# Z Not maintaining zero **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [March 25, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083 "2023-03-25T12:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/1 "2023-03-25T12:53:57Z")
Ok, So I upgraded the belts, rollers, stepper motors, ridgidity panels and Z axis on my xcarve 1000 a couple of months ago. I have been having an issue during 3d carves (most noticeable on those). I will do a roughing toolpath and it completes with no problem. I start the finishing toolpath zeroing off the surface of the material with the zprobe (have also tried manual zero of toolpath). I start the carve and seems ok for 30 or 40 minutes of a 4 hour carve. First there are lines in the carve Then i notice that the finishing bit (Amana 1/16 TBN) is not in contact with the material any longer. I stop the carve and command return to zero where i find the tip of the bit is now roughly 1/16 to 1/8" above the material. I have tried manualy zeroing from that point and restarting, I have also tried manually setting the bit .01 below zero and resetting to zero. Same issue. Some history, I have dismantled the collet and blew it out, I have tried bottoming the bit into the collet thinking maybe i was missing a slipping bit? I also measured with the calipers the bit length from tip to bottom of collet before trying a carve and after and they are the same before and after even though the bit does not end touching the material.There is a new waste board, I have ran a vbit across the x and y axis just touching the waste board and there is no visible difference between one end and the other. We have switched the x and z cables. All produce the same result. We as suspecting a bad z axis unit and have one coming under warranty. I was hoping to see if anyone else has had any issues such as this and what if any solution was found. ![Bit & Material](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/3/9/393fc2963185d1c99721df0b6976c4d132b30dfb.jpeg) ![Lines](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/3/5/35caef95bb85da53e0e056446148cca53cc2e8c5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ken4](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ken4/32/87117_2.png) [@Ken4](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ken4)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/2 "2023-03-25T14:05:13Z")
On the backside of Direct Drive Z Axis Upgrade, there is a coupler with some set Alen set screws. just behind the logo, there should be no movement. ---
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/3 "2023-03-25T14:47:22Z")
Sorry, I should have mentioned that i checked both the coupler with the nylon inserts in it and the other side with the coupler with the worm screw allen set screw. I did not get any play by moving them and the set screw was tight. I have been told also that the unit is a non serviceable part by inventables. ---
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/4 "2023-03-25T15:29:49Z")
Just to be safe I checked the coupler again and did not find any movement. I was however able to get about 1/16 of a turn on one of the set screws. I also noticed that the coupler is down almost againt the lower part of the unit? I am not sure if I remember this being this way when i got it or not but it does not move when i loosen the set screws. I retightened them and i am testing to see if it will retain zero throughout a carve. I appreciate your response! maybe this was my issue after all. I will know in an hour or two.Here is another picture of how the coupler looks on this machine. Update: Still no good. same issue. after running the toolpath again and returning to zero the z is 1/8" gap over the material. ![Coupler](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/6/a/6a4cdbf7de2faebf9f92105299c4392ee6078e4c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Dave770](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/dave770/32/82537_2.png) [@Dave770](https://community.inventables.com/u/Dave770)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/5 "2023-03-26T23:50:05Z")
I’ve read that some of the bits are metric and will not seat properly. Is it possible your bit is sliding in? ---
**Author:** ![SethCNC](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/sethcnc/32/87515_2.png) [@SethCNC](https://community.inventables.com/u/SethCNC)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/6 "2023-03-27T04:12:52Z")
I think your Z axis may be mounted too high in general, resulting in lost steps… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/n4h_Nk4Umyg/hqdefault.jpg "Having depth issues with a '21-'23 X-Carve CNC? See the Simple Fix") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4h_Nk4Umyg) ---
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 11:46am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/7 "2023-03-27T11:46:10Z")
Thanks We have tested this and the bit can reach the spoil board. ---
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 11:54am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/8 "2023-03-27T11:54:18Z")
Thanks. I have replaced the collet and tried multiple bits to no avail. I have even measured with the calipers the distance from the tip of the bit to the collet before and after a carve and it is not moving ---
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 12:12pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/9 "2023-03-27T12:12:31Z")
I did notice that if i manually move the coupler, i can move it between 1/4 and 1/2" before there is any movement of the tip of the bit. This does not seem normal as i dont think there should be any play there. How is the worm shaft attached behind the router plate? does anyone know? Here is a short video that shows what im trying to say: > **[New video by Steve Nadler](https://photos.app.goo.gl/nvBTrBwnZYP7b9ie9)** ---
**Author:** ![SethCNC](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/sethcnc/32/87515_2.png) [@SethCNC](https://community.inventables.com/u/SethCNC)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/10 "2023-03-27T12:41:33Z")
it is attached with a delrin block… here’s the old assembly manual for the old version Z axis, I believe the delrin block part is the same in the current Z axis… > **[X-Carve Instructions: Z-Axis](https://x-carve-instructions.inventables.com/1000mm/step2c/1zaxis/)** > > X-Carve Instructions ---
**Author:** ![MikeFuechsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@MikeFuechsel](https://community.inventables.com/u/MikeFuechsel)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 4:13am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/11 "2023-03-29T04:13:25Z")
I’m experiencing a very similar issue with a recent 3D carve attempt and have also made the same adjustments and completed the same inspections. It just doesn’t make any sense and just feels like it’s more of a programming issue instead of a hardware issue. I could be very wrong as I am still new to the CNC world but I wanted to join the conversation and let you know you’re not alone. ![PXL_20230323_170938909.PORTRAIT](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/6/e/6e7990dbc00b3551284a962e5fc6e1bb73de912f.jpeg) ![PXL_20230323_171007226.PORTRAIT](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/3/439a708fc7247217c56b93c1dc63e452abafe06f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![SteveNadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SteveNadler](https://community.inventables.com/u/SteveNadler)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 10:52am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/12 "2023-03-31T10:52:34Z")
SOLVED: I replaced the Z Axis unit with a replacement from inventables. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/system/32/67217_2.png) [@system](https://community.inventables.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 10:53am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-not-maintaining-zero/142083/13 "2023-06-29T10:53:27Z")
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