Squaring the gantry - tools and theory

Modified on Fri, 15 Jul, 2022 at 10:40 AM

Tools needed for squaring a gantry:

Magnetic base and arm
https://www.amazon.ca/Neoteck-Magnetic-Digital-Indicator-176lbs%EF%BC%8880kg%EF%BC%89/dp/B08HLW4TMS/ref=sr_1_9?crid=OZAF044XCVU6&keywords=neoteck+magnet&qid=1657895498&sprefix=neoteck+magnet%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-9

Dial indicator 0.001" graduation
https://www.amazon.ca/INSIZE-2380-31-Indicator-Graduation-0-001/dp/B00CZGP6LK/ref=sr_1_57?crid=I6MUWPLDYQ6H&keywords=insize&qid=1657895611&sprefix=insize%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-57

Granite tri-square
https://www.amazon.ca/HHIP-4901-2705-Precision-Granite-Square/dp/B01ABWVQ40/ref=sr_1_2?crid=281X0VOFWCOUW&keywords=granite%2Bsquare&qid=1657895641&sprefix=granite%2Bsquar%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-2&th=1

The theory behind squaring:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc3lBPTnoFQ

What we do is sweep the block in the Y axis and tap the granite block until the dial indicator reads as close to 0.000 as possible across the edge of the granite block in the Y axis. We then put the dial indicator on the front edge of the granite block and sweep X to find if the gantry is square or not. 


If the gantry is not square across X axis, you can loosen the linear guide bolts that attach the gantry arms to the linear guide rails in the Y axis. Make your gantry shift here.

You can also just shim the back on one of the gantry arms where it mates with the gantry.

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