# Z Axis back to front

**URL:** <https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428>\
**Category:** Troubleshooting\
**Created:** [April 5, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428 "2019-04-05T23:17:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Silverbug](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/silverbug/32/8423_2.png) [@Silverbug](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Silverbug)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428/1 "2019-04-05T23:17:11Z")

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Hey All,

Finally getting around to finishing up the setup of my maslow and calibrating. (so excited)  
However while calibrating my z axis, whenever I plunge the bit moves away from the work surface, and if i raise it, it moves towards the work surface… is that correct?

When I set zero and go next, it moves the bit so my sled is lifted off the work surface (routers not running atm)

Any help / suggestions would be appreciated…

Cheers

Paul

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**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:** [April 5, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428/2 "2019-04-05T23:28:39Z")

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You can reverse the direction buy adding a - (minus) to Z-pitch in GC settings.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Silverbug](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/silverbug/32/8423_2.png) [@Silverbug](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Silverbug)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428/3 "2019-04-06T00:02:56Z")

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Perfect, that’s what I was after Gero

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Silverbug](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/silverbug/32/8423_2.png) [@Silverbug](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Silverbug)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428/4 "2019-04-06T01:24:20Z")

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Is there any easy way to test the z-axis pitch value? ie make the motor do one revolution from 1 so we can make sure it’s correct?

Or is it just trial and error to get it right?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Silverbug](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/silverbug/32/8423_2.png) [@Silverbug](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Silverbug)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428/5 "2019-04-06T02:31:14Z")

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Nevermind, sorted. Ended up doing it manually.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [April 6, 2019, 4:14am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-back-to-front/9428/6 "2019-04-06T04:14:14Z")

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the best way to do this is to use a dial indicator, move the Z axis and see if  
the indicator matches the distance you expect it to move.

In general, if you have the encoder, gear ratio, and thread pitch right, it will  
be very precise, but if the gear ratio isn’t what the manufacturer claims it is,  
you will want to do testing.