Z Axis - BitZero + BitSetter Tip

CNC Machines Shapeoko
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From a long time owner, let me share some advice if you ever encounter a situation where you think the measurement of the bitZero and/or bitSetter didn’t work.

My normal routine is I start by using the [bitZero] (BitZero V2 for Shapeoko - Carbide 3D) to find my starting X, Y and Z positions. With the update to Carbide Motion, the machines next step is to then go to the BitSetter and measure the Z axis height of your bit so it can complete its calculations…

On my machine, that means I am usually on the left side of this picture putting the BitZero back in its caddy as the machine is moving over to the BitSetter on the right side…

IMG_20241119_131002
IMG_20241119_1310021920×1440 183 KB

… the timing of these events can lead to trouble. If I am slow, and still messing with the magnetic ground for the BitZero as the BitSetter is trying to measure the bit, know that THIS CAUSES A FALSE MEASUREMENT. It’s total human error, the BitZero and BitSetter use the same circuit (I know that term is probably wrong) but touching the ground on the BitZero while the BitSetter is trying to measure the bit causes the false measurment.

So if you ever have a “what the hell just happened, this always works?” situation, this may be the cause of it. I’ve had my Shapeoko 3 over 4 years and I’m still prone to cause this error. I don’t blame the update to Carbide Motion, but know that the updated work flow tightens the timing between these two events, so at least for me it makes me more likely to cause the false measurement.

I don’t know if this is still true of the Shapeoko 4 or 5, but I thought I would share the information just in case.

1 Like
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Point taken…good to know. On another note… that enclosure looks awesome!

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Thank you for this good information @ColdCoffee. I too use a Shapeoko 3 that is standard sized. I have long suspected something like this but could never quite nail it down. The unplanned movement and descent of the Z axis through the workpiece has occurred enough times for me to supect that there is a conflict between BitZero and BitSetter. I cannot find the conflict but before I purchased BitSetter, all of my BitZero measurements were accurate and reliable.

When both aids are used on a project, the unplanned descent of the Z axis through what is usually the whole depth of the workpiece is an event I have experienced on several unhappy occasions. I now do not use either aid but reliably manage with a piece of paper and endmill touch off for a single cutter. I use setup blocks (like those illustrated at the link) to find the top of the stock when I want to use multiple cutters.