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 turn the spindle counter-clockwise. On a traditional lathe, this is considered forward.

Used to stop the motion of the stepper motor.

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

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.

Used to turn the spindle clockwise. On a traditional lathe, this is considered reverse. To change the direction of the spindle, you must stop it first. You cannot directly swap between clockwise and counter-clockwise.

Config

Touch Config on the screen image above to see the details for this screen.

This is used to display or edit the configuration settings for the MaxSpeed and the Acceleration for the respective stepper motors.

Rose Screen
Geometric chuck

Purpose: This screen allows for the creation of a rose or single stage geometric chuck patterns (see also, Wikipedia Rose (mathematics) -- the math explaining how the variables work is explained there).

The M3 and M4 axes are only available when either is set to Linear.

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

Starting with version 3.1, the indexing buttons (CCW, CW, Left, and Right) were added to this screen, making the artist's job easier as they don't have to jump to the Index page for performing those operations between cuts.

Also with version 3.1, the values for n & d may be an integer or real number.

Key Note: There is some pretty heavy duty math going on here, and some of the combinations of n and d get into calculations which can take the Teensy some time. The result is that it can not be run as fast on the Z axis as with other operations.

★

200 is the recommended starting point for the Max Speed on the Z axis (and also start at 50% on the slider). If the pattern does not turn out as expected, try running at a slower speed.

the numerator

Rose curves for various values of n & d
Click on the picture to see a larger version.

You can also use the Desmos Web Site for visualizing the expected curve.

the denominator

the ratio, ⁿ/_d

Spindle Revolutions

Number of revolutions the spindle should make before stopping. This functionality very useful is useful for producing partially completed patterns like the one to the right.

If this is set to zero (0), the movement of the cutter will continue until the stop button is pressed. This is useful for setting the depth of cut.

This field was introduced in version 19.

Axis Amplitude

Sets height (distance along Z or X Axes) of each lobe and is dependent upon value entered in Configuration Screen for Distance/360 for the axis you are using. If using the M3 or M4 axis with radial movement, the gear ratio sets this value.

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.

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 (6000 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.)

Reference Documents

The geometric mathematics behind this movement are explained by Dr. Frank A. Farris in his 1996 paper, "Wheels on Wheels on Wheels-Surprising Symmetry".

There is also a nice article on this at Wolfram MathWorld.

One good historical reference is Sir Thomas Sebastian Bazley's 1875 book, Index to the Geometric Chuck. There are some great pictures showing the result of the process.