Hi all I am far new to cnc ing. When I set my Z 0 in the work Cor and run a gcode it is supposed to go to -.001 to start cutting.  When I hit the start button the machine moves away up in the z+ direction and I have to hit the stop button.  Can anyone tell me why or is there a setting that I have to change. Another thing is that when I push go the z the x and y move first and I want the z to move first how do I change this.

Check your gcode theres prob a retract height set by the cam program to start from.

DazTheGas

Maybe I didn't say it right. But if something happens and I want everything to go to zero I want the z to move first

Not sure if you mean the goto zero, if so look in the screen load script for

---------------------------------------------------------------
-- Go To Work Zero() function.
---------------------------------------------------------------
function GoToWorkZero()
    mc.mcCntlMdiExecute(inst, "G00 X0 Y0 A0")--Without Z moves
    --mc.mcCntlMdiExecute(inst, "G00 G53 Z0\nG00 X0 Y0 A0\nG00 Z0")--With Z moves
end
DazTheGas

Is that how to get Z to move first when go to zero is called? If so how do I get to that page.

What I am saying is that as of now when I hit the go to zero button the Y&X move and go to zero. Then the Z axis moves to zero last. I need the Z to move first before the other axis so it clears the work piece.

From the main screen menu bar click on Operator->Edit Screen - this will open up the screen editor.

On the top left you will see the Screen Tree Manager, Highlight the uppermost in the tree.

Below in the properties tab click on the second icon with the thunderbolt through it.

From there you should see 4 scripts and the uppermost is the Screen Load Script, click this to reveal a button that loads the script in an editor.

You will need to be on line 204

change the gcode to what you require the goto 0 to do.

DazTheGas

Thanks I am new to this. I will need all the help I can get thanks

I tried to edit my screen but I can't get to the menu screen when I push the button Noth happens. Another problem that I am having is I keep getting a false e stop while trying to run a gcode or while running the code it stops responding and it freezes up. I have to restart the code running from the very start.any ideas what can be done to fix my problems.

First, please confirm that you are running Mach4.  And what version of Mach4 are you running (go to Help->About)?  I ask only because I see other posts from you in March that mention Mach3. 

Second - what motion device/plug-in are you using?  Darwin parallel port?  Ethernet SmoothStepper? PMDX SmartBOB? PoKeys?  Something else?

"false estop" - when this happens are there any messages in the status line in the lower left of the Mach4 screen? Can you click on the "History" button and see any messages there?

Bob