# Z differences when resuming long programs **URL:** \ **Category:** Elite Series (Masso & Redline) (Gen 1)\ **Created:** [October 23, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936 "2025-10-23T16:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/1 "2025-10-23T16:27:57Z")
Ever since I started trying to do very long programs that required multiple days (20-80 hours total), I’ve noticed problems with Z-height changing after resuming a file. When it happens, which is almost always, It’s always significantly lower than when I stopped it, sometimes nearly 1/16”. I am running the Elite Journeyman with stiffy, Masso, QCW, Redline spindle, and using the tool setter to automatically measure the tool on startup. As the file runs, over 3-4 hours the Z height seems to raise up very slowly, to the point that it’s not cutting all the way through the material any more, and you can see a very gradual height gradient in the material. ![Height Gradient](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/3X/d/6/d6cc83764026797fc7771f9b02556f36677b2901.jpeg) I have the braking motor for the Z axis, but I’ve noticed that it always drops by maybe 3/16” every time the e-stop is hit or the machine is turned off. I figured this would be compensated for by the tool setter, so I ignored it, but maybe that’s part of the problem. I first thought humidity / temp changes might be an issue, so I put a dehumidifier and AC unit in the shop, and started to keep it very consistent, and also swapped out my MDF spoilboard for expanded PVC, but none of this has had any effect on the issue at all. Both spoilboard and material are always surfaced before running the files as well. Results of most recent attempt: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iwlNHznV-8c](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iwlNHznV-8c) After installing the PVC I started this long program, ran it for 6 hours, by the end of which it wasn’t cutting through the material anymore (but weirdly, only at the edges..). Then resumed it 6 days later and the height was back down, and cutting through again. After 4 hours it wasn’t cutting through. The next day I resumed, had another height drop, though not as significant, and ran it almost until the end. Then I tried resuming the file immediately after shutting down to see what happened, and the height dropped right away, so now I’m pretty thoroughly confused. Any ideas? Just replace the Z motor? ---
**Author:** ![Diesel\_ss](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/diesel_ss/32/29544_2.png) [@Diesel\_ss](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Diesel_ss)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/2 "2025-10-23T16:32:29Z")
Is it always on one side ? That picture sure looks like you have an issue with your X axis. ---
**Author:** ![OnefinityCNC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/onefinitycnc/32/7_2.png) [@OnefinityCNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/OnefinityCNC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/3 "2025-10-23T16:35:38Z")
Can you reverse the toolpath from right to left and see if it does the same thing? Are you keeping the machine on for this carve or powering off and using the jump to line feature? Do you have a breaking motor on your z? What firmware is on your masso? What are your masso dip switches set to? ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/4 "2025-10-23T16:35:41Z")
That’s just where the program starts near X/Y 0, and it continues at a 45 degree angle from left to right. It seems to be a function of time, not axis so wherever it begins is always where it’s the deepest. The height drop always occurs exactly wherever I start it. I could try starting with the origin on the opposite side, but I’m pretty sure I would just get a reversed gradient. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/5 "2025-10-23T16:38:52Z")
I can try that, but I think it will just be a gradient in the opposite direction. I have the braking motor for z. It drops a bit on e-stop or power off, but I thought the tool setter would compensate for that. I’ll have to check on the dip switches, but everything was set per the video instructions, and I never seem to have any problems with short files. I think my firmware is 5.10. I always power off, reload the program, and use jump to line when resuming, usually picking 10-20 lines prior to where it stopped. ---
**Author:** ![OnefinityCNC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/onefinitycnc/32/7_2.png) [@OnefinityCNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/OnefinityCNC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/6 "2025-10-23T16:56:32Z")
Do you also home on bootup? Ensure you are on 5.12 (latest), dip switch 1,4,5 on/up and 2,3,6 down off. Then reload the defaults here: > [@Elite Series Masso Default Machine Settings](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/elite-series-masso-default-machine-settings/17451): > > Elite Series Masso Machine Settings: (updated: 11/3/25) Part 1, 2, and 3 must be done in order. :one:Part 1: Firmware Before performing the two steps below, ensure the Masso firmware is 5.13 or later ([Click Here to learn how to update your firmware, which is different than the below config reset](https://docs.masso.com.au/getting-started-guides/installing-masso/loading-software-to-masso-touch)) :down\_arrow:Watch the video below to learn how to update the firmware of the Masso Controller down_arrow[[Load software on your MASSO Touch - MASSO Top Tip 6] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jgQOGZrI8M) Loading these settings w… That way we’ll be certain you have everything is as it ships from the factory today and has a good baseline to start with. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/8 "2025-10-23T17:19:06Z")
I do home on bootup. I am on 5.10 which I was using since I didn’t think 5.12 was good with the toolchanger, but since I’m not using that anymore, I will go ahead and upgrade to 5.12 tomorrow when I have some time in the shop, and will reload the defaults then too. I checked my Z dip switches, and they were set according to this part of the motor resolution video (1, 4 off, 2,3,5,6 on) is that obsolete now? [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/3X/4/b/4becefd16507351fc45de6a324dcdbceb6a80cb9.jpeg "Onefinity Elite Series Masso Motor Resolution Update Service Bulletin Video") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylV2Z9C3U_o&t=34) ---
