Backlash Compensation

The backlash compensation, when enabled, adds a defined amount to each move if the direction changes.

It is enabled in the config.ini, and each axis can have the extra movement defined (or left at zero for none)

There are several ways to measure backlash but the most appropriate is to put a dial indicator on the axis to be measured, preload the DTI in one direction (say for X go from left to right), set the DRO to zero and set the DTI to zero, then move 10mm in the same direction (left to right), then move back to 0 (moving right to left). Look at the DTI to see how far short of 0 it is, and set that as the backlash for that axis. Most CNC mills are in the order of 0.01mm to 0.05mm YMMV.

You can temporarily set the backlash using M425 X0.05 P1 then repeat the above steps and see if the DTI returns to 0. Adjust accordingly.

Once you get a good result, then set the backlash amount in the config.ini

[actuator]
alpha.backlash_mm = 0.05        # sets backlash compensation for X axis
beta.backlash_mm = 0.03        # sets backlash compensation for Y axis

To have the backlash activated after each boot add the following to the config.ini

[motion control]
backlash_enable = true    # set to true to enable backlash compensation on boot

Backlash is not enabled by default unless the above is added to the config.

You can turn backlash compensation off temporarily using M425 P0 or turn on using M425 P1

When turned on the extra moves will NOT show up in the DRO outputs as they are not counted towards the recorded move.