ELFOS

Enabled

Indicates that the selected stepper motor is enabled even when not in use. Touch this to change it to Disabled.

The More screen can be used to set this to be continuously Disabled or Enabled. These buttons temporarily override that configuration setting.

Key Note:When using DM542T stepper motor drivers, this needs to be Enabled (especially for work using indexing), otherwise the position will be lost and the movement will not be predictable.

Disabled

Indicates that the selected stepper motor is only enabled when in use, and then disabled. Touch this to change it to Enabled.

Used to determine the direction of cut along the X or Z axis, depending on which is selected. The pattern will run the pre-determined Axial Distance then stop and wait for return direction instruction. User chooses whether to cut in both directions (either on the same cut path or on subsequent path) or retract cutter and return to the origin point without cutting.

Used to stop the motion of the stepper motor.

Used to return the spindle or the selected axis to the pattern start point of the previous operation.

When using this function, Be sure to stop and retract the cutter from the cut first. The return path does not always follow the same path as the initial cut. (Backlash and other factors come into play here.)

The speed of the return action is set in the Preferences | Returns screen.

Reciprocation Axis Screen
(Axial)

Purpose: Synchronizes Spindle and Auxiliary Axis to produce a sharp-pointed reciprocating pattern along the circumferential surface of a cylindrical workpiece (typically around the Z axis):

It works by alternately reversing the Z, X, M3, or M4 axis direction whilst the spindle continues rotating in the same direction. The result would be a pattern "wrapped around the object" as it rotated.

Starting with version 3.0.8, there is a progress bar displayed just above the bottom row of buttons.

Usage Notes: It is important to develop a rhythm of steps which are constantly followed. Skipping one of the steps will cause unwanted cuts to be added to your piece.

Be sure to setup for the first series of cuts to allow the backlash to be absorbed before beginning the cuts. This is the location where the cutter will return to after each series, so giving a little space is recommended.

After setting up for the first series of cuts,

Start the cutter (e.g., the overhead drive)
Engage the cutter to the desired depth. Record the setting for this so it can be repeated.
Start the first series, using either the or button.
Retract the cutter from the piece.
Return the cutter to the start position using the button.
Index the cut using one of the 4 indexing buttons. The one used is not relevant; however it is best to stay with the same one for each set of indexes.

CCW

Continue on to the next cut by returning to step 1.

Indexes

These buttons are used to move the cutter along the Z or X axis to the next pattern starting position. The amount of movement is set on the Move Screen.

After one indexing is executed, that direction's button will be "lit" (the arrow will change to red). This makes it easier to index again in the same direction.

The value shown in gray indicates the number of times the axis has been indexed. It is decremented each time the stepper motor is moved counter clockwise, and incremented when moved clockwise.

Note: the speed for the indexing movement is set on the Move Screen.

CCW

Indexes

These buttons are used to index to the next pattern starting position. The indexing is for the:

Spindle,
M3,
M4, or
Spindle & M3 (in Synchro mode)

The amount of movement is set on the Index Screen.

After one indexing is executed, that direction's button will be "lit" (the letters will change to red). This makes it easier to index again in the same direction.

The value shown in gray indicates the number of times the axis has been indexed. It is decremented each time the stepper motor is moved counter clockwise, and incremented when moved clockwise.

Note: the speed for the indexing movement is set on the Index Screen.

Radial

Used to produce the pattern on the circumferential surface.

Axial

Used to produce the pattern on the longitudinal surface.

1		This is the original pattern.
2		This gives a square wave pattern.
3		This gives a sawtooth pattern.

No Last Leg

This option can be used by the artist on pattern 2 to have the system not cut the final vertical leg of the pattern. This only works for pattern 2.

Grow +/-

This can be used to adjust the waves as the cutter progresses down a conical form. The values can be positive, 0, or negative.

Values are added or subtracted from each leg's length after the first wave.

NOTE: The option was introduced in version 3.0.8.

Waves

This sets the number of individual waves to be cut along the cylinder.

Spindle Amplitude

This sets the "height" of each wave in degrees of rotation.

Axis Distance

This determines the width for the entire pattern (amount of linear axis movement) and is dependent upon value entered in the Configuration Screen for Distance/360 for the axis you are using.

Synchro

Sync %

This option is used to run the spindle and M3 stepper motors synchronously at the specified percentages. Negative numbers run the spindle and M3 in opposite directions.

This option only works if the Synchro function button is enabled (not red).

This function is useful for activities such as having the spindle and the rosette(s) run at different revolutions per minute (i.e., a second stepper motor is driving the rosette's rotation).

Speed

The controls on the left and right side of the screen are for controlling the respective stepper motor's speed and acceleration.

To change the Max Speed, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen.

The slider is a red bar that can be moved up to increase the speed, or down to decrease it.

Want to understand this better? More details about the stepper motor speeds are on this page.

Acceleration

The bottom number (5500 on the left; 5000 on the right) is the acceleration for the stepper motor.

To change this value, touch the number, and you will be presented with the Number Pad Screen.

Limit Switches

Limit switches can be used with this function. The pins used for this are configured on the Limit Switches Configuration Screen. (More information about the implementation of limit switches is on that page.)