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Parameters of the AH60‑XX80 A‑Axis

The AH60‑XX80 is a planetary‑geared A‑axis (rotary axis) designed for OMIOCNC routers. To set the correct pulse count in your CNC controller, you need to know three key parameters:

  • Stepper motor step angle: 1.8° per full step, therefore 200 pulses are required for one full motor revolution (200 × 1.8° = 360°).
  • Driver micro‑step setting (default for X8 square‑rail USB machines): 8 micro‑steps per full step.
  • Planetary gear reduction ratio: 10:1 — the motor must turn 10 times to rotate the chuck once.

Calculating Pulses Per Degree (Default 8‑Micro‑Step)

Follow the formula below to calculate how many pulses are required for the chuck to rotate one degree:

Motor full steps per revolution: 200 Micro‑step multiplier: 8 Reduction ratio: 10 Pulses per motor revolution: 200 × 8 = 1,600 Pulses per chuck revolution: 1,600 × 10 = 16,000 Pulses per degree: 16,000 ÷ 360 ≈ 44.444

In your CNC control software Mach3, enter 44.444 as the "Steps Per Degree" (or equivalent) value for the A‑axis. This ensures that when your CAM software commands a 1° rotation, the chuck rotates exactly 1°.

Changing the Micro‑Step Setting

You can adjust the micro‑step resolution by changing the DIP switch configuration on the stepper driver board. A higher micro‑step value gives finer resolution but requires more pulses per degree. The general formula is:

Pulses per degree = (200 × micro‑step × reduction ratio) ÷ 360

For example, if you set the A‑axis driver to 32 micro‑steps:

200 × 32 × 10 ÷ 360 = 177.78 pulses per degree

Enter 177.78 as the Steps Per Degree value in your controller. Always verify the actual rotation accuracy after changing the setting — command a 90° rotation and confirm the chuck reaches the expected position.

Note: Planetary‑geared A‑axis units contain consumable components such as the coupling, bearings, and chuck jaws. These should be replaced when worn rather than repaired. Keep spare parts on hand to minimize downtime.

By correctly calculating and entering the pulse value, you ensure that your AH60‑XX80 A‑axis rotates precisely to the commanded angle, delivering accurate engraving and carving on cylindrical workpieces.

Tags: pulse calculation planetary reduction CNC setup A‑axis AH60‑XX80