20
PANEL PRO
Z axis:
The home position of the Z axis is all the way up, just short of a hard stop and has a
maximum travel down of about 3.125 inches.
When at any position, hold the 3 key to move move it down at a slow rate. The 9 key
raises it all the way to the top, normally at the position where the home routine found
the home switch. This does not seek the home switch however.
If you are transitioning from a pneumatic Z Panel Pro, the keyboard keys operate a little
differently. The 9 key raises the Z axis at a rapid rate until the key is lifted. The 3 key
lowers z at a slow rate. The 1 key commands z to the cutting level. (you will need to
confirm with enter). The Page up key will raise z to the retract level. The 0 key will
lower z to the z zero level.
There are 3 related z axis positions.
The
Z zero
is the point where the end mill or other tool is in contact with the surface of
the material to cut. To set Z zero, hold the 3 key, then release it about .1” above the
surface. Set the axis select under the main screen jog keys to z, and the increment to .
001. Move the z axis using the mouse wheel until a piece of paper gets tight between
the end mill and material. Tap the z keyboard key to open the z dialog. Tap Z again to
set this position as Z zero.
Z retract
is the position above z work zero that the z axis will raise to when
commanded up by software. The goal is to use as little time traveling up and down
without working as possible, but still have the end mill clear clamps or other
obstructions. Initially set this at about 1”. This can be set on the move options page or
the z control dialog.
Cut depth
is the distance below z zero that the end mill will descend to when cutting, or
actually doing the work that a particular mode is used for. For instance cutting a panel
with a 3/16 shank end mill with 1/8” flute diameter, and ¼” length of cut. (our standard
double ended mill) Assume a material thickness of .090”, and z zero set at the material
surface. Cutting depth should be about -.125. Once Z Zero has been set, the X and Y
axis will jog at the rapid speed if the Z is above zero. See the help file for a detailed
discussion of the Z axis. With any dialog open, tap the F1 key for help relative to that
dialog.
Home
moves the z axis up until the Z home switch opens.
O
moves the z axis to the zero position.
Pg
up (key that is separate from the numeric key pad) moves the z axis to the retract
position.
