Bed Or Material Surface? Where to Zero Your Z Explained

I am often asked where is the best place to Zero my Z for my job. The answer really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. In this video I talk about the uses and differences of each.
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[@keatob]

I’ve been looking for an explanation like this! The figures help a lot too! Thanks for this!

[@jamespontiac2373]

Thanks for the time spent making this. As a newcomer to the world of CNC this was extremely helpful.

[@danelswick9886]

Very informative. A BIG thanks! Stupid question. Using VCarve Pro. In the "toolpaths material setup" would the home/start position be the thickness of your material plus a safe Z gap? I use .8" as a safe Z-Gap from the material surface. So the Z-Gap would remain at .8" but the home/start would go to 1.8" from the machine bed if the material was 1" thick. Am I thinking correctly?

[@rickoelze8784]

Thanks Eric, grate video as usual. Could you make a follow up video showing detailed steps on how to use machine bed, with the actual CNC using UCCNC? Specifically, once you zero the tool on the machine bed using the TL sensor, how do you position the tool in relation to the work prior to running the job. I almost learned the hard way not to use the "got to zero" button after referencing off the machine bed. Gotta love the E-Stop button!

[@StepcraftInc]

Yes I will work on this. Thank you for the compliment, I am glad you like the videos. Look for a tips video next week on this

[@Sil3nt1985]

@@StepcraftInc Did this ever happen? I can't seem to find it.

[@owenjenkins9658]

Thank you for this video. I didn't know how to setup off the machine bed . I'm gluing several pieces of over sized wood . I didn't know how to make the finish thickness' of all the same . This was a BIG HELP ! Owen Jenkins

[@joel_luis]

Thank you for this video. I was really having a hard time setting things up in vcarve

[@wriggleystretch]

Thank you for the time taken to explain this procedure, my is question is:- Is it better to use the zero start at a corner? Or how do you transport the tool after zeroing if it is a centre zero.

[@StepcraftInc]

This is a good question. I typically will use XY Zero on the front left corner if I am working with sheet stock or cutting something from a larger piece of material. If I have a part that requires precise location of the cut based on a set outline then I will use the center. However it is harder to accurately find the center manually (the exact center), so I use our 3D Touch probe - I will make a new tips video on this

[@jimpetty5106]

Well done! I've wanted to see this explained for a long time. This is the only video I've ever seen using the machine bed.

[@StepcraftInc]

Thank you, I noticed that too which is why I made it - let me know if there are any other subjects you would find helpful. - Erick

[@perro0076]

@@StepcraftInc Hi. Same here. Many thanks. I have the largest Ooznest machine and my MDF spoil board has a bow down towards the centre, so I need to 'measure' off the bed. That "Go to zero" advice is the best one yet!!! It means move the spoil board to the side, zero to the bed, lift 'Z' then place and secure the spoil board down again. Then hit 'run program' WITHOUT clicking on "Go to zero".

[@CraigLafferty]

Incredible explanation! Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@StepcraftInc]

My pleasure!

[@minimumexpectationsdiy6013]

Excellent video with great graphics. Very clear and easy to understand. Thank you for your efforts.

[@francburg]

Question..what is the best z zero setting for carving..?

[@prawnchoptv]

Great info. Thanks. I've got the d840 with the aluminum tslot table. I also use a 6mm mdf spoilboard with slots cut to match. Do i need to add an offset in uccnc /vcarve pro for the z height if I was measuring zero off the bed?

[@StepcraftInc]

In any case when you use a spoilboard, I would zero Z off the top of the spoilboard. This way as you surface it and the height is reduced, you are always starting jobs with an accurate Z Zero based on the top of the spoilboard/bottom of the part. Does that make sense? I can maybe make a quick tip video on this

[@ΓιώργοςΣτουμπης-ξ9φ]

hello, I have a work table on the machine 17 cm and I want to cut a material of 6 thousand that I have to put these numbers please answer me immediately

[@DianTomov_ST_Dupont_Lighters]

How fusion will know that I have probe on bed/spoilboard?

[@vincenttan1261]

Hi, thanks for the great video for zeroing the tools. As you say in your video, we need to make sure the Machine Bed or spoilboard is level. How can we achieve that? I cant find any info on this. No video on this Leveling, Squaring, or Tramming on an Stepcraft machine. Everyone seems like taking it as after putting the Stepcraft machine together and its perfectly Square but that’s is not the case for any machine. Btw I am using the Stepcraft D600. Is it possible for you to make a video on this Leveling, Squaring, and Tramming on a Stepcraft D-Series? I enjoy all your tips on the video a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[@StepcraftInc]

Absolutely, I will work on this next week too. It is not hard to do but I can put a short video together to explain it.

[@constantinosschinas4503]

in our provider case acrylic thickness fluctuates maybe more than that of plywoods!

[@StepcraftInc]

I have see this too - it really depends on the quality of the plastic. Extruded plastic has a tendency to be more stable

[@thefilthelement]

When referencing the bed, do you then set zero on the bed as well?

[@rschill1000]

How do these options work if you have an auto tool changer already set up and zeroed? As the project changes do you have to re-zero the tools you plan to use for that job?

[@StepcraftInc]

Yes, when you setup the tools in the tool changer all that it is doing is setting the tool offsets. You still need to Zero your job before you start cutting so the machine knows where the tip of the tool should be

[@mohamed_fawzy]

thanks for the simplifying

[@Checkitfirst]

How do I setup the probe on the bed

[@afbelband]

dont buy i spended 4000 euro on a 840d and it not working as it has to dont buy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1