Hey all, just got my Shapeoko xl all assembled and when I try to run the “Hello World” file, my machine is acting really strange. If anyone can help, I would really appreciate it! Here are a couple of links to video clips showing my issue.
It appears to be traveling downward initially and the belt/steppers are skipping as it plunges into the bed. Unsure how you’re zeroing Z and setting this in Carbide Motion.
Hey Rich, I tried doing both. First I lowered the marker with the same results, then I tried putting wood under it the 2nd time, but I got the same result with the Z plunging into the bed and then raising up above the paper.
Jim, I am using the instructions for setting “0” by jogging to the bottom left corner of the paper, and putting the marker just barely above the paper. Then I click “set zero” - then click “zero all” (all the numbers go to zero), then I click “done” and then I click “load” and find the file, click on it, then click “open” and run, then I click “begin project”, then “run” again. I’m really a noob at this stuff, I’m really not trying to be ignorant or ungrateful, because I really appreciate the help, I’m just trying to be complete with the steps that I am taking.
One problem here is that the XL and XXL are a bit taller than the original Shapeoko 3, and with the new Z-axis plate, don’t have the same reach down, so really, pretty much need a spoilboard to lift things up into reach.
Alternately, install your router so that it is as low as it can go, then strap the pen/pencil to it reaching down even further — the big thing is, you need to keep your V-wheels on the rails, and you need to not be moving down so far that the springs are stretched so taut that they pull the plate up and interfere with operation (one option is to temporarily remove one).
It’s a bit tricky at first, there are a lot of things to tweak / adjust, but patiently watch, observe, change only one thing at a time, and you’ll seen be an old hand at it all.
Ok, I see the Z rails in this video, so the Z looks good, but I also see that the first move is to lower the Z, and this file (Write SHAPEOKO), raises the Z as the FIRST move…so either you are not setting the Z OR the Z is backwards (Happens sometimes)
Tell me: Click on Z+ Button, does the Head (Z) go UP or DOWN?
Thanks Rich, is this something that I wired wrong, or something that was shipped to me with just a setting that needs tweaking? I’ll google it right now, thank you!!
You have to remove the Zmount (and the router mount on the plate) and turn it upside down and refit - not really a big deal.
I think from memory you can just manage to take the plate off without further disassembly. it’s a tight squeeze but it does comes off. Probably if you move the carriage forward to the front of the machine where it slightly overhangs it may be easier to remove.
The most difficult bit is readjusting the z belt tension correctly.