Microstepping

Definition

A 1.8° motor has 200 full steps per revolution. 16× microstepping commands 3200 pulses per rev. Linear resolution along a lead screw is lead / (200 × microstep). TR8×8 at 16× is 8 / 3200 = 0.0025 mm per pulse on paper. Extra microstepping smooths motion but does not multiply holding torque; mechanical pitch and belt slack usually dominate Z banding before the step size does.

Calculators that use this

• FDM calibration & firmware

  Z-Axis Lead Screw Resolution Calculator

  Calculate Z steps per millimetre and linear resolution from motor step angle, lead-screw pitch and microstepping. Helps diagnose Z banding.

• FDM calibration & firmware

  Z-Axis Optimal Layer Height

  Snap a desired FDM layer height to the nearest full-step multiple of your Z lead screw and motor step angle to reduce microstep banding.