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Where do I position the Z-axis endstop switch?

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Duncan Meyer, Oct 24, 2020.

  1. Duncan Meyer

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    Hi,
    As you can see from the attached photo, I'd like to have the Z-axis stop just shy of the Z-axis end plate. But I can't figure out where or how to position the end stop switch.

    I have a 16mm spoilboard, and I will mainly be cutting 18mm plywood, which doesn't give me many mm to play with. Every position i can think of makes the end stop switch protrude past the Z-axis end plate.

    Suggestions?

    Duncan 16035199128905000707469355304694.jpg
     
  2. Duncan Meyer

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    I also have one of the OB XYZ touch plates, but there's no room on top of the plywood to deploy it...
     
  3. Christian James

    Christian James Journeyman
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    Image from Workbee Build video.

    Z switch.jpg
     
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  4. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    I did it the hard way. I must not have been thinking clearly the other day. Maybe I should watch the assembly videos. :) Mine required grinding away a good portion of an aluminum right angle bracket...which is actually easy with a disk sander. At least it is a pretty shade of orange.
    DSC_0217.JPG
     
  5. Duncan Meyer

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    Hi,
    My switches are a different shape/size to the one showed in the build video. I've managed to get mine pretty darn close, but my soldering is something only a mother could love. So I've taken the chicken way out and ordered a few of the end-stop switches from the parts store. My next challenge is to test the full travel of the axes. So far I've got the X-axis travelling the full 1300mm, but have discovered that the cable management is way too tight at about 1250mm - so I'm repositioning them. I need the full 1300 x 1270 travel for the work I'm going.
     
  6. Ronald4418

    Ronald4418 Well-Known
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    You guy's really have me confused now. With Z-0 or Home Position being at the top of the Z-Travel Limit why would you need a Z-Limit Switch when the Controller Softwares Parameters are posted in the Configuration Files?
     
  7. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    I am not sure I understand your question. The z limit is put in a position to mark the top of the z travel for homing. If you do not have the switch, you can not home. I do not have any switches on my CNC mill, so I have homing disabled on that machine. I just jog to where I want to start cutting and set the XYZ zero there.
     
  8. Ronald4418

    Ronald4418 Well-Known
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    Well that's what I thought, I have my Z-Home Switch at the Top of my Travel Limit and the Total Z Travel registered in my GRBL File. Which is a Basic Soft Limit as I had used in Mach3 and or UCCNC. I then Probe at X-0, Y-0 and follow that with my Tool Setter Probe set at that point for My Z-0. I add in the clearance above Z-0 for my Rapids and start to cut. I thought I had it configured wrong for some reason after reading the above comments.
     
  9. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Sounds like you have it right to me.
     
  10. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Homing enables you to better utilise Machine Coordinates (for example Fusion360 uses machine coordinates for its Z Safe travel moves). Without switches you would have to "fake the home" and its a royal pain compared to having switches
     
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  11. Duncan Meyer

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    Hi,
    My question was related to where to physically attach the Z-stop so that its body clears the wheels, but the roller at the end of the switch arm makes good contact. I have had to position the switch at an angle, and add an extra screw to the bottom wheel. I'll post a picture shortly. It works, but looks messy. I was just wondering how other people do this.
     
  12. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See earlier reply above ^
     

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