**Author:** ![OnefinityCNC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/onefinitycnc/32/7_2.png) [@OnefinityCNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/OnefinityCNC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/9 "2025-10-23T17:25:57Z")
Great! Yes, you’ll want to have them like this: dip switch 1,4,5 on/up and 2,3,6 down off. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/10 "2025-10-23T17:26:38Z")
Ok that’s for all motors right? ---
**Author:** ![OnefinityCNC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/onefinitycnc/32/7_2.png) [@OnefinityCNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/OnefinityCNC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/11 "2025-10-23T17:26:50Z")
Correct, all motors should be the same ---
**Author:** ![OnefinityCNC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/onefinitycnc/32/7_2.png) [@OnefinityCNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/OnefinityCNC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/12 "2025-10-23T17:27:08Z")
> [@Elite Series Masso Default Machine Settings](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/elite-series-masso-default-machine-settings/17451/1): > > Elite Series Masso Machine Settings: (updated: 11/3/25) Part 1, 2, and 3 must be done in order. :one:Part 1: Firmware Before performing the two steps below, ensure the Masso firmware is 5.13 or later ([Click Here to learn how to update your firmware, which is different than the below config reset](https://docs.masso.com.au/getting-started-guides/installing-masso/loading-software-to-masso-touch)) :down\_arrow:Watch the video below to learn how to update the firmware of the Masso Controller down_arrow[[Load software on your MASSO Touch - MASSO Top Tip 6] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jgQOGZrI8M) Loading these settings w… ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/13 "2025-10-23T17:27:37Z")
Ok thanks. I’ll set everything up tomorrow, and try again from there. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/14 "2025-10-24T20:01:03Z")
> Ensure you are on 5.12 (latest), dip switch 1,4,5 on/up and 2,3,6 down off. Ok, upgraded to 5.12. Just wanted to confirm per the link you provided, that the dip switches should actually be 1,4,5 off/down, and 2,3,6 on/up. Is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![OnefinityCNC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.onefinitycnc.com/onefinitycnc/32/7_2.png) [@OnefinityCNC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/OnefinityCNC)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/15 "2025-10-24T20:23:41Z")
1,4,5 off/down, and 2,3,6 on/up This is correct. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/16 "2025-10-24T20:25:01Z")
Ok great, thanks. I’ll set those and load the config, and then try a file going from right to left and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/17 "2025-10-25T21:20:27Z")
Ok, I did everything suggested and made a basic test tile to run from right to left. Part of why this is so tricky is that it only seems to be detectable after the machine has been running for around 4 hours or so continuously. Did this test last night, stopping and resuming 6 times over the course of about 3.5 hours, and noticed almost no height change at any of the stopping points. One slight change in the middle at about 1hr 38min run time, but only about 1/32” or less. Very minor, and no detectable changes at any of the other points where I stopped and resumed. ![3.5hr test](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/3X/a/c/acb2debe9d6139a2d79061040696a44157b18f8b.jpeg) Then today I ran a similar test, but let it run for a little over 4 hours before I stopped and resumed. And here we have the same problem I’ve been dealing with, a significant drop, only this time in the opposite direction, as I expected from a right to left toolpath. ![Screenshot 2025-10-25 171838](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/3X/2/4/24759ede4f63d1b3a0681779593c7f7b4ab0ab1e.jpeg) ![Screenshot 2025-10-25 171829](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/3X/7/e/7ef6eed4a1c9c5118270c8aedc825192a1ed9aff.jpeg) Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Ken5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@Ken5](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Ken5)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/18 "2025-10-25T21:27:32Z")
Do you use a UPS in your operation? Is it possible you are getting a voltage drop from your utility provider? ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/19 "2025-10-25T21:34:44Z")
No UPS. Don’t think it’s the utilities since it’s constantly repeatable. ---
**Author:** ![drkdve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@drkdve](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/drkdve)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/20 "2025-10-25T21:41:43Z")
Here’s some dial indicator action. Seems very conclusive as to what’s going on. Should have tried this a long time ago… Looks like it’s constantly slowly gaining height in z as the program goes along until stopping and restarting the program which initiates a new tool touchoff which brings it right back down to the actual zero. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/3X/b/2/b279957ae0fb6447aab63d80bd4cd7549781645e.jpeg "Onefinity Journeyman Z Height Changes Part 2") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1ZDhfoWQEs) ---
**Author:** ![TMToronto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ea924/32.png) [@TMToronto](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/TMToronto)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936/21 "2025-10-25T22:23:59Z")
What are the indicator units? [Next page](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/z-differences-when-resuming-long-programs/35936.md?page=2)