Machine configuration¶
The machine configuration is the calibration and limits stored on the machine itself. It describes this machine (its mechanics, drive and load cell) and rarely changes. It is on the Settings screen, under the data folder.
Reading and writing¶
- The configuration is read from the machine when you connect.
- Edit a field, then Write to device. The machine stores it and keeps it through power cycles. The button shows Saved ✓ when the write worked.
- Read from device re-reads it, discarding unsaved edits.
- Leaving Settings with unsaved edits asks first.
Reboot after writing
The machine loads its configuration when it starts, so a written value takes effect after a reboot. After a write the app asks:
- Reboot now tells the machine to restart, then reconnects once it has booted. It is unavailable while a test is running.
- Do it later keeps the machine running on its old values until it next restarts (power-cycle it, for example).
If the app can't reconnect after the reboot, reconnect from Connect or power-cycle the machine.
These values calibrate the machine
Wrong steps/mm or load cell values make every measurement wrong, and wrong limits can drive the carriage past safe travel. The motor calibration and load cell calibration check them against the hardware.
Fields¶
In the order they appear.
| Field | What it sets |
|---|---|
| Name | A label for this machine |
| Encoder (step/mm) | Encoder counts per millimetre of travel |
| Servo (step/mm) | Drive pulses per millimetre of travel |
| Load Cell Capacity (N) | The load cell's rated force, from its datasheet |
| Load Cell Sensitivity (mV/V) | The load cell's output at capacity, per volt of excitation. Start from the datasheet's rated output; the load cell calibration measures it. |
| Load Cell Zero Balance (mV/V) | What the load cell reads with nothing on it. The load cell calibration measures it. |
| Position Max (mm) | How far the carriage is allowed to travel |
| Velocity Max (mm/s) | The fastest the machine will move |
| Acceleration Max (mm/s²) | The acceleration every move uses |
| Tensile Force Max (N) | The force above which the machine reports a MACHINE_TENSION restriction |
| Homing Velocity (mm/s) | Speed used when homing |
| Homing Offset (mm) | Offset applied after homing |
| Jaw Offset (mm) | Distance from the home reference to the jaw |
| Restricted Velocity (mm/s) | The speed cap while a restriction is active (an end stop, the door, a force or length limit). 0 means no cap. |
| Servo Kp (1/s) | How hard the servo corrects a position error. The motion calibration suggests a value. |
| Servo Ki (1/s²) | Removes a steady position error under load. 0 switches it off. |
| Drive enable | Which level of the drive's enable input turns the drive on. Servo drives such as the DMM DYN4 are on while the input is energized (High enables); most stepper drivers are off while it is energized (Low enables). If this is wrong, the drive never turns on and the carriage doesn't move. |
These are machine limits. The per-test limits are in the sample profile, and both apply.