I’ve had my Elite Journeyman for ~ 6 months and done several projects without noticing anything wrong. Then I tried to route a 3/4" groove for some T-Track with a 1/4 end mill and found that my groove was too narrow. Putting in a 3/4" bit worked, but it go me thinking that my machine may not be as accurate as I imagined. There are several good posts on how to calibrate. Basically it comes down to distance traveled/distance commanded = a scaling factor that can be applied to the axis setup on the F1 screen.
I found some NIST traceable rulers on McMaster for a reasonable price. https://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=2363A39 https://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=2363A41
I used a 30 degree V bit as a pointer and made some moves from the MDI screen using X0, and X39 cmds. I found that the X axis was off by 1/16" over 39 inches. 38 15/16 / 39 = 0.99839 Multiple the X axis Distance per revolution (0.62992) x 0.99839 = 0.62891. Entered and saved and now when I go from X 0 to X39 it goes exactly 39 inches.
Repeated the same for Y and found it was off by 1/32"
X was off by 1/16" over 39 inches and Y off 1/32 I am sure the test sign will still look ok.
and when we get our machines we should all just check our setting and calibration ourself.
Yep, need to check calibration over the longest distance you can measure. The onefinity goes together well, but it is still disassembled at the factory and reassembled at home, so best to tweak the calibration yourself.
RTJ, you got me fired up. I am a retired Mech Eng who has taken a few machinists classes, but smart enough NOT to call myself a machinist. (out of respect for those who know their machines)… anyways the rulers you posted what are the tols? I saw some Starett that claimed -0.005 to +0.01 over 39 inches… but were about $400. Yes, cheaper is better for something that get used a few times in a lifetime.
Also I assume these lengths are at 70 def F? The alpha * delta T issue.