Skip to main content

#910 Z-axis Issue/Auto-focus Issue/Honeycomb Platform Issue/Workbed Problem/Bad Focus Distance

FLUX Support Team
  • Updated

Description:

The causes of Z-axis issues can be quite complex. There are various related symptoms, such as the autofocus function failing, the platform being completely unable to move, the platform failing to home, or being unable to reach the top. Please refer to the following steps to troubleshoot Z-axis problems.

If your machine's issue is an incorrect focus distance, please refer to this article for instructions on adjusting the focus distance.

Possible Causes

  1. System failure (Update firmware, restore factory settings, or re-flash the RK board).
  2. Material is not flat enough.
  3. Autofocus probe malfunction.
  4. Autofocus control board failure.
  5. Mainboard failure.
  6. Vertical (Z-axis) "top" limit switch failure.
  7. Honeycomb platform is not level.
  8. Z-axis stepper motor failure (Low probability).

Step A1

Please perform an autofocus test without the laser nozzle touching the surface.
Place the material on the honeycomb platform and move the laser head over the material so that only the focus probe can touch the material during focusing.

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

Step A1.1

  • Ensure your probe has descended to its lowest point, so that the probe length exceeds the nozzle.
  • Ensure the nozzle is securely tightened; once tightened, the nozzle will move upward to avoid interfering with the focus probe during focusing.
  • Since the lengths of the nozzle tip and the probe are very similar, ensure your material is flat enough to avoid contacting the nozzle tip first.
     
  • After checking the points above, please perform autofocus again.

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Autofocus is now normal >> Problem Solved

Step A1.2

Please refer to the video below to confirm if you are experiencing a similar situation where the nozzle tip contacts the material surface before the probe does.

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, my issue is similar to the situation in the video >> Record a video >> Contact Support
    • Possible Causes:
      1. Damage to the threaded connection between the nozzle and the 3rd mirror mount, preventing the nozzle from moving to the top.
      2. The honeycomb platform is not flat enough.
      3. The work platform is not leveled and requires adjustment.
  • No, my issue is different from the video >> Step C1

Step A2

Update or re-update the firmware to the latest version to see if the issue can be resolved.
Please use the link to view the instructions.
4-7 Firmware Update

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the problem is solved >> Problem Solved
    • Possible Cause: Machine system failure
  • No, the problem persists >> Step A3

Step A3

Remove the honeycomb platform and brackets.
Go to the "Maintenance" option on the control panel, press the two Z-axis limit switches, and observe if the icon changes.
Are the top and bottom Z-axis limit icons on the control panel functioning correctly?

___2022-07-25___9.31.55.png

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, both are functioning normally >> Step B1
  • No, one or both are not functioning >> Step A4

Step A4

Unplug the Z-axis limit switch cable from the mainboard and check the icons on the control panel. Are both icons in the OFF state?

  • Turn off the machine power. Open the side cover to view the machine's interior.

 

  • Unplug the Z-axis limit switch ribbon cable.
    (If your PCB board differs from the photo, please refer to the Diagram .)

 

  • Turn on the machine power and check the icons. Are both icons in the OFF state?
    mceclip4.png

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, both are OFF >> Record a video >> Contact Support
    • Possible Cause:
      1. Limit switch failure, replacement needed.
  • No, one or both remain ON >> Record a video >> Contact Support
    • Possible Cause:
      1. Mainboard failure, replacement needed.

Step B1

Reinstall the honeycomb platform.
Check if the work platform can trigger both the top and bottom Z-axis limit switches.
Lower the work platform and then raise it to the top, checking if it triggers the Z-axis limit switch.

Normal Example - Triggered
Abnormal Example - Not Triggered
(Demonstrated with HEXA)

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, both switches can be triggered >> Step C1
  • No, the machine makes a grinding noise when reaching the limit >> Contact Support
    • Possible Cause:
      1. Work platform is not leveled and requires adjustment.
  • No, the platform can only move in one direction >> Step C1
  • No, the platform cannot move at all >> Step B2

Step B2

Manually lift/lower the work platform to check if it moves freely up and down.

