Recent Posts

21

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Simple question

« Last post by Lucid_moments on December 04, 2025, 12:59:41 AM »

Hi
once you have once you have set your zed 0 for the tool, your offset is now registered then you can just jog the Z axis up and connect your dust hood, and regenerate with new values. but if you would like it to have a fixed distance that is automated, the panel to the left to your touch off graphic user interface and the second variable down called retract distance is normally set at .1 in my case I'm using millimeters so you will note that normally when you 0 your tool it's rises 0.1 (of an inch or a millimeter just enough to get your your gauge block out

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing and tool change macros

« Last post by blazeeastern on December 03, 2025, 11:19:44 PM »

I wonder what control system you're using? Fanuc 0i / 16i / 18i / 21i?

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 stops the CNC, loses origin, don't run again...

« Last post by ben_mtl on December 03, 2025, 06:29:39 PM »

pictures of the CNC

24

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 stops the CNC, loses origin, don't run again...

« Last post by ben_mtl on December 03, 2025, 06:27:06 PM »

Soo.. today action :
- reinstall the old dust collection system to limit the source of the issues
- try to zero as I usually do :
   * Zero the X and Y using the classic function/command : it moves until it finds the limit "magnets", stops, sets "machine origins" to zero
   * Go manually towards my usual "ski zero", it's basically a .25" hole drilled to insert a 1/4" pin (ref for machining on board)
   * use my traditional setup to have the router bit axis (of a 1/4" bit) aligned precisely to my 1/4" hole / "ski zero"
   * This is my new "work zero"

Z is not important there
I note the X and Y "machine" values of this "work zero" position on a piece of paper.

I move the router manually, just to move it here and there, slow, fast, front, back, left, right...
Then I go back close to my machine zero and click "ref all homes". no problems.
No i ask to go to my "work zero", it moves, X is OK, Y is OFF a couple milimeters !!!

OK maybe I didn't wrote the right numbers..
Do everything again.. same result : X is OK, Y is off again

I checked if Y have some rattle or a loose "something", nope !
I try again, same problem !

What surprises me is X (with his 2 motors) is always OK and accurate... The issue seems to be only with Y.

... and that was just a process I've been using the last 15 years to start a project !

I didn't even try to cut anything today since I can see my Y is wrong...
Any idea ?

25

German / Frage zur Z-Probe

« Last post by mroschk on December 03, 2025, 12:05:45 PM »

Hallo,

ich habe ein kleines Verständnisproblem mit der Z-Probe.
Funktionieren tut das ganze, also ich habe den Pin eingestellt und dieses Z-Probe Tool:

https://cnconline.co.za/products/z-probe?srsltid=AfmBOop3wi4Xk8TtcF6d1260zrgMcgbTZ4hJlSRIaFPgNS1ZtH9UI-xJ

Das Tool stelle ich ja nun entweder auf das Werkstück oder auch auf das Fräsbett.
Aber wenn ich jetzt die Z-Probe mache, dann ist ja der Nullpunkt nicht auf meinem Werkstück, sondern an der Oberseite des Tools.
Wie genau mache ich das denn das der Nullpunkt am ende genau auf der Oberseite meines Werkstücks ist ??

Danke euch
Matthias

26

Mach4 General Discussion / Simple question

« Last post by MikeSibleyTN on December 03, 2025, 08:48:53 AM »

Sorry to bother you folks, but where does one set the z-axis height after using the touch plate?  It moves to a 1-inch height, and that is not sufficient to put the dust shoe on the machine.  I would prefer for it to move up to two or three inches, which would allow more convenient access for the dust shoe.

I am afraid to change anything without knowing exactly where that setting is located.

Mike

27

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 stops the CNC, loses origin, don't run again...

« Last post by ben_mtl on December 02, 2025, 08:26:50 PM »

Hello everyone !

I've been a CNC / Mach3 user for almost 15 years now ! Mach3 controls a home-made CNC.
As you might already think, I have issues... yes !
But first, a quick curriculum vitae so you understand why I'm asking questions here.
Oh and I'm french so sorry if it's hard to understand...

