Warning! Z axis forward!

[Tom Curran]

I am running CNC Lite in a vertical mill, and every time I try to run a new program, I get 'Z axis forward' and the drives quit. What am I doing wrong?

I ran some older programs, and they work. But the newer program WILL NOT. I went thru and eliminated what I thought might be problems, but I am completely confused.

Tom


Just so you know, my spindle upper limit is 5.5" and the lower limit is 0"
I suspect this may have something to do with the problem.

Here is the beginning of a program that RUNS:

% N10 T5 M6 N20 G90 S1500 M3 N30 G0 X-6.5 Y.2125 Z.1 M8 N40 G1 Z-.375 N50 G1 X-6.0899 F5. N60 G3 X-5.003 Y-.0758 I1.4335 J3.2117 N70 G1 Y-.2145 N80 X-4.931 N90 Y-.8575 N100 X-4.214 N110 Y-.2145 N120 X-4.142 N130 Y-.0758 N140 G3 X-3.0551 Y.2125 I-.3466 J3.4999 N150 G1 X-1.5174 N160 G3 X-.4305 Y-.0758 I1.4335 J3.2117 etc.

Here is one that will NOT run:

% N10 T1 M6 N20 G17 G80 G40 N40 S1000 M3 N50 G90 G0 X0. Y-.1 M8 N60 Z.1 (Machine drives quit right here) N70 G1 Z-.028 F5. N80 G1 Y1.01 N90 G0Z.1 N100 Y-.1 N110 Z.072 N120 G1 Z-.056 N130 G1 Y1.01 N140 G0 Z.1 N150 Y-.1 N160 Z.044 N170 G1 Z-.084

[69owb]

Sometimes the control doesn't like it if you don't have G00 or a G01 in front of your X,Y,or Z position

[Karl_T]

Originally Posted by Tom Curran I am running CNC Lite in a vertical mill, and every time I try to run a new program, I get 'Z axis forward' and the drives quit. What am I doing wrong?...

You got me scratching my head... Is this some window that pops with the warning? or a message in the gcode window?

"Z axis forward" would be a limit switch normally, but I doubt we're looking at that based on your description. Just to make sure, you don't have soft limits set up do you?

Comparing the two programs I see the trouble is caused at a small G0 move in Z that you don't have in the other program. Like any issue, you got to narrow things down to isolate the problem.

Look at these things and maybe ask Camsoft tech. support.

Karl

[Tom Curran]

I'll try the G0 in front of the Z move. That may very well be it.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Tom

[Tom Curran]

Just as an update, I have my tech guy here today, and he got the software limits set up properly on my Z.

STill had touble with my Z axis.
So I sent a copy of the program to Camsoft Tech support. They advised me to put a Z code in the line N50. worked like a charm.

What I had:

N50 G90 G0 X0. Y-.1 M8

What I changed it to:

N50 G90 G0 X0. Y-.1 Z1. M8

[Karl_T]

Originally Posted by Tom Curran So I sent a copy of the program to Camsoft Tech support. They advised me to put a Z code in the line N50. worked like a charm.

Ya sure, Those guys at Casoft are smart. This makes sence. z is a variable in your gcode. When you don't specify it and make a G0 (or other) move, it will go to the z value. Only gets you on the first move of the program. Or, right after a tool change.

Karl