Adjusting the Z-Axis during job setup

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1

With the Shapeoko 2 one can manually adjust the Z-Axis during job setup (to set the Z zero point) by either grabbing the flexible connector (awkward, but works) or by installing a knob for the stepper motor.

I like the looks of the new clean Z motor mounting, but I don’t see how you adjust the Z-axis manually, especially if you have screwed on a top cover. What would it take to add a flexible coupling to one of the posts (either off the motor or the Acme or all-thread) and have it poke out of the top of the cover to mount a knob to it?

Or is there a better way that is already designed in that I am missing?

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I have a Shapeoko 2 with a knob on my Z axis Nema 17 stepper. I use to use it quite a bit to get my bit down to zero/material height before starting a job since I’m not using a probe plate. Then, I stopped. I now use the keyboard controls to move the 3 axis around using universal gcode sender 1.08. PG Up/PG Down controls the Z axis movement, and I usually have it setup to move in .5mm increments.

I stopped mostly because my system is currently setup to power everything on at the same time but keep the spindle at 0 RPM until the pot tells it otherwise. Moving any of the axis in this state felt like I was doing it wrong since you can feel the resistance and lost steps. So, instead of unhooking the 24v power, I started using universal gcode keyboard controls. Once at my desired position, i’d disconnect the arduino, reconnect, and reset zero.

3

Right now, the best way is to jog it around using your keyboard and the control software, it’s a little difficult to rotate the pulley manually. We expect to have a hand-adjustable solution eventually, and probably someone will design a 3D printable solution and post it to thingiverse before we get it done :smile:

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