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can be moved manually. >> Step B3
  • No, the platform seems stuck. >> Step B2.1

Step B2.1

Try lubricating the four lead screws to see if the platform can be moved manually and via the control panel.
Please refer to the related article.

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can now be moved manually and via the control panel >> Step B1
  • The platform can be moved manually, but not via the panel >> Step B3
  • Cannot move the platform manually >> Contact Support
    • Possible Cause:
      1. Autofocus platform is rusted or damaged.

Step B3

Unplug and replug the Z-axis motor cable. Then, try using the control panel to lift/lower the platform.
(If your PCB board differs from the photo, please refer to the Diagram .)

  • Turn off the machine power. Open the side cover to view the machine's interior.

 

  • Unplug and replug the Z-axis motor cable.

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Platform can now be moved using the control panel >> Step B1
  • No, platform only moves in one direction OR cannot move at all >> Contact Support
    • Possible Causes:
      1. Mainboard failure
      2. Z-axis driver IC failure
      3. Z-axis motor failure (Low probability)

Step C1

  • Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the probe of the autofocus module.

     
  • Check if the platform can move up and down.

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can move up and down >> Step C8
  • No, the platform only moves in one direction >> Step C2

Step C2

  • Turn off the machine power. Open the side cover to view the machine interior.

 

  • Unplug the gray ribbon cable, then test if the platform can lift/lower.

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can move up and down >> Step C8
  • No, the platform only moves in one direction >> Step C3

Step C3

  • Turn off power, and reconnect the gray ribbon cable.

  • Unplug the cable from the circuit board on the laser head.


     
  • Check if the platform can move up and down.

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can move up and down >> Step C4
  • No, the platform only moves in one direction >> Step B2

Step C4

  • Reconnect the cable on the laser head.
     
  • Please refer to the guide on disassembling the autofocus probe and cover.
    Read Step 1, Step 2, and Step 6 only (2.5mm and 2.0mm Hex wrenches are required for this step). 
    [Beambox II - Autofocus Probe and Cable Replacement]
     
  • Check if the switch on the autofocus board can be pressed smoothly as shown in the video.  
     

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the switch can be pressed smoothly as shown >> Step C5
  • No, the switch is stuck or cannot be pressed >> Contact Support
    • Possible Cause:
      1. Autofocus module failure.

Step C5

  • Please refer to the guide on reinstalling the autofocus board cover and probe, ensuring the probe can be pushed upward. Read Step 7 and Step 8 only.
    [Beambox II - Autofocus Probe and Cable Replacement]
    mceclip1.png
     
  • Hang the autofocus assembly back in place and check if the platform can move up and down.

 

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can move up and down >> Step C6
  • No, the platform only moves in one direction >> Contact Support
    Possible Causes:
    1. Autofocus probe and cover are damaged.
    2. Autofocus circuit board is damaged (Low probability).

Step C6

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can move up and down >> Step C8
  • No, the platform only moves in one direction >> Step C7

Step C7

Reconnect the following cables.

  • Go to the laser head and reconnect the black flat ribbon cable.

  • The 3-pin cable on the autofocus module at the back of the laser head.
    (If it's hard to pull out, ensure the connection is not loose.)
     
  • After completing this, check if the platform can move up and down.

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, the platform can move up and down >> Step C8
  • No, the platform only moves in one direction >> Contact Support
    • Possible Causes:
      1. Autofocus module failure
      2. 3-pin cable of the autofocus module failure
      3. HX camera LED and flame sensor board failure (Low probability)
      4. Black flat ribbon cable of the flame sensor board failure (Low probability)

Step C8

  • Ensure the gray ribbon cable has been reconnected.

  • Place the material on the work platform and perform autofocus.

Confirm the test result and take the next action:

  • Yes, autofocus is working normally >> Problem Solved
  • No, autofocus is still not working normally >> Contact Support
    • Possible Causes:
      1. Autofocus module failure
      2. Autofocus probe failure
      3. Material is not flat enough

Contact Support

  • Please follow the instructions in the link below to correctly report the issue to your local distributor or the FLUX support team. [Contact Customer Service]

*The information collected in this article, such as photos or videos showing machine issues, will need to be shared with the distributor or the FLUX support team.

#END

Related articles

Comments

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.