I am completely new to CNC. I have used 3D Printing for a while now, but can’t seem to figure out how to home my Z axis. I have read several posts in the forum saying not to worry about setting X and Y home, but when I try to set Z Home I get a “set XYZ first” message.
If I try to set X and Y the machine tries to travel far away from where I want to set the X or Y.
From my understanding, I am to hit the reset button and it will zero out XYZ, but when I start back up I have to set the Z again and can’t do so without setting X and Y. What am I missing?
A vast majority do not home the LowRider. Resetting the board or using the instructions at the bottom of the LowRider page (some code) are how we do it.
To set x, y, z, you should use G92 X0 Y0 Z0. G28 is for homing, not for setting the current position. If you’re trying to probe Z without homing X,Y, then there’s something else you can try.
Ok I see now. Should I also be adding lines of code in between parts that are being cut so that the bit doesn’t cut into my work?
I used G92 X0 Y0 Z0 to zero out everything and it works, however, the router drags the bit over my work. I remember reading about this problem on the forum, but not sure what to do. Would I add a line to zero out the Z axis before each “new section” is cut?
I’m just making a test cut with two holes and a contour. If you notice in the picture the bit drags across my piece. How do I stop it from doing that? I am using Estlcam.
At the end of each “section” of gcode should be a line like this:
G00 Z2.0000 F480
G00 - is the Axis it wants to move
Z2.0000 - says move the Z Axis in the Positive direction 2 units
F480 - is the speed at which to move
This command line says to raise the Z axis 2 units. This should be put in the code by ESTLCam for you.
You should also have G90 at the top of your code which says to use Absolute Positioning. What this does is then if you give it the G00 Z2.000 command it will move up 2.000 from where it is. If you are using Relative Positioning (G91), then it means move up 2 units from your Home position. You should be using Absolute, it makes things a lot easier when you are trying to read and debug your code.
I’m just figuring this stuff out myself and it takes a little while to get used to.
Can you post your GCode? That will let us know what is happening but it doesn’t look like it has the command I listed above. After saving the gcode in ESTLCam are you then open it in Repetier host to take a look at it?
Thanks for all your help guys! I hadn’t set all of my speeds correctly in Estlcam and the G92 line solved the Z height problem. Time to start cutting and building!
I believe the words you wanted to search on were ‘Clearance Plane’, You set that in Estlcam to have the bit lifted up to a safe position before non-cutting moves.