I've been taking care of my CNC from the beginning, reading and reading to find solutions when I had issues, and honestly it's been working like a charm for a 100% custom made CNC.
Last year I had to face a brain surgery (Myself, not the CNC  ) and since then it's really hard for me to figure out things in general.. and of course using and debugging a CNC is not really obvious... and it starts to make issues.. and I can't figure out what happens.
So here I am !

So as I said my machine has been working flawlessly for years, just a couple bearings to change here and there.
On my last project I'm facing a few issues :

-When machining yesterday, everything stopped randomly... it just stopped ! First time ever !
I still had power that's not the issue, the machine stopped (the router still spinning) and I couldn't control the cnc moves unless I restarted the computer. Then I could move the axis and re-zero everything to finish the cuts.

-Today I was machining a smaller piece. First sequence OK, I re-calibrate my Z axis (from top of the part to table 0 ) and start the 2nd sequence... Y axis is OFF !!! and when I stop all that, same issue as yesterday : I can't have the machine move, I have to restart everything !

And now I have no idea why but the distance from the "machine Zero", to the "Part Zero" is not the same as it was before. My "part zero" was X2.5 Y6 from the machine Zero because that's where I have some locating pins... not anymore ! Y is off, like 6.125" instead of 6.00" from machine zero ! (machine "zeroing" was done after the restart)

Any idea what could happen ? Of course I'm pretty sure I should give more details to have suggestions so feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
I'm just not thinking of everything as well as I used to...

Thanks a lot for any help !
Ben


PS. the only thing I think I changed is the dust collection, I had a DIY cyclone collector (made out of wood and acrylic pieces) and It's been replaced a couple weeks ago by a ONEIDA Dust Deputy Cyclone 4". It's way more efficient ! I noticed a lot of static on the Dust Deputy though, can it be the problem ? I never noticed any static with my old setup..

PPS. I'll go take a few pictures of my setup tomorrow

28

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Just a moment of your time. Establishing work offsets,

« Last post by Lucid_moments on December 02, 2025, 01:42:28 PM »

I've submitted a png file of the type of sensors I am using.

29

Mach4 General Discussion / Just a moment of your time. Establishing work offsets,

« Last post by Lucid_moments on December 02, 2025, 01:11:08 PM »

To the generous forum members, I hope this is not a tired subject.
The matter of the Offset Tab. Currently running Mach4Hobby build 4612 ESS 278.1

Let's just say I have been avoiding some key features due to my ignorance and lack of NFS documentation or tutorials.
To my credit, I have tried to understand various tasks possible on the Offsets Tab
I have to buckle down for some more serious work and requires my best efforts.
 
I am just working out the wrinkles after installing some new tool length sensors.
One will live on the fixture plate.
I need a helping hand to explain Height Offset, Set Tool and Set Z.
Specifically:  How to create the work or surface offset so that I can use the fixture plate mounted sensor to zero my tools.
                   How to set up the coordinates for the height gage to auto probe with new tool (Still in the manual mode with ER20 spindle)
             
                 
At present, I can use the Touch Off UI.
Though I am disappointed that each of the instances of Probe0,1,2,3 don't record and hold the individual settings specific to the device.
But I would like to be able to find the center of my raw stock, and have failed at every attempt to find an automated sequence.

I would even go as far as to offer an honorarium.

regards, chris

30

Mach4 General Discussion / Updating to latest build w/ regards to Probing feature

« Last post by Lucid_moments on December 02, 2025, 11:04:34 AM »

Hi folks,
I have been using Mach4 build 4612 with ESS plugin 278.1 and so far.
I'm running a 3 axis gantry mill that is now engaged in producing precision non ferrous parts.
I learned the hard way about improper tool height practices
and the need of using a tool height sensor that bolts to the fixture plate. I Have so much to learn about that and will post a separate question.
Is there any benefit to updating to 5036 and the associated ESS plugin? Are there any features that would be useful or run smoother?
Warp9 recommends this and I have some time to do just that.
best regards,

Chris