Loosing Z-hight

Software Carbide Motion
1

Hi there,

i had now several times the problem that after i started a program the Z-hight got lost…

That happened alwas at the start of the program.
Starting the program (double and triple checked the X-Y-Z zero) put in the right bit go to the bitsetter (you can watch approximately the Z-zero running trough while the bitsetting procedure) it still got the right Z! Then starting the Spindel and then it happens!!! The right Z-zero disappears and the spindl runs with full speed in your workpiece!
The Z always falls about -100mm sometimes about -20 or something but its always toooo low…!

Has anyone had this issue??

(Shapeoko 3 Standard, PCB 2.4e, Bitsetter V1)

Thanks for your help…

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2

Upon the first power up and initialization the bit setter cannot set the Z-Zero as it doesn’t know where the top of your work piece is. You still need to set the Z-Zero directly from your work piece the first time. After this the bit setter will perform as intended.

Only saying this as I didn’t see you mention this explicitly.

1 Like
3

If you are doing everything in the correct sequence, using the Carbide Motion interface:

  • power up and initialize
  • allow BitSetter to measure tool (ideally the probing pin you will be using to set zero)
  • setting zero relative to stock (using a probing pin if using a BitZero)
  • load and run file
  • changing to first tool when prompted, allowing BitSetter to measure it

then the lost Z-axis height is either a mechanical issue, or an electrical one.

  • make sure that the safety/retract height isn’t greater than the movement area above where zero is set
  • make sure that nothing mechanically interferes w/ the machine movement
  • make sure that the Z-axis motor coupler on your HDZ is secure
  • make sure that the linear rails for the Z-axis are properly lubricated
  • make sure that the wiring is in good condition and all connectors secure

If you don’t find anything obvious to address, let us know at support@carbide3d.com and we’ll do our best to assist.

c.f.,

https://carbide3d.com/blog/unexpected-z-axis-plunges/

4

Hi Nick,

thank you for your explanation, this happen even when zero is properly set on the workpiece.

Cheers

5

Hi Will,

this i have lubricated everything new
also have done new cables (all shielded) and it happened before and after the new cables… motor coupler is tight and nothing mechanical interferes….
What do you mean with the safety hight?
Do you mean the safety hight in the CAM???
Can you explain this a little for me?!

Thank you!

6

Yes, safety height in CAM — if it’s set to a greater distance than the machine can travel from where it is calculated relative to zero and the stock thickness the machine will lift up to it, well try, lose steps at the top, then think it is higher than it is, and plunge commensurately deeper.

7

Okay, this is definitely not the problem,
it happened while i wanted to do some rel. thin workpiece (4-12mm) safety hight in my CAM is always between 10-20mm…
I’had this issue several times, but never two times on the same gcode… what i do when Z crashes: pause and stop, check zero on the workpiece, (it was always correct (±0,025mm)) then start the same gcode again, it went always perfect trough the code on the second try without any changes in the gcode(CAM)…

It happens also just at the beginning, i’m running gcodes with 4-5 toolchanges and if the first tool runs good all the toolchanges working without any Z issues

i’m quiet clueless…

8

If you don’t find anything obvious to address, let us know at support@carbide3d.com and we’ll do our best to assist.

9

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