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Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:45 pm
by madixCnc
Hi everyone,
does anyone have a solution for this issue? Probably the problem is sitting in front of the machine, as usual. :D

When probing Z0 using either the Tool Touch Off (TT) or the Touch Probe (TP), the Z-axis does not move up after the probing cycle finishes.
The new Z value is saved correctly, but I can’t move the Z-axis anymore, because the “Probe Tripped” warning stays active — most likely because the probe is still triggered due to the Z-axis not retracting.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 2:07 pm
by cnckeith
need more info, what make model / type of touch devices are you using?

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:36 pm
by H.C
Just have to push manually the Z+ button till it is out of trigger state, then you can jog it again. (normal centroid behavior...i think :D)

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:49 pm
by madixCnc
I'm using the TT from Sorotec:
👉 https://www.sorotec.de/shop/Z-Finder-In ... -6863.html
And as a probe, I'm using a cheap one from AliExpress.

Strangely, when I configure the TT as a touch plate in CNC12 and probe Z0, the Z-axis does perform a retract after the probing cycle.

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:13 pm
by cncsnw
Choose Continuous jog mode ("CONT", meaning that the "INCR" light is off).

Press and hold the yellow "Z+" jog button until the probe is clear.

If the only way you know to move an axis is by spinning the MPG wheel, and (like many operators) you do not want to know any other way, then just turn the increment selector to "1X" and crank Z up until the probe is clear.

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:24 pm
by richardb15
In the probe cycle you can set the retract distance, as it needs to touch off twice, once at fast feed to find roughly the touch point, then it retracts Z+until touch is cleared, then moves Z- again slowly to touch for an accurate reading, then retracts in Z+ again. If the retract distance is too small to clear the touch it will just sit. Maybe just try either slowing down the fast probe rate so it doesn't overshoot so far in Z-, or increase the touch retract distance. Does your machine retract at all in Z- direction after the first touch?

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 4:07 am
by madixCnc
cncsnw wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:13 pm Choose Continuous jog mode ("CONT", meaning that the "INCR" light is off).

Press and hold the yellow "Z+" jog button until the probe is clear.

If the only way you know to move an axis is by spinning the MPG wheel, and (like many operators) you do not want to know any other way, then just turn the increment selector to "1X" and crank Z up until the probe is clear.

The continuous jog mode is the solution. 8-)
This allows me to move the Z-axis off the switch.
Strangely, when I configure the TT as a touch plate, it performs a retract after probing.

In case you’re wondering why my touch probe is such a bulky block — I converted it to wireless. It’s a real relief and works reliably.
The latency is 890 µs, which is accounted for during calibration.
On the receiver module, an LED blinks as long as data is being received.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any free inputs left on the Centroid, otherwise I would have used the receiver to generate a detect signal.
Should’ve gone with the Acorn Six after all :D

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 11:33 am
by suntravel
Is it an m5 router?

Uwe

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 3:46 am
by madixCnc
Yes, it’s an M hoch 5 router with the AC 400W JMC steppers you recommended. 😃

Re: Z-Axis Doesn’t Retract After Probing – Can’t Move Axis

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 4:28 pm
by cnckeith
touch probe stays at z surface so you can set that surface to what ever value you want.

you can also edit the macro/vcp buttons to do what ever you want. so i fyou want it to always set to z 0 then you can do that.