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#904 Homing Failed/Homing Issues/Not able to home

FLUX Support Team
  • Updated

Description

Since the causes of #904 Homing Abnormality are relatively complex, please note that reading this article may not immediately solve your problem. However, by carefully following the steps below, you will gather valuable information to help the FLUX team pinpoint the issue more effectively.

Possible Causes:

  1. System failure (Update firmware).
  2. Mainboard failure.
  3. Limit switch failure.
  4. Guide rail rusted or damaged.
  5. X-axis not level.
  6. Driver box (Driver chip) failure.
  7. Stepper motor failure.
  8. Drawing board failure (Low probability).
  9. Cable failure (Driver control cable & Driver power cable) (Low probability).

Tools

  1. T8 Torx Screwdriver (Optional)
  2. Flathead Screwdriver (Optional)

Step 1 - Manually check if the laser head moves smoothly:

  • Turn off the machine and unplug the power cord.

     
  • Manually move the laser head to the four corners.Step_1.gif

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

Step 1.1 - Lubricate the guide rails:

  • Please refer to the instructions in the link below to lubricate the guide rails.
  • After lubrication, try moving the laser head again to see if it moves as shown in Step 1.

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Yes, it moves as shown in the Step 1 video. >> Problem solved
  • No, it still cannot move as shown in the Step 1 video >> Take photos or a video, then Contact Customer Service.
    • Possible Cause: The guide rails may be rusted.

Examples of photos or videos required for reporting:  

X-axis guide rail:
Step_1.1_-_X-axis_rail.gif
Y-axis optical axis - Left:
Step_1.1_-_left_Y-axis_rail.gif

Y-axis optical axis - Right:
 

Step_1.1_-_Right_Y-axis_rail.gif

Step 2 - Rule out firmware issues:

Improper firmware installation can sometimes cause homing abnormalities. Re-updating the firmware can quickly help rule out firmware anomalies.

  • Follow the steps in 4-7 Firmware Update to ensure it is updated to the latest version.

     

  • Once the update is complete, try homing again.


Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Yes, the machine homed successfully >> Problem solved. 

Step 3 - Check the LED on the laser power supply

Verify if the LED on the laser power supply is constantly lit.

  • Please loosen the T8 screws on the side to open the side cover.

  • Please refer to the photo below and check if the laser power supply LED is constantly lit without flickering.

     

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Off or flickering >> Record a video of the homing failure and the state of the indicator lights >> Contact Customer Service to report the issue.
    • Possible Cause:
      1. Laser power supply failure, replacement needed.

Step 3.1 - Check the Driver Box LEDs

Check the green LED lights on the three Driver Boxes. While in standby, are they constantly flashing?
(Flashing during standby is normal operation)

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Off or constant on >> Record a video of the homing failure and the state of the indicator lights >> Contact Customer Service to report the issue.

    • Possible Causes:
      1. Driver Box failure.
      2. Driver Signal Cable failure (Driver to mainboard).
      3. Driver Power Cable failure (Driver to 48V PSU & motor).

Step 3.2 - Confirm Driver Box wiring and parameters

  • Confirm that the wiring is normal and not loose. If anything is loose, refer to the videos below to reconnect.

  • Confirm the Driver Box parameters. In the center area of each driver box, there are white DIP switches used to set parameters.


    The three driver boxes are for Z-axis (left), X-axis (middle), and Y-axis (right).


    Parameter settings: The switch positions must match the examples below. Z and Y axes share the same parameters, while the X-axis is different.

    Z-axis & Y-axis X-axis
    5, 6, 8 = ON 7, 8 = ON

  • After confirming, test homing again.

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Confirmed, homing successful >> Problem solved

Step 4 - Check the limit switches

Limit switches are used to stop the guide rails and optical axis when the laser head reaches the ends.
Homing issues can be caused by faulty limit switches, causing the laser head not to stop or stop too early.

  • Refer to the video and check if your limit switch icons actuate correctly when pressed.
  • Pressing switch = Icon CLOSED
  • Releasing switch = Icon OPEN   

X-axis and Y-axis Limit Switch Check
 
 
Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Both X and Y axes function normally like in the video >> Proceed to Step 5
  • One or both are not functioning >> Record a video of the problem (Example Video) and proceed to Contact Customer Service
    • Possible Causes:
      1. Mainboard failure
      2. Limit switch failure
      3. Drawing control board failure (Low probability)
      4. 28Pin gray cable failure (Low probability)

Step 5 - Check if Autofocus is working normally

Perform an autofocus to see if it works normally. Click the AF button to confirm the function.



 

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Yes, Autofocus functions normally >> Step 6
  • After completing the above steps, the homing issue persists >> Take a video of the scene (Example Video) and Contact Customer Service. 
    • Possible Causes:
      1. Mainboard is damaged and needs replacement.
      2. Driver Box is damaged and needs replacement (Low probability).
      3. Laser power supply is damaged and needs replacement (Low probability).

Step 6 - Check X-axis Levelness

  • For information on how to test and adjust the X-axis levelness, refer to the following link. Ensure the pulleys are not loose, as shown at the end of the video.
    5-14 X-axis Level Adjustment
    The

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • After adjustment, homing is normal >> Problem solved
  • X-axis is parallel, but Y-axis homing fails >> Proceed to Step 7
  • X-axis is parallel, but X-axis homing fails >> Record a video (Example) and Contact Customer Service.
    • Possible Causes:
      1. X-axis Driver Box failure
      2. Driver Signal Cable failure
      3. Driver Power Cable failure
      4. Mainboard failure (Low probability)

Step 7 - Adjust sensor silver parts and metal tabs:

  • The metal tabs (red circle) of the limit switch may become fatigued over time, affecting the sensitivity. This usually occurs with the Y-axis limit switch.
    Step
     

  • Solution: Please pull the silver part and metal tab to increase sensor sensitivity.

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • After adjustment, the machine can now home >> Problem solved

Step 8 - Extend Y-axis contact surface:

  • The metal tab (red circle) of the limit switch may become fatigued over time, affecting sensitivity. This usually happens on the Y-axis.Step

 

  • As shown below, adding a piece of foam or similar material to the X-axis can temporarily solve the situation where the sheet metal does not reach the Y-axis limit switch.
    Step

Confirm your result and determine the next action:

  • Yes, homing works normally after extending the surface >> Problem solved

Contact Customer Service:

Information collected in this article, such as photos or videos showing machine issues, will need to be shared with your distributor or FLUX technical support.

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