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IndustryArena Forum > Machine Controllers Software and Solutions > Mach Software (ArtSoft software) > Mach Mill > Pullin my hair out now! Z not working or missing steps
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    34

    Pullin my hair out now! Z not working or missing steps

    I have an early version of a sidewinder cnc w/ mach 3
    I just re set it up and am having one prob after another. My current problem is this. I went to run a simple 2.75 ring program( ran it at least 4 times the day before) after getting the machine going yesterday. The router is supposed to cut through 1/4" material and only cuts maybe a few thousanths before moving to the next outer circle.Mach 3 shows the correct depth per pass but the machine is not doing what mach thinks it is. I can see the z stepper motor trying to turn w no results. When I hit the stop button and move it up and down manually w/ the page up and down button it works fine.Can anyone help, hopefully its a simple fix, This machine is gonna put me in an early grave.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Try lowering the acceleration.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    34
    Hi Ger
    Thanks for the response. The g code written in cut 2d only calls for 1"/minute(very slow) or are you saying to alter it elsewhere?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    34
    I went under motor tuning reset the steps per inch to 2000 from 8000? , the velocity reads 60 ,accel was 6 and I reset to 3.
    I shut it down ,re started Mach 3 w/ the new settings and the Z screw only turns a tiny but on the plunges? Didnt help.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    34
    Anybody have any ideas w/respect to settings? I am dead in the water. It was not doing this the day before. It just started out of the blue and I havnt touched the Z axis?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    1114
    Are you by chance using the Gecko G540?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    34
    No, I dont believe so. This is a 1 1/2 year old sidewinder cnc.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    1114
    I had the same issue with my setup but i have the G540. I found a thread of an explainable reason that the G540 needs the "sherline mode" checked under general config. It opens the pulse width up to 40micro seconds. Maybe give that a try and see what happens.

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