Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Jimchi52 on November 18, 2015, 03:57:33 PM
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I am setting up a new machine and wondering what I should set the safe z at.Is that the distance to stay above your clamps.My other machine is set to -0.5.
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A safe Z value should be positive with the top of the workpiece as Z=0. As to height, it should clear any clamps and fixtures. It is entirely dependent on setup and will vary according to workpiece, jigging and tool length.
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To be as safe as possible, Mach3's Safe Z setting should be set to use machine coordinates, and should be a small negative value, which would place it just below the home switch.
If you don't use machine coordinates for Safe Z, then your Safe Z location will change depending on where your Z zero is currently set.
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Safe Z can keep you from crashing but it can also be a huge time waster. Especially on a hobby machine that does not move terribly fast. So I sometimes have it at 0.050" above the part, and sometimes several inches above the part. My machine has an 18" Z, moving to the maximum Z every time for safety would take forever!