# Automating z-axis zeroing **URL:** \ **Category:** Wiki - Store and maintain knowledge\ **Created:** [August 17, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886 "2018-08-17T04:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dag83](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dag83/32/2603_2.png) [@Dag83](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Dag83)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/21 "2018-08-24T19:49:33Z")
I think it is not implemented yet, installing the button is as far as thet got šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![scottscnc](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scottscnc/32/7556_2.png) [@scottscnc](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scottscnc)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 8:40am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/22 "2018-09-09T08:40:51Z")
@Dag83, I got the auto Z hooked up, thanks for the post. I bought a piece of 1/16 Ɨ 3.5 Ɨ2ā€™ flat aluminum and put a 90 on one end and drilled a hole and put a screw through it with a ring on the wire to put behind sled to touch bit to. I put a ring on other wire and put it on the base clamp screw with a connector to unplug it when done using to get out of way. Added the macro and works great! Sometimes i have to push macro a few times even with bit close to aluminum puck flat stock. I added wires to aux 1 as you suggested, is there directions anywhere for the auto start/stop of the router/vac? Iā€™ve searched but donā€™t really see the directions, only discussion about making it work and getting bar to incorporate it. Thanks again for this post. Bit changes and zeroing are gonna be a breeze now!! šŸ•¶ ---
**Author:** ![aluminumwelder](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/aluminumwelder/32/9362_2.png) [@aluminumwelder](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/aluminumwelder)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/23 "2018-09-09T12:43:46Z")
aluminum tends to oxidize and have poor electrical connections over time. you might want to sand it occasional to a bright finish for best results. ---
**Author:** ![Dag83](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dag83/32/2603_2.png) [@Dag83](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Dag83)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/24 "2018-09-09T17:58:38Z")
> [@scottscnc](#): > > I added wires to aux 1 as you suggested, is there directions anywhere for the auto start/stop of the router/vac? Not yet, iā€™ll try writing a guide when i get mine installed. Itā€™s more of a ā€œwhile the soldering iron is hot you might as well add that tooā€ thing šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![scottscnc](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/scottscnc/32/7556_2.png) [@scottscnc](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/scottscnc)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/25 "2018-09-09T18:29:48Z")
@Dag83 Oh ok, thank you. I didnā€™t know if anyone completed that task yet. Will be a nice feature to have as well! šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Dag83](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dag83/32/2603_2.png) [@Dag83](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Dag83)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/26 "2018-09-09T19:33:27Z")
It should work, you just need to put a (solid state) relais on the aux1 port, and enable it in the settings. I just donā€™t have any time to try it out, and i wonā€™t post a guide for something i havenā€™t done myself yet. ---
**Author:** ![johnboiles](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/johnboiles/32/7844_2.png) [@johnboiles](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/johnboiles)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/27 "2018-10-19T06:12:19Z")
I just tried this out and it worked pretty well. Have any of you tested this a lot with the Rigid router? Where do yā€™all attach on your router? ---
**Author:** ![blurfl](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/blurfl/32/9_2.png) [@blurfl](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/blurfl)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/28 "2018-10-19T06:20:19Z")
> [@johnboiles](#): > > Where do yā€™all attach on your router? I clip to the bit, but other folks say theyā€™ve clipped to the z-motor mount or to the router base. Clipping to the bit is pretty sub-optimalā€¦ hard to reach and donā€™t forget to remove the clip before spinning up šŸ¤Ŗ. ---
**Author:** ![Dag83](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dag83/32/2603_2.png) [@Dag83](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Dag83)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/29 "2018-10-19T06:25:00Z")
Just try it out and report back pleace, iā€™d assume all metal parts are somehow connected. I was thinking of replacing the clip with a manget, much easier to connect. ---
**Author:** ![johnboiles](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/johnboiles/32/7844_2.png) [@johnboiles](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/johnboiles)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:50am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/30 "2018-10-19T06:50:11Z")
I ask because I tried a couple times clipped to the z-axis motor and the bit zeroā€™d slightly too deep (maybe 0.7mm). Next time I tried holding the clip against the router body and it got what appeared to be spot on. The metal surfaces Iā€™ve tried under the sled arenā€™t the best though. So itā€™s possible thatā€™s what caused the variation, and not the spot I clipped to. I ran my wires through the bundle with the motor wire. which does make it really convenient to clip to the motor ---
**Author:** ![johnboiles](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/johnboiles/32/7844_2.png) [@johnboiles](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/johnboiles)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 3:01pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/31 "2018-10-19T15:01:21Z")
> [@Dag83](#): > > I was thinking of replacing the clip with a manget The more I think about it the more I think this is the right idea. Iā€™ll give this a try. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/32 "2018-10-19T18:32:06Z")
are you hooking the magnet to the bit/chuck or to the router housing? David Lang ---
**Author:** ![johnboiles](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/johnboiles/32/7844_2.png) [@johnboiles](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/johnboiles)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/33 "2018-10-19T20:25:36Z")
Maybe the housing because then I donā€™t have to take the clear window off the router base. Why? Do you have any leaning about which would be better? ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/34 "2018-10-19T19:53:52Z")
well, if itā€™s the housing, canā€™t you permanently attach it? I am sure attaching it to the bit/chuck will work, attaching it to the housing will probably work (you have to go through the bearings, but we donā€™t need much current), and would let you leave it permanently attached. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Dag83](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dag83/32/2603_2.png) [@Dag83](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Dag83)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/35 "2018-10-19T21:16:14Z")
You can just throw the magnet to the router from a distance and it should work. all metal parts should be connected and are magnetic. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerryYeoman](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/themerryyeoman/32/8009_2.png) [@TheMerryYeoman](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TheMerryYeoman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 11:44am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/36 "2018-12-21T11:44:22Z")
I believe taking the time to attach to the collet or bit defeats the simplicity of the automation. Without this feature I use a metal ruler to bridge across the sled to check the position of the bit. Bringing up the clear guard reminded me of an issue I had previously with the guard itself causing the Z-AXIS to fail. [Z - Axis Hangup on Clear Ridged Guard](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-hangup-on-clear-ridged-guard/6223). Just thought Iā€™d let you know. ---
**Author:** ![metras3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@metras3](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/metras3)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/37 "2019-05-29T17:31:10Z")
I just found this Post on using a touch plate to set Z to zero. Great! My only question is how to I put that code in those Macros? I know doing this canā€™t be hard. I just know where you do it. Marty ---
**Author:** ![Gero](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/gero/32/17487_2.png) [@Gero](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Gero)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 5:33pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/38 "2019-05-29T17:33:46Z")
> [@metras3](#): > > My only question is how to I put that code in those Macros? Click in GC on settings, look for the 2 ā€˜macro titleā€™ and the ā€˜fields to enterā€™ the macro. ---
**Author:** ![metras3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@metras3](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/metras3)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/39 "2019-05-29T17:35:15Z")
Ah, in there! Thanks ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886/40 "2019-05-29T17:42:31Z")
I donā€™t remember if the macros are in settings or advanced settings, but one of them lets you set the label and g-code for the macro David Lang [Previous page](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/automating-z-axis-zeroing/5886.md?page=3)