Xylotex Microstepping vs. EMC2 BASE_PERIOD

Microstepping setup notes. Hardware is a Taig 2019cr micromill with a 20TPI leadscrew and 200 steps/revolution motors, driven by a Xylotex 4 Axis stepper driver. The host for EMC2 is an Athlon XP, a 1700+ or 1800+. After calculations, the step mode jumpers on the Xylotex board were configured for eighth-step mode, and BASE_PERIOD=10000 was set in the EMC2 configuration file.

Initial impressions of the setup are quieter and smoother operation. Performance is comparable with the full step configuration: 60 IPM somewhat works, locking up towards the end of the tables travel, 45 IPM seems stable, and maximum working jog speed will remain 30 IPM. Testing the new configuration in the immediate future will likely be done milling circuit boards with a 30deg conical cutter, and .250″ endmilling acrylic. I’m excited already.

60 IPM = 1 inch/sec

200 steps/rev * 20 TPI leadscrew (full step mode)
= 4000 steps/in
= 4KHz step rate @ 60 IPM
= 250us step period / 2
= 125000 min BASE_PERIOD

400 steps/rev * 20 TPI leadscrew (half step mode)
= 8000 steps/in
= 8KHz step rate @ 60 IPM
= 125us step period / 2
= 62500 min BASE_PERIOD

800 steps/rev * 20 TPI leadscrew (quarter step mode)
= 16000 steps/in
= 16KHz step rate @ 60 IPM
= 62.5us step period / 2
= 31250 min BASE_PERIOD

1600 steps/rev * 20 TPI leadscrew (eighth step mode)
= 32000 steps/in
= 32KHz step rate @ 60 IPM
= 31.25us step period / 2
= 15625 min BASE_PERIOD

Xylotex 4 Axis Stepper Controller Datasheet

Posted by rmrubin September 2007

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