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§8.4, Pen up and pen down positions, continued
The pen-up and pen-down heights may each be adjusted between 0 and 100% to
suit your needs. Higher percentage values lift the pen higher.
The factory-default values of 60% (up) and 30% (down) are a good starting point.
Try also adjusting them to a different set of values (say, 70% and 30%, respective-
ly) and apply, to see that the positions change when you adjust them. The pen
holder should visibly move up and down as you raise and lower the pen holder.
Pen up gap:
1/8 - 1/4 inch
(3-6 mm)
above paper
While in the pen-up position, insert your pen and position it above your paper.
The vertical position of your pen should be approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 - 6
mm) above the surface of the paper. You can physically adjust the position of the
pen with the thumbscrew, and/or change the positions from the Setup tab of
AxiDraw Control.
Toggle also to the pen-down position. With the pen down, the pen should rest
on the paper by its weight. If it does not, you may need to lower the pen-down
position. (While testing, you can protect the paper that you will be writing upon
with another sheet of paper, to avoid writing on your actual workpiece.)
Finally, return the pen holder back up, to position your paper for printing.
Once you are familiar with the process of inserting the pen and setting the
height, this process reduces to two steps:
1) Raise the pen holder to the pen-up position (if it is not already there).
2) Insert your pen into place.