4x4 Pro - won't initialize

CNC Machines Shapeoko 5 Pro
1

I’ve tried to initialize for the first time and continue to get the same error message. I was trading emails with support last week and they determined that my controller might be bad. I just plugged the new controller in with the same issue.

I’ve tested all my homing switches and all appear to be functioning when tested both via the LED and being recognized by CM.

When first initializing, my z goes down and hits the spoil board and then goes up but doesn’t reach the homing switch - then just stops and gives me the error below.

I’ve tried to manually job the z-axis and will really only go down. If I try to go up, it may go up slightly and then goes down. After reading through some other posts, I’m having the same issue as many but I’m unclear on how to resolve as it sounds like it may be some config setting but I’m lost on how to remedy.

Anyone have some insights for me?

"HM009: The machine could not find the homing switches.

This could be caused by:

  • Mechanical problems jamming a machine axis
  • A malfunctioning homing switch

This is equivalent to GRBL Alarm 9.

https://qr.carbide3d.com/error/hm009
"

2

Please start by re-sending the machine configuration per:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/docs/shapeoko-setup/

which affords the chance to test the homing switches — confirm that each tests as the correct axis.

If the machine won’t initialize in the setup wizard, bypass initialization as shown at:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/docs/troubleshooting-homing/

Does the machine then move as expected? (X-axis: positive-right, negative-left; Y-axis: positive-to back, negative to front; Z-axis: positive up, negative down)? Is the movement the correct distance?

Let us know what you find out.

3

I’m unable to get through the initialization through the setup wizard and z goes down and then tries to go up but doesn’t make it all the way - then I get the error message above.

When I bypass initialization, all axis move as expected except for the z- up. When i manually jog up z, it goes down. z-down goes down too. It appears as if the z-up is trying to go up as the ball screwe will try to spin up for 1mm or so and then continue moving down.

Again, new controller after several back and forths with support last week.

4

Have you tested all of the homing switches? This seems to remind me of an error directly to one of the homing switches my 5 pro 4x4 when I assembled it. Swapped out to the shipped spare and running ing smoothly ever since. C3D immediately sent a spare switch out to me after I called them.

5

I have tested all the homings switches - and all appear to be talking to CM as intended - at least the LEDs are registering and the software is picking them up.

I’ll try replacing the z right now - however, my issue appears to occur before it reaches the z homing switch.

1 Like
6

Please go to Settings | Debug:

image
image1186×1097 34.9 KB

and examine the machine settings.

Is $3 = 0?

If so, please try enabling the MDI and sending

$3 = 4

which will reverse the Z-axis, then try initializing.

7

Is “$3=0” the same as “3=0”

Here is a copy - also any special commands to send or just type in “$3=4”?

Machine: Shapeoko 5 Pro
GRBL Version: 1.1h

Carbide Motion 649
Machine Controller State: INIT
Grbl Cycle: Idle

{
“bitRunnerEnabled”: false,
“bitSetterEnabled”: false,
“bitSetterX”: 0.0,
“bitSetterY”: 0.0,
“bitZeroType”: 2,
“connection”: 6,
“hasLaser”: false,
“lastConfigSent”: 0,
“lastProbeIndex”: 0,
“lastSizeOption”: 0,
“odometer”: [
{
“cleared”: false,
“minutes”: 0.5535666666666672,
“startDate”: “2025-08-04”,
“travelX”: 1927.8489886522293,
“travelY”: 1503.5129535198212,
“travelZ”: 608.0000004768372
}
],
“showCarbideRouterRpm”: true,
“spindleType”: 0,
“travelX”: -1237.0,
“travelY”: -1237.0,
“travelZ”: -155.0,
“version”: 0,
“webhooks”: ,
“workOffsetX”: -2.5369999408721924,
“workOffsetY”: 0.0,
“workOffsetZ”: 0.0
}

0 = 10, Step pulse, microseconds
1 = 255, Step idle delay, milliseconds
2 = 6, Step port invert, mask
3 = 0, Direction port invert, mask
4 = 0, Step enable invert, boolean
5 = 1, Limit pins invert, boolean
6 = 0, Probe pin invert, boolean
10 = 255, Status report, mask
11 = 0.02, Junction deviation, millimeters
12 = 0.002, Arc tolerance, millimeters
13 = 0, Report inches, boolean
20 = 0, Soft limits, boolean
21 = 0, Hard limits, boolean
22 = 1, Homing cycle, boolean
23 = 0, Homing dir invert, mask
24 = 500, Homing feed, mm/min
25 = 2000, Homing seek, mm/min
26 = 25, Homing debounce, milliseconds
27 = 1.5, Homing pull-off, millimeters
30 = 24000, Max spindle speed, RPM
31 = 0, Min spindle speed, RPM
32 = 0, Laser mode, boolean
100 = 80, X steps/mm
101 = 80, Y steps/mm
102 = 160, Z steps/mm
110 = 5000, X Max rate, mm/min
111 = 5000, Y Max rate, mm/min
112 = 3000, Z Max rate, mm/min
120 = 500, X Acceleration, mm/sec^2
121 = 500, Y Acceleration, mm/sec^2
122 = 500, Z Acceleration, mm/sec^2
130 = 1250, X Max travel, millimeters
131 = 1250, Y Max travel, millimeters
132 = 155, Z Max travel, millimeters

Maintenance:

Travel (km) 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.01 Hours since 2025-08-04

Queue Empty

8

Just enable the MDI and type

$3 = 4

into the MDI dialog and send it, then try initializing.

9

It is doing the same thing during initialization. Z starts down, hits the bottom and then gets 3/4 of the way to the homing switch and gives me the error.

When I try to manually lift the z-axis with the machine off, there is some tension right where the machine stops when running the initalization. I’ve wiped off the ball screw and don’t see anything that would limit the travel. Is there a chance there is some issue with the ballscrew/nut or the motor?

10

Power down and move the Z-axis all the way to the top, then all the way to the bottom, then back to the middle, then power up, connect, bypass the homing switches per:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/docs/troubleshooting-homing/

and then try jogging the Z-axis in both directions — does it move in two different directions? Or only down?

Re-run the Machine Setup Wizard to restore the correct defaults/configuration.

11

It still only moves down when trying to jog the z axis

12

Please let us know about this at support@carbide3d.com and we’ll work out what needs to be done.

Please also send us photos showing your Z-axis motor, coupler/ball-screw, and all the wiring connections for the Z-axis motor.

I suspect fault motor (which would be a first and is just about unprecedented), unless it’s a second faulty controller (there is a failure mode where a stepper driver will only turn in one direction), or we can go for the truly long shot and it’s both (and possibly bad wiring to boot).

13

The HDZ Z runs in the opposite direction versus a regular Z. This was a problem when the HDZ first came out for the SO3. If you have a HDZ besure you select that and not a regular Z. If you pick the wrong that may be why you are going down instead of up at initialization. Initialization starts with the Z homing and then the X and Y are homed. If the Z fails you will never get to the X and Y homing.

If this is a new machine you need to check the wiring. If the stepper motor is miswired it will go in the wrong direction. I dont know the proper wiring for the Z stepper but I am sure it is here on the forum.

14

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