Recent Posts

71

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 ?

72

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

73

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

74

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

75

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.

76

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

77

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

78

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with control system

« Last post by Gareth52 on December 02, 2025, 10:49:11 AM »

thanks. i bought a smooth stepper , as you suggested

79

General Mach Discussion / setting a tool indexer on a mach 3 lathe

« Last post by bimble on December 02, 2025, 04:02:31 AM »

Hi Group

I have a mach 3 controller running on a small lathe. it is not currently set up with limit switches on the auto indexer, and sometimes when switched on the indexer is in the wrong position.

is there a way to simply tell Mach 3 which tool is currently set at the indexer?
i.e if tool 8 is at the right position, but mach 3 thinks it is tool 2, then how do i update it in the software so mach 3 knows what tool is where?

Currently the only way i can change this is to hold the indexer back while it is rotating, fortunately it is on a small stepper motor so it just slips position, but i don't like doing this and there should be a way to do this in the software..

80

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: gouging on rotary axis

« Last post by vetsgarage on December 01, 2025, 10:29:30 PM »

I think I found a work-around. In Vcarve I put a vector boundary around the "unwrapped" part with a negative offset equal or greater than the bit diameter. I think this kept the toolpath from going off the map. When I was having gouging problems the vcarve simulation showed the bit carving a tiny bit on the left of the part and then it picked up carving on the right. When I added the boundary offset it completed the entire area without lifting. The toolpath created with the boundary offset cut fine.

I still think there is a setting in Vcarve or Mach 4 that would prevent this entirely.