How do I zero the z axis

CNC Machines Shapeoko Pro
1

I can zero the x and the y axis but I can’t zero the z axis
if you guys could help that would be great

2

See:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/running-shapeoko/movements-zeroing/

if you’re still having trouble, post a screen grab and photos showing what you are seeing.

3

Machine model? Setting Z for material?

More info is needed to assist you. There are numerous videos on C3D that explains this.

4

I use playing cards because they are of uniform thickness…anything else wouldn’t be allowed in a casino. That said, use a digital micrometer to know and understand the thickness of your substrate, playing card, and tape if you are using tape and CA glue. Drop your Z to the surface you wish to set the z (I almost always use the machine bed) and make fine adjustments so your playing card is just scratched by the cutter. Remove the card and drop the z the exact thickness of the playing card. Set the Z. That’s how I do it and I have a super clean spoil board.

5

On most non C3D machines they do not have BitZero accessories. Some do but not all. So a common and old method of setting Z zero is to jog your tool down and place a piece of paper under the bit. As you get closer and closer show down your jog and just as the bit hits the paper stop and set your Z zero. To know when the bit hits the paper you would wiggle the paper back and forth and just as the bit hits the paper you would stop the jogging and set your Z zero. C3D machines all have the BitZero available and some 3rd party machines have some type of BitZero device. Even on a C3D machine with BitZero you can use the paper method to set your Z zero or to check it by placing the paper under the bit and jogging down to Z zero just to check. Again you woould be wiggling the paper back and forth and when you can no longer wiggle it you are the surface of what you are zeroing against.

The BitZero is easiest to use but the paper method predates the BitZero and that is the way I set up my SO3 until I bought a BitZero v1.

1 Like
6

That video did not help when I go to set zero for the z axis in program it goes to where initialized and digs in to the slats and doesn’t zero everything to the board

7

Please upload:

  • .c2d file
  • photo showing the stock secured in place on the machine with the machine at the zero position (or a specified offset from that position)
  • screen grabs of Carbide Motion showing both Position and Machine Position (click on them to toggle)
8

Sounds like you have a bit setter setup issue.

Either you have bit setter turned on and you don’t have a bit setter.

Or you didn’t input the location of your bit setter correctly when setting up the machine configuration.

9

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