Squaring and Adjusting the X-Car Page -2-
Now, because you’ve gotten the board parallel to the X axis, the short (Y) edge is square to
the X. You can move the carriage down to one end of the sheet and move the tip of the
cutter along the short edge, moving the YZ Car. By observing the tip of the cutter as it
moves along the short edge, you will be able to evaluate the square of the two axes on the
tool.
Relaxed Alignment vs Powered Alignment
Square is maintained on your tool by the 2, X-axis motors. The motors always move
absolutely identically and they keep the X-Car perfectly square when they are powered. The
X-Car itself, when not locked into position by the motors, is not designed to be capable of
maintaining the alignment on its own. In the ideal world, the X axis will always ‘relax’ into a
square position when powered off. But in practice, because the motors and gearboxes have
a lot of friction, there may not be an exact, relaxed alignment position of the carriage and it
will be possible to push one or the other end out of alignment.
To get the tool square with the motors installed and engaged, start powered off, push the
carriage back and forth a few times from the center and let it take as natural an alignment
position as possible. Do this over the edge of your sheet so you can check square. Your
relaxed alignment should be within about 1/8” of square across the table, as indicated by
your cutter tip moving up and down the Y edge of the sheet. If you are further out of
alignment than this, visit the “Making Adjustment” section below.
Once the alignment is close and continuing with the motors powered off, push the one end
of the car slightly to bring the whole gantry into perfect square with the board. You may
need to lock one or both ends with clamps to manage this. Then, when you’ve got it square,
turn the power to on to the Control Box, and if a PRSalpha, hit the Reset Button. The
motors will power on and lock into position. Your tool is now square in X and Y, and it will
remain square whenever it moves until the power is removed.
SquaringXCar080916 Copyright 2008 ShopBot Tools, Inc
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