[adamfromUK]

HI
I haven’t used my new CNC router since last year
Im trying to learn what I learned before but I need help
Last year I got cutting
Im using MACH3 and VCARVE
Im trying to cut a basic circle as im a bit rusty lol

Okay when I load the Gcode and Use the paper method to lower the Z axis

I then go on too MACH3 and ZERO All axis then I click cycle start! I presumed it would cut the hole straight away but the issue I have is

The Z Axis lifts way to high around 6cm then hits my Hard limit and stops MACH3 and I have to reset it after manually lowering the Z Axis
Do you know how to stop the Z Axis lifting so high???? Is it did in MACH3 Or is it my gcode via VCARVE?

Thanks, I always come back and update!

Adam

[mikejeffers]

HI
I haven’t used my new CNC router since last year
Im trying to learn what I learned before but I need help
Last year I got cutting
Im using MACH3 and VCARVE
Im trying to cut a basic circle as im a bit rusty lol

Okay when I load the Gcode and Use the paper method to lower the Z axis

I then go on too MACH3 and ZERO All axis then I click cycle start! I presumed it would cut the hole straight away but the issue I have is

The Z Axis lifts way to high around 6cm then hits my Hard limit and stops MACH3 and I have to reset it after manually lowering the Z Axis
Do you know how to stop the Z Axis lifting so high???? Is it did in MACH3 Or is it my gcode via VCARVE?

Thanks, I always come back and update!

Adam

This is most likely a program issue. Make sure your program has a G54 called out. Also make sure your program is calling a height offset for the correct too. For instance H1 for tool #1. Also, be certain that when you set your zero it is setting in the correct place within Mach3.

[dazp1976]

HI
I haven’t used my new CNC router since last year
Im trying to learn what I learned before but I need help
Last year I got cutting
Im using MACH3 and VCARVE
Im trying to cut a basic circle as im a bit rusty lol

Okay when I load the Gcode and Use the paper method to lower the Z axis

I then go on too MACH3 and ZERO All axis then I click cycle start! I presumed it would cut the hole straight away but the issue I have is

The Z Axis lifts way to high around 6cm then hits my Hard limit and stops MACH3 and I have to reset it after manually lowering the Z Axis
Do you know how to stop the Z Axis lifting so high???? Is it did in MACH3 Or is it my gcode via VCARVE?

Thanks, I always come back and update!

Adam

Could be to do with 'safe Z' height.
Or your 'machine' home position is out.

Machine home (0'0) and co-ordinate 0'0 are 2 different things.

[mactec54]

HI
I haven’t used my new CNC router since last year
Im trying to learn what I learned before but I need help
Last year I got cutting
Im using MACH3 and VCARVE
Im trying to cut a basic circle as im a bit rusty lol

Okay when I load the Gcode and Use the paper method to lower the Z axis

I then go on too MACH3 and ZERO All axis then I click cycle start! I presumed it would cut the hole straight away but the issue I have is

The Z Axis lifts way to high around 6cm then hits my Hard limit and stops MACH3 and I have to reset it after manually lowering the Z Axis
Do you know how to stop the Z Axis lifting so high???? Is it did in MACH3 Or is it my gcode via VCARVE?

Thanks, I always come back and update!

Adam

It will most likely be in your program where the problem is, so look at the first few lines of code and see what Z axis is doing you could cut and paste your program here

[LorenBMS]

My guess is you have a G53 (Machine coordinate system) z move being created, to move the z-axis to a safe height before the machine positions for x,y, and then will lower Z to start making your cut. IMHO you want that G53 move in the code so as not to crash the cutter into a clamp...etc. That will most likely be a setting in the post processor to add that move.

Does your machine home the z-axis with no problems? When setting your z zero for the program are you setting it as a WCS zero or a machine zero? What is your rapid travel rate for your z-axis ? You may be "over running" the limit switch/controller reaction time.

[machinehop5]

...Tool Length Offset value(s) missing " - " (minus) sign?

[routalot]

In Vcarve did you set the job with the bottom surface as the datum or did you select the top? It could be that the retract height from the bottom is being applied to a datum at the top and this would increase the Z height by the material thickness. I could be wrong,but it might be worth checking.

[adamfromUK]

SORRY!

I forgot to update this post!

Thanks for the tips!

Ive still to fix this issue!

I start from the top of the workpeace!

I was wanting to go into settings somewhere in MACH 3

And tell it too lift up say: 2" or 5cm

Before moving back down to the workpeace, it moves right up and almost bangs into the metal top plate (not good)


I have not set up any homing on the system yet guys! on the Z etc

I will mactec54 do what you say and upload code! soon

thanks for now

adam

[dazp1976]

SORRY!

I forgot to update this post!

Thanks for the tips!

Ive still to fix this issue!

I start from the top of the workpeace!

I was wanting to go into settings somewhere in MACH 3

And tell it too lift up say: 2" or 5cm

Before moving back down to the workpeace, it moves right up and almost bangs into the metal top plate (not good)


I have not set up any homing on the system yet guys! on the Z etc

I will mactec54 do what you say and upload code! soon

thanks for now

adam

That might be why then.
If you have no homing or soft limits set up the machines 0.0 position could be anywhere.
If you have any G28 codes in your G-code programs, Z will either hit the top or crash into workpiece/table.

Work coordinates and machine coordinates are 2 completely seperate things.
Safe Z may help if setup to 'work coordinates'

[dazp1976]

1. Your main problem is your limits. Like I sad before, your machine doesn't know where it's home is.
2. 2nd problem. When you start to run your program it's higly likely you have a line that says G28 G91 Z0 at the beginning. Well G28 is telling the machine to go home which is why your machine is moving to a random place (it thinks it's going home). You can work around this by opening the file in notepad, delete the line, replace it with G0 Zxx. You mentioned 2" so put that in.
It will now move Z, 2" up and then come down and start cutting.

[KeithMW]

Thanks dazp1976, I had the same problem for over a week now "router was working fine prior to that" Replaced G28 G91 Z0 with G0 Z50 (working in mm) as you suggested and back in business. Once again, many thanks.
Foxalien Masuter pro- Fusion 360