Issue with Z axis vertical movement / zeroing.

Mostly Printed CNC - MPCNC Troubleshooting
1

I just finished my build yesterday and this is the only thing I am having issues with.

Current config:
MPCNC with legs cut for 4” working height, Dewalt 660, and 8” cut all thread.
Software: Win7 64bit, ESTLCAM v 9.017, Repetier-Host 1.6.2.

In Estlcam I will set Z-Axis origin to “Machine Bed” in Basic Settings. F(z) is set to 8.5mm/s in the tool list. I set the Zero before making any changes other changes to the DXF file. I will then make all the cuts and save it as CNC Project. I set the material thickness and tool depth to proper settings.

I take the CNC project and load it up to Repetier. I manually move the mill to zero point and lower it to the “Machine Bed”. Once I hit print, the mill raises about two and half inches as if its rezeroing itself, and then begins the paths about an inch above the material. All is good if I raise the material off the bed by about an inch.

My question is how do I get the Z to zero at bed height?

2

Sounds like you are moving it with an lcd or other digital means. you will need to reset the arduino, or issue an m999 comand or put a zero command in your starting gcode (G92 X0 Y0 Z0). If you move it by hand it is already at zero.

The starting gcode is probably a good Idea, there are very few times it would screw things up. It is built into the fusion post processor and I have found it saved my butt a few times even just in testing.

3

Thanks, modifying the Gcode worked. I still have to use the manual controls in Repetier to get it to touch the bed, but otherwise everything looks good.