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I have a custom designed and built CoreXY printer. I have noticed that when I order the X to move from one side to the other (right to left) that the Y axis moves back about 0.6 mm as well. When I move the X back (from left to right) the Y also moves forward approximately the same amount.

What property of the CoreXY system could be causing this? Note, I am using 608 bearings instead of toothed idler pulleys; which I hope to rectify soon.

Steps per mm from the Marlin configuration.h:

DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT   { 475.79, 482.87, 468.66, 188.1 }

Note, they are not the same for X and Y. This is because I am trying to run a calibration cube test on the machine.

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    $\begingroup$ that sounds like either a firmware or a hardware problem... $\endgroup$
    – Trish
    Commented Oct 25, 2019 at 21:26
  • $\begingroup$ Is the motor turning causing the movement? Or is this a measurement you've taken for the y-axis travel? $\endgroup$
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
    Commented Oct 25, 2019 at 22:50
  • $\begingroup$ @Paulster2, This is a measurement I've taken for the y-xis travel; $\endgroup$
    – user77232
    Commented Oct 26, 2019 at 12:03
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    $\begingroup$ Are the steps per mm for X and Y set to the same value? $\endgroup$
    – Tom van der Zanden
    Commented Oct 26, 2019 at 12:12
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    $\begingroup$ @user77232 it could be a pinning error (as in the firmware pins are messed up) or steps/mm (which is in the firmware). try to check hardware first. $\endgroup$
    – Trish
    Commented Oct 26, 2019 at 12:24

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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For a CoreXY printer to move an axis (X or Y) it requires both stepper motors to turn. If both turn the same direction (at the same speed with the same pulleys), the X-axis will move, if they rotate both in a different direction (at the same speed with the same pulleys) the Y axis will move (see image of CoreXY kinematics below). Rotation of a single stepper would cause a 45° printing pattern.

CoreXY kinematics

All four corner points (two top pulleys and two bottom steppers) are fixed to the CoreXY frame

It is therefore highly illogical that you need to use different values for your steps per mm (X = 475.79 steps/mm, Y = 482.87 steps/mm). If you need to use such values, this implies that your mechanical layout/mechanics is/are incorrect (skew frame, different pulley diameters, slip on pulley, incorrect tension of belts, etc.). It is advised to make them equal and check the mechanical layout and inspect all parts (pulley diameters) and make the tension equal (e.g. using a Belt Tension Gauge). If the head still moves in the perpendicular direction as commanded, you could try to calibrate from there.

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  • $\begingroup$ ok I assert that it is possible that there are variances in the tolerance of the motors, pulleys and belts. The drift in the values was my attempt to compensate for those variances. Would that be something that I compensate for in hardware or firmware? $\endgroup$
    – user77232
    Commented Oct 29, 2019 at 0:34
  • $\begingroup$ @user77232 I doubt that the manufacturing tolerances of steppers, pulleys and belts would make that much of an impact. My CoreXY is running with equal X and Y steps per mm and produces square products. $\endgroup$
    – 0scar ♦
    Commented Oct 29, 2019 at 13:17
  • $\begingroup$ Ok, so I need an actual answer: Do I reset the steps/mm in the firmware and try invest in sorting out the hardware or do I mess with marlin to get it to straighten out? $\endgroup$
    – user77232
    Commented Oct 29, 2019 at 13:42
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    $\begingroup$ @user77232 set them to be equal first, then calibrate. $\endgroup$
    – Trish
    Commented Oct 29, 2019 at 14:09
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    $\begingroup$ @user77232 Try getting the tension in the belts to the same using a tension gauge, I've updated my answer. This gauge helped me too. $\endgroup$
    – 0scar ♦
    Commented Oct 29, 2019 at 15:41

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