Please help! Tool Stays about 3mm Above Aluminum Surface After Zeroing

I’m using Fusion 360 to generate G-code for my CNC (Nomad 3) with a tool set as 0.6mm in diameter. I’ve carefully calibrated the Z-zero point by touching off the aluminum block surface. However, when running the job, the tool consistently stays about 3mm above the aluminum surface, making no contact during cutting.

Here’s what I’ve already tried:

  1. Verified the tool length below holder in Fusion 360 (set to 24mm, actual is 26.40mm, and I’ve corrected this).
  2. Double-checked Top and Bottom Height settings in Fusion 360 (Top Height = Stock Top, Offset = 0mm; Bottom Height = Model Bottom, Offset = 0mm).
  3. Regenerated G-code after these corrections.
  4. Manually set the XYZ zero point on the Nomad 3 to the aluminum surface.
  5. Tried using BitZero v2 Probing to set the zero point.

Despite these steps, the tool still hovers about 3mm above the surface. Could this be related to Fusion 360 settings, my G-code issue? My CNC Nomad 3 is brand new. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Did you double check the box point in the setup?

Yes, I did it. Thank you for your help!

Odd. Maybe post your file?

I have a Shapeoko 5, so I’m not familiar with the Nomad. But, fusion should behave the same for all machines. And your actual stock matches the model in fusion (I’m sure it is, but worth double checking)?

This is the second post within a week describing an unwanted 3mm offset. Seems like a funny coincidence to me!

1 Like

Hi Wilson,

Thank you for your help! I double-checked that the stock size matches the model in Fusion, and I also verified the tool size setup. Despite these steps, the tool still hovers about 3mm above the surface during cutting.

I’m using a Nomad 3 CNC with aluminum stock, and the cutting tool diameter is 1mm.

I’ve attached a screenshot of the Fusion 360 settings. Could you help me figure out what might be causing this issue? I really appreciate your time and help!









I thought the same thing when i logged in this morning and the top two unreads were from diff people about the z being off the same way