I built my Lowrider 4 mostly for pen plotting and I am currently experimenting with all kinds of pen attachments. Good fun so far!
One thing I noticed is that the Z travel speed is limited by the config to 900mm per min (at least thats how I understand the max_rate_mm_per_min setting in config.yaml)
I understand that a better way to improve this would be to switch to a servo motor pen lifting mechanism. But this would be a next big step in the buildout.
Meanwhile: does anyone have experience with speeding this up? I am wondering about the reasoning behind this setting - is it about the weight of the router that is normally attached? Or something to do with the motors driving the z axis?
It’s mostly about the motors not skipping steps when going too fast or not being able to change direction (mostly from down to up) quickly enough because of inertia and gravity. I had run mine (with external stepper drivers) at 2000mm/min. Without a router and the internal drivers, you could as well try 1200mm/min (or even faster), the stress is on try. I can’t promise you it’s going to work.
Agree. Well lubed, well aligned Z leadscrews mounted to well printed/fitting Z-Nut and Z-Stub will make a huge difference on what’s Z feedrate/rapid speeds are reliably possible. Ensure XZ plate assemblies are freely moving along the linear rails and no noticable friction/binding.
