# Z axis drops at the beginning of the project **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [March 11, 2024, 11:39am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-axis-drops-at-the-beginning-of-the-project/25859 "2024-03-11T11:39:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yusuke620](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3e96dc/32.png) [@Yusuke620](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Yusuke620)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 11:39am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-axis-drops-at-the-beginning-of-the-project/25859/1 "2024-03-11T11:39:20Z")
I have the original 1F woodworker and controller. The issue I’m having is that when i start a file the Z will drop a couple of MM on its way to the first position to start the peoject in doing so it carves a groove into the surface. I use Carbide Create and asked in the forums there because i thought it might me a G code issue but several people looked at the file i used and said nothing in the file is making it do that. A few months ago the joypad started making my Z go up or down drastically when the joypad disconnected from the controller. I feel like this has something to do with the controller. Has anyone had this issue before? I am using the makita router. ---
**Author:** ![349iq2345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/bb73d2/32.png) [@349iq2345](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/349iq2345)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 11:45am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-axis-drops-at-the-beginning-of-the-project/25859/2 "2024-03-11T11:45:13Z")
Hey James, sounds like the [Z axis plunge](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/search?q=z%20axis%20plunge) issue. Maybe [this](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/x50-z-axis-randomly-plunges-into-piece/18727/2) and [this](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/my-x35-woodworker-seems-to-have-developed-a-mind-of-its-own/19306/2) will help you. ---
**Author:** ![Yusuke620](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3e96dc/32.png) [@Yusuke620](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Yusuke620)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 12:17pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-axis-drops-at-the-beginning-of-the-project/25859/3 "2024-03-11T12:17:15Z")
Its possible its a wiring issue but i have checked them already with a multimeter. I also have had a drag chain setup for the last few years and no longer use the Z curly cable. ---
**Author:** ![349iq2345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/bb73d2/32.png) [@349iq2345](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/349iq2345)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 12:29pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-axis-drops-at-the-beginning-of-the-project/25859/4 "2024-03-11T12:29:53Z")
> [@Yusuke620](#): > > I feel like this has something to do with the controller. it is unlikely that it is the controller; when such errors were reported, it was always a cable or connector issue. Sometimes a multimeter doesn’t help as the error may be present in one moment and have disappeared in the other. It seems you have wrong signals on the stepper, so I would check the cables and connectors by replacing or exchanging them. It could also be a [EMI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interference) issue because the Onefinity stepper cables are not shielded. Heavy sources of EMI are the router’s carbon brushes (over the air, by design), or a not properly shielded, grounded and bonded spindle/VFD (or machine). See [spindle cable](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/where-to-get-spindle-cable/20099) and [spindle cable](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/trusted-shielded-16-3-and-16-4-suppliers/12251/17)). But I would think of the stepper motor cables or connectors first. > [@Cable Management and EMI avoidence](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/cable-management-and-emi-avoidence/23492/2): > > To not only prevent [EMI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interference) but also to comply [EN/IEC 60204-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60204) safety standard, the machine has to be [electrically bonded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_bonding) and [grounded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthing_system). Here the links with the relevant information on how to do this: > > - **[Proper Grounding; How have you grounded your frame?](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/proper-grounding-how-have-you-grounded-your-frame/12331/22)** > - **[Material and Tools needed to ground your Onefinity CNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/where-to-get-spindle-cable/20099/8)** > - **[Static electricity in a router](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/static-electricity-in-a-router/22789/2)** ---
**Author:** ![Yusuke620](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3e96dc/32.png) [@Yusuke620](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Yusuke620)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-axis-drops-at-the-beginning-of-the-project/25859/5 "2024-03-11T12:45:12Z")
You have a good point. It only happens in the first few seconds of a project starting and im unable to check the wiring then. EMI could definitely be an issue.