This is a new problem that just showed up while milling some polycarbonate. I am running carbide motion build 656. When I manually jog the spindle over the left corner of my work piece I am not allowed to lower the z dimension close enough to touch the top of the work piece.
I even tried rapid position, commanding it to rapid to current z and allowing it to measure the bit first. It still will not allow me to jog the bit low enough to set my starting position. Ideas?
How low is the spindle in the mount?
How short is the tool which you are using?
Post a photo showing the stock and the spindle and the tool in situ?
The machine stops about 3mm short of touching the surface of the workpiece. I even tried loosing the mount and forcing the spindle down low enough to touch, then zeroing everything. This worked initially, but reverted to 3mm above the workpiece again today, as if measuring the tool instantly reset it to this arbitrary maximum z dimension.
I am currently reinstalling CM 656 and sending configurations to the machine again to see if it helps.
hThat looks like the Z axis is already close to the travel limits. You can just lower the spindle in the spindle mount a bit.
I’m on it!
Lowering the spindle now to reach the aluminum track for good measure. Letting Bit Setter find the tool length again and now it seems to be working. The true test will be a repeat cut tomorrow morning when I reload the software and insert a new piece of material.
Be sure to reset your zero in Z after you change the spindle height.
@robgrz
I think you were spot on. That short 1/8" bit wasn’t reaching the workpiece and the machine didn’t want to travel that low. After lowering the spindle and resetting zero everything cut perfectly. Hopefully that fixes it for good!
You may have to move it again if you are working on very thick stock.
Just remember to reset the z height.
The VFD Install manual has the spindle installation height on page 10. Since yours is already installed I seem to remember the measurement being about 3.5" from the bottom of the collet nut to the bottom of the mount. That’s where I put mine and haven’t had any issues with any endmill length.
https://guides.carbide3d.com/files/pdf/VFD_Spindle_Kit_v1.pdf
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