MDF Rose Engine Lathe 2.0
Bright red & green buttons show the system
when synchronizing movement towards the headstock
 Enabled
Indicates that the selected stepper motor is enabled even when not in use. Touch this to change it to Disabled.

 Disabled
Indicates that the selected stepper motor is only enabled when in use, and then disabled. Touch this to change it to Enabled.

 CCW
Used to index the spindle counter-clockwise for the next cut path.

 CW
Used to index the spindle clockwise for the next cut path. (The amount is the same as for CCW.)

 Sets the direction of the cut to be made towards the headstock.

 Used to stop the motion of the stepper motor.

 Used to return the spindle or the selected axis to the start point of the previous operation. When using this function, Be sure to stop and retract the cutter from the cut first. The return path does not always follow the same path as the initial cut. (Backlash and other factors come into play here.) The speed of the return action is set in the Preferences | Returns screen.

 Sets the direction of the cut to be made away from the headstock.

 Config
Touch Config on the screen image above to see the details for this screen.
This is used to display or edit the configuration settings for the MaxSpeed and the Acceleration for the respective stepper motors.
 Synchronization Screen

Purpose:Synchronizes the rotation of the spindle with movement on an auxiliary axis.

This screen uses values set on other screens.

 CCW
 CW

The amount the spindle will index when using these buttons is based on the value in Divisions (of a circle) which is set on the Index #1 Screen.

This value could be either in divisions of a circle or degrees depending upon which option is toggled on the Index #1 Screen.

After one indexing is executed, that direction's button will be "lit" (the text will change to red). This makes it easier to index again in the same direction.

 Enabled
 Disabled

This Preferences | More screen sets whether the stepper motors are continuously Disabled or Enabled. These buttons can temporarily override that configuration setting.

When using DM542T stepper motor drivers, this needs to be Enabled (especially for work using indexing), otherwise the position will be lost and the movement will not be predictable.

Distance

This is directly impacted by the Distance/360 setting for the axis used.

The Preferences | Z Axis screen is where the Distance/360 is set for the Z axis. If using the X or B axis with this, use the Preferences page for that respective axis.

There is value in reading thru the threading activity document for understanding how to add helixes to an object.

 Helix Type The Helix Type setting,         Left Right corresponds to the direction for threading (i.e., left-handed or right-handed threads). The same thinking should be applied to how the helix would be cut. Revolutions The value of the Revolutions determines how far around the piece the helix will travel based on the spindle rotating. The value of 0.95 illustrated will rotate the spindle \begin{align} SpindleRotation & = 360 ° \times \, Revolutions \\ & = 360 ° \times \, 0.95 \\ & = 342 ° \end{align} whilst moving the cutter the distance specified (in this case, 30). The value of the Revolutions also determines the evenness of the surface when making a flute. Increasing the number of revolutions for a given distance will reduce the size of the ridges. Ridges are desirable when making threads, but for a smooth surface they may not be. With a high enough value for the Revolutions, these ridges will become imperceptable. More details about that are available at this web page. To change this value, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen. Distance The value of the Distance variable determines the cut length (amount of Z, X, or B axis movement) and is dependent upon value entered in the Configuration Screen for Distance/360 for the axis you are using. If using the B axis with radial movement, the gear ratio sets this value. Distance is not have a dimensional per se. For the selected axis of movement: If the value in the Configuration Screen is specified in inches, then this distance to move will be in inches. If the value is specified in millimeters, then this will be also in millimeters. To change this value, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen. B Radius B Radius is the distance from the center of rotation to the cutter. This field is only visible when moving on the B axis. Speed The controls on the left and right side of the screen are for controlling the respective stepper motor's speed and acceleration. To change the Max Speed, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen. The slider is a red bar that can be moved up to increase the speed, or down to decrease it. Want to understand this better? More details about the stepper motor speeds are on this page. Acceleration The bottom number (5800 on the left; 7488 on the right) is the acceleration for the stepper motor. To change this value, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen.

Limit switches can be used with this function. The pins used for this are configured on the Limit Switches Configuration Screen. (More information about the implementation of limit switches is on that page.)

If the EStop is engaged when using this function, all the movement buttons will turn red.

To reset:

1. Ensure the EStop switch is not closed, and
2. Touch one of the stop buttons.

Specific Axis Notes