If your laser machine needs to reflect off of three mirrors before it finally passes the focal lens, then I would recommend realigning the laser.

You might also want to see if the nozzle is hot. If so, then the laser energy is hitting some of the nozzle body and not all of the laser energy is exiting the small aperture of the nozzle. To determine if this is the cause, remove the nozzle and try the operation again to see if you have better results. If the results are better with the nozzle off, then realign the mirrors. If you are still having difficulty getting the laser energy to exit the nozzle, increase the diameter of the nozzle aperture.

If you are still having poor results, take a look at the focal lens and the mirrors for any debris. An unclean lens and mirrors are a common cause of poor lasing performance.

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Is this a problem with the tube or the power supply? The tube is illuminated but I don't get clear firing to the piece. This is a rastering work and I get faint results and then it will be fine, then nothing. Tube changes from pink to solid line purple even when vectoring or manually holding the fire button. https://youtu.be/rX5xZoM6_bk

The fact that you cannot move the motors with the keyboard serves as a clue to a couple possibilities.

- The software may not be communicating with parallel port. (One possibility may be that your step pins are not low active, or vice versa depending on your drivers).
- You may not be in the correct tab of Mach3. Make sure you are in the Program Run tab.
- The jog on/off button on the program run screen may not be lit (invoked).

This address below shows the complete troubleshooting for this type of situation. It will show how to test each pin at the parallel port at the back of the computer and everything else associated with correctly wiring the electronics.

https://buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx




Additional Information:
6 axis robot with Mach3 Card 6 Axis Motion Controller

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I have a home built CNC running Mach 3. I have power to all the motors and the breakout board but no movement when running g-code. I cannot even manually move the motors with the arrow keys or page up and down. It also has an integrated 120v receptacle showing an open ground. I don't know if all this is related.

What interface board are you using? Typically, this will be an issue with the computer that MAch3 is installed. The only other component that may affect this would be the interface between the computer and the machine.

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mach3 freezes in the middle of a run, I don't get any message. I have press reset and then the jog buttons work. I have to reset the zero and start from the last line when the machine stopped. It happens mostly during the finishing part of the g-code file

If the machine is not moving when you use a control program to control the electronics, there could be a many reasons this could happen.

First, make sure that you followed the electronics videos: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx

The computer sends pulses from the conmputer while the control program interprets the g-code. These puses from the computer should be received in the correct form from the breakout board, or interface. Make sure that the step low active is enabled if the pin is connected to the CP- (PUL-, or STEP-) and the 5v is connected to the CP+ (PUL+ or STEP?+) at the driver.

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I'm trying to test cnc with Mach 3 as it says in the book. When I send the g codes, nothing happens. I occasionally hear a bump from the machine, but there's no real rhyme or reason as to when it will bump. What could be wrong?

We recommend our electronics combo for the scratch build kit, which you can find on our site here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-425-elcombo. This is our standard general purpose 3 axis electronics system, and includes (3) NEMA 24 425 oz-in stepping motors, (3) Drivers (3.0Amp 24-40 Volts, with 1-1/64 microstepping), (1) 36v 8.8a Power Supply, (1) Interface Board either USB or Parallel. (The USB version requires PlanetCNC software; the parallel interface board gives you a variety of options, Mach3 being one popular choice.)

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I got the plans and hardware from you guys and im almost ready for the stepper motor part of this build. what size motors are good to use for this build? the size of cnc will be 2x4 when finish or what size will not work? thanks

Since you mentioned there is a nasty smell, I'm wondering if there might have been a issue with the power supply. Can you email us your name for the order and specific voltage you are using for the redFly? at techsupport@buildyourcnc.com. Also I want to mention if you have the USB cord plugged in to the redFly if it has the parallel interface board?

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When I first hooked up my redFly and was manually testing all the axes, everything was going well, then my Y axis stopped working all together, and now my X and Z have stopped also and my redFly has a nasty smell coming from it and none of the stepper motors seem to be getting power.

The license file should be called Mach1Lic.Dat, you can copy it to a Mach3 folder on another computer and it will register the program.

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You sent my my activation code which I have jealously, guarded on my Desktop till needed, now, unfortunately I cant get it to copy from Desktop to the computer and Mach3, is it possible to get advice on this or maybe a replacement that can be put on a stick then plugged into my Mach3 computer. This is how I have tried but when I open the folder it is empty. Thanks for your patience with me.

The greenBull 4X comes with all of the components and electronics to assemble the gantry of the machine. You will need to build the table. We provide the rails and roller chain for the X-axis (along the length of the table for full 8 feet of travel). You will need to provide some wire to connect the electronics and a computer to run the machine. You will also need to purchase the software that you will need to run the machine that matches how you will apply the machine. We suggest the mach3 control program. The CAM program is up to you as there are many options out there.

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I am interested in buying the greenBull 5X Long Z CNC Machine Kit, but it is not clear for me what is included in this kit. Is there anything else I need to get the machine work?

To verify, you are still getting the laser tube to fire, but the laser beam is weak and cannot cut or engrave any materials correct?

Have you checked your tube's tungsten post terminals to make sure they are getting good contact?
The Laser tube and laser power supply both have manufacture warranty, please email customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for further assistance.

