation - Advanced fine-tuning

Ready to start? Let's make your machine accurate: Calibrate Steps per Unit