Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Pugman1 on March 27, 2021, 07:11:47 AM

Title: Z axis is adding steps during cut.
Post by: Pugman1 on March 27, 2021, 07:11:47 AM

Hi, I am not sure this is a mach3 problem or not. My machine as now started to play up on the z axis. During a cut it starts to add steps. If I start the cut at zero on the face of the material, during the cut the z axis will add steps. If I stop the cut and return to zero, the machine will go back fine on the x,y axis, but z will drop 20mm. I have checked the motor connection to the bull screw and that’s ok. The cutter is not moving from the spindle. I am using a car-labs smooth stepper. Anyone have any ideas. Thanks, michael

Title: Re: Z axis is adding steps during cut.
Post by: ZASto on March 27, 2021, 08:48:58 AM

You have wrong polarity of step pulses.
Change the active state of Step polarity and swap wires on one phase of your stepper motor and try. :)

Title: Re: Z axis is adding steps during cut.
Post by: Pugman1 on March 27, 2021, 09:49:48 AM

Hi, not sure if that will work, the z axis did work find before, could it be something else. Tomorrow I am going to retire the whole machine. And plan to swap then x axis stepper controller for the z to see if it could be a could be a unit breaking down. And replace the z axis motor with a new one I have. Will get back once this is done.

Title: Re: Z axis is adding steps during cut.
Post by: ZASto on March 27, 2021, 12:38:23 PM

If earlier all was ok, then check mechanics, i.e. couplings, ...

Title: Re: Z axis is adding steps during cut.
Post by: Pugman1 on March 27, 2021, 01:16:04 PM

Hi. I have checked all the fittings. I have now replaced the original motor with a closed loop set up I had laying around, but can only get the motor driving in one direction.