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Hello, I have a blacktooth laser cutter, the machine has 10hrs of work, suddenly in the middle of a job the laser beam lost all power, I can still se the purple plasma beam but with no power or intensity, the tube is fine, water is running through and there is no arcing to the chasis or some other part. I think it might be a faulty PS how can I test it, Do I have a warranty on it?

All USB boards, are tested and checked before shipment for all axis, and inputs. Here is a link with clear instructions on how to setup Planet-CNC (http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/machine_setup/).

Please check continuity and for any crossover disruption when wiring your board, try to wire each as cleanly and with out crossing any live power wires and or motor motion wires.

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I have a usb cnc driver board on your 1'x3' cnc and i cant get the z+ limit switch to stop the machine in the provided software. It registers the button but doesn't inhibit movement. inversly the button works when selected as '-' for negative movement.

That is a simple loose connection. How the direction connection works. There is a high state (5v), and a low state (0V or ground). If the down operation is the high state and the connection is not good, the connection could go to a low state and then go in the opposite direction.

Check the connection and confirm it is secure.

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My Z axis motor changes direction in the middle of an operation. It starts out correctly, than in the middle of an operation the Z axis goes in a negative operation instead of the positive direction. When I reset after this having the Z axis go down it goes up, and then asked it to go up it also goes up?

If you select the Settings Page and select or tick Auto Limit Override - this will allow you to back off the switch.

Additional Information:
limit and home switch

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When the machine hits the limits it stops but the switch is still tripped so clicking the Mach3 RESET button doesn't do anything. How am I supposed to get the machine to move off of the limit switch so I can continue working?

There is a drop menu next to JOG on the main page. Will be the arrow pointing down next to the the JOG box, disable the step option which is the very first option.

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my motor only steps in single increments when i click the jog button on the planet cnc software, it doesn't continue stepping as I am holding down the jog button, can anyone help me with this?

I will check with the developer of the board and show the response on this FAQ.

Additional Information:
The response from the developer:
Are you referring to using Pin 17 for the spindle speed control? Make sure that you set the desired spindle speed in Mach4 by executing S1000 in the MDI or the G-code.

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Mach 4 is not triggering PWM pin 17 on Pokeys57CNC. I am able to get it to work through the Pokeys app but not Mach 4. I've made all of the setting changes prescribed in the manual.

The Mach3 USB will not work with Linux CNC. You can use our parallel breakout baord instead (if you have a computer that has a parallel port available).

Here is the link to that interface:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

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Hello. I'm currently building my first CNC router, and I'm powering it with a 3 axis electronics kit that was purchased through your site. I chose to get the Mach 3 USB Breakout board, but now I'm wanting to try to use Linux CNC to work with the computer I have available. Will that work with this board?

The 5x10 greenBull base kit comes with the structure, hardware, and electronics for motion control. In order to have a fully functional CNC you will need a table base for your machine, a spindle or router to handle your cutting applications, end mills (bits) for cutting, CAD, CAM and CNC software, and a computer. There are also accessories you can add such as limit switches, emergency stops, and cable carrier for cable management. If you are looking for more information or a formal quote please contact sales@buildyoucnc.com

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I'm not sure of ALL the things I will need to do some of my ideas for the cnc machine. I'll mostly be cutting out 3/4" plywood projects. How much minimum for a 5' by 10' system? I need the hardware and software to get the job done. I saw the price for your basic unit 3-4 grand but don't know what all I NEED to start work.

When we receive an email pertaining to shipped product issues, they are forwarded to our shipping department. If you do not receive a response, for any reason, please contact us again by email, and/or give us a call at 281-815-7701

Additional Information:
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Hi, I received a laser tube last week, and it was brokken in the packet. I tried to write to customer service but no answer so far. How do you handle this? The packet was not dammaged in any way. I was only able to see it was broken when it was complete unpacked.

It's generally acceptable to use one pin for all of your limit switches wired Normally Closed (NC), and another separate pin for a Z probe that is Normally Open (NO). LinuxCNC is quite flexible and allows for mixed configurations of NC and NO switches.

Just ensure you configure LinuxCNC correctly to recognize each pin's logic (Active low or active high). And perhaps run a few tests before running the machine.

Additional Information:
It's generally acceptable to use one pin for all of your limit switches wired Normally Closed (NC), and another separate pin for a Z probe that is Normally Open (NO). LinuxCNC is quite flexible and allows for mixed configurations of NC and NO switches.

Just ensure you configure LinuxCNC correctly to recognize each pin's logic (Active low or active high). And perhaps run a few tests before running the machine.

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[59] is it ok to use one pin for all of the limit switches wired NC and another pin for a z probe that is NO, or do all input pins need to be the same (NC or NO)? I would like to use LinuxCNC but will use Mach3 if necessary. a thanks!

As shown in the instructions the laser tube that was used was a different model which had the metal end, compared to our full glass tube models we currently ship with the machines.
So there is no difference besides appearance between the two tubes.
The focus lens should be placed in the laser nozzle assembly and not on the laser tube itself.


Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

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I bought a blacktooth laser from you about a year ago.. I am finally getting around to installing the laser tube and I noticed that my tube does't have the metal end on it like all the pictures I've seen. is this a focus lense and can I purchase one?