First let me say: I have had the Masso equipped Elite with Z-20 z-slider and stiffeners for a couple years now. The setup and location has not changed in over 18 months. A dust extractor is run at all times that the CNC is in operation. Currently on the second set of brushes on the Carbide 3D router (changed them a couple months ago), I have never witnessed any evidence of electrical interference from anything. I have run the same set of files dozens of times.
Today, while running a file that normally takes approximately 5 hours to run, at the 45 minute mark I went to lubricate the rails, when I noticed that the Z axis had randomly run PART of the file at a measured 10.4mm deeper then it would normally, but then continued to run at regular expected depth afterwards. I am at a complete loss as to why it would have done that. I stopped the operation once I noticed the error.
I have checked: the tightness of the collet (for bit slippage - it was tight), all the fasteners on the Z axis (all are tight) along with the rest of the CNC (all tight), smooth operation of the Z axis (there is no binding or otherwise). The file being run was the one I wanted to run.
I am providing a photo. The neck on the work surface is the failure (you can see the extra 10.4mm taken out down it’s approximate centre line), and I have placed a successful neck next to it for comparison.
Does anyone have any ideas as to why the Elite would just seemingly randomly plunge like this? Any constructive ideas would be welcome.
Interesting idea. My only concern, is that I have a dedicated hose that hangs from the ceiling and is velcro’ed to the Z slider (but it’s relative position never changes), and so I’d be surprised if it’s doing that after 18 months? But stranger things happen I guess.
Maybe 4-5 times, I randomly get a drop in z of about 10-15mm after booting up. I haven’t noticed one during a run yet. So not static, I believe, as nothing was running. I switch off and on and start again to make sure things are good. It may be a very different cause.
I should add: I had been running the Elite for maybe 3 hours at that point, with the Z being reset with a puck after every tool change. I always wait for the process to start and make sure that everything appears to be in order before I leave for a time (even through ear protection - I can’t stand the sound of a CNC router doing its business for too long).
Thanks for this information. I have ordered a new set of cables, it makes sense (I was thinking it had to be a step motor not sending good data to the Masso, but the cables are more likely as the motors have been running just fine).
I had that problem with my Elite. 1F told me I needed a Z axis motor with a brake. That fixed it. They wouldn’t give me the motor even though newer Elites came standard with the upgraded motor so obviously they knew this was a problem.
I was under the impression that the Z brake step motor was only required when using 80mm routers, or other heavy setups, that show sag when powering off the Masso? I don’t believe my Z has ever moved when the Masso is powered off, even if/when left for a week or more. If I was using something larger than my 65mm router, I would 100% consider it. But when powered on, the step motors are very strong and seem to handle the weight just fine, moving with authority.
I am waiting for replacement cables (pricey!!!) as a loss of positioning signal makes the most sense to me as the cause of my sudden issue (again, its been fine for 18 months - running the same files, in the same location, with the same setup).
I have a 65mm spindle. Worked fine for 15-20 simple jobs then the Z started declining during carves. 1F told me their machine was warranted only for Makita routers, that spindles are heavier, therefore needed the brake. Since installing the motor with the brake, no problems.
I’m using the 2.2k Redline spindle, and have the z motor brake setup, without these loss of z problems, usually. Every couple dozen uses, if z-height isn’t set at the beginning of the day, just homed as usual (powered off day before, started work again next day with no need to adjust z for the pieces being cut), there’s a 1 - 3 mm surprise lower z height. I check for that now before beginning, just a quick visual if I don’t want to get out the touchprobe (I like to use polycrystalline diamond bits, which aren’t conductive). Related, I expect, is the emergency stop button use in the middle of a cut when things get wonky, and the usually temporary plunge by 2 mm of the bit into the wood as it comes to an immediate stop. The brake takes a quick second to lock in. Usually not a problem, if I was going lower than that in the piece anyway, but note that it is a way to ruin work, a tradeoff for hitting that button.
Hey, I had a similar problem with my BB controller (I thought) after 1f wanted a video we realized it was actually loosing on the way UP then plunging down after it lost position . They warrantied my BB but it did’t fix the problem . Neither did changing all the wires (my cost ). So I ordered all new stepper motors …… That fixed the issue .I put the old wires back on just to verify for myself and running good now . The motors that came were not the same as what was on my X50-pro but I was told to use the new ones .Don’t know if this helps with your machine or not .
