Z Probe Resets Z Calibration

X-Carve Troubleshooting
1

Alright, so I bought an x carve used, brought it home and set it up.

Calibrating the X and Y axis was pretty easy and so was the Z axis once I did it a few times. When I calibrated the Z axis the $102=50.5, so at that point everything to correct.

Using the Z probe, I go through the setup and as soon as I lift the Z probe to the bit to verify the connection, the $102 changes to $102=188.976. It has done this several times and it’s always this number.

I finish the Z probe setup, not knowing that the $102 has changed for some reason and the start the carve. The x carve goes to the X and Y Home and drives the bit all the way into the workpiece and into the waist board.

I’m at a loss at for what could be changing the settings during the job setup. I will say that I can manually set the Z height a paper thickness above the work piece and the carve is successful. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jeff

X Carve (older model that has been upgraded)
1000x1000mm
X Controller
C4N Z axis lift
Easel

Screen Shot 2021-03-27 at 12.46.55 PM

Screen Shot 2021-03-27 at 12.46.13 PM

2

The machine setup? Don’t do that after you change settings.
What kind of Z axis do you have? 50.5 is an unusual value for an X-carve…I think.

3

Note that there are two areas where actual travel can be adjusted, outside the mechanical aspects of the macine:

  • Microstep settings (Done on the driver side, usually by confuring a set of dip switches)
  • GRBL parameter ($102 in this case for Z)

Machine Setup is a one-time deal, once set there is no need to revisit it again.
Fine-tuning is done by editing whatever GRBL parameter is involved.

4

I apologize for the absence, I had a family issue I had to be present at. I will respond to everyone in a minute. Thank you for all the suggestions.

5

Yes, the machine setup. I’m not sure how often I need to do it. Do I run the setup each time I log in to the x-crave or easel? Will it remember the settings from the last time I used it even after I shut off the computer?

I have a C4N Z Axis Lift (6 inch. version)

7

Don’t run the setup again. Just change the settings you need to change and never mess with it again. The GRBL settings are stored in the controller, not your computer.

1 Like
8

I’ll have to look at those settings and let you know what I find out.

Yeah I wasn’t sure how often I had to run the machine set-up.

What I need is a written workflow of steps to take each time I start a new project. Anyone have something like that I can refernece?

9

Thank you…so unless easel ask me to run the set-up…don’t?

10

I still wouldn’t run it.
The question is why you’re being asked to run it over and over.

11

This is why I need a written workflow…understanding that I only need to run the machine setup once helps.

12

I checked the dip switches and they are correct.
I get to the GRBL settings through the Machine Inspector correct?

  • that’s how I corrected the Z axis calibration.
13

Yes.
Send $$ to see your settings.

14

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Screen Shot 2021-04-09 at 1.01.22 PM

This Carve was successful…but I kept checking to be sure that $102=50.5 (the calibrated z axis setting)

1 Like
15

It’ll stay that way until you run the setup again or explicitly change it

16

Thank you for your help…