Owner`s manual

22 MaxMotion for Machines
Backlash
Backlash is a very important feature to take care of the mechanical
inconsistencies in machines. Every mechanical device is slightly
different. Also, its characteristics change as it ages. If there is a me-
chanical problem which creates backlash and as a result, the machine
does not come back to Home at the end of a job, the mechanical
problem should be fixed. It is possible to compensate the mechanical
backlash with electronic compensation in MaxMotion until the problem
is fixed. Due to the invention of anti-backlash nuts, this is much less of
a problem in today's times.
You can experiment with different numbers and observe the effects as
you repeat the same job. The backlash number will always be a whole
number and always a positive number.
For the users of MaxMotion Virtual Controller, it is easy to select
Control Pad in the File menu. This will bring up a Control Pad on
the screen and will allow control of the machine directly from the
10-key keypad portion on the keyboard.
Alternate set ups are available from the keyboard for the computers that
are not equipped with the 10-key keypads. Typically, these computers
are portable computers.
To understand the operation of the 10 key keypad, refer to the File
Menu section in Chapter 5.
Section IV
Section IV describes the capability that is unparalleled in the engraving
industry and essential for the CNC industry. MaxMotion offers sophis-
ticated and built-in capability of S-curve acceleration and deceleration
for all the step motors. Most simple controllers offer only straight line
acceleration and deceleration. Not only this is hard for the mechanical
components, it is also easy to lose steps if high speeds were desired
from the machine. Controllers do not have enough processing power
and/or memory for intense calculations required for sophisticated
acceleration techniques. Today's inexpensive PC's with immense