Compact 1000 - Problem with Z offset

[Benny]

We get an error message machine exceeded its limits. I have checked and double checked and everything is done exactly according to the Router 10 Hr lesson but it stops after making the grooves and before making the holes. We seem to be having a problem getting the machine to Z down all the way. When we put the machine in Jog mode for the datum position we have full movement on the X and Y axis’s but on the Z axis the machine wont go down far enough to touch the bit to the billet. For example on the Tic Tac Toe project, it will make the lines but not the holes for the marbles. We have double checked all the coordinates and even pulled the bit almost all the way so it’s just barely in the collett. When we do this it will go low enough for the bit to touch but not low enough to run the code. We get the error message that we have exceeded machine parameters. Is it possible the machine isn’t calibrated correctly?

[Benny]

The problem appears to be in your offsets --- your Z Offset. The Z is at, or very near, the end of its travel, it cannot go down anymore to drill the holes for the tees.

1.Home the machine
2.Use a piece of billet as a Spacer/Sacrifice piece in the clamp.
3.Loosen the cutting bit in the collet, just enough that you can slide it.
4.Jog the Z almost all the way down over the spacer piece.
5.Slide the cutting tool in/out of the collet so that it is just off the billet spacer. Tighten the collet.
6.Jog the Z up.
7.Double side tape a piece of billet to the spacer piece in the clamp on the machine table.
8.Jog the spindle head over the billet.
9.Jog the Z down so that the cutting tool just touches the top billet piece.
10.Open the “Off Set” window and set the Z Off Set.
11.Jog the Z up a little to clear the billet.
12.Jog the X & Y to bring the Cutting tool to the Front Left Corner of the billet
13.Set the X & Y Offset in the “Off Set” window.
14.Re-Home the machine.
15.Select Auto and run your program.