CNC Machine Setup and Alignment Part 3: Table Parallel to Motion

Hello everyone, welcome to At-Man Unlimited. This video series is on machine setup and alignment. We will walk through all the steps needed to get your machine making top notch accurate parts.

In this video we will check to see if the surface of the table moves parallel to the XY plane of motion. By using a dial indicator hanging from Z we can measure if our table is running parallel. We can also verify our table is flat.

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[dylanw]

I think this is excellent advice. Hobby cnc machines are a great way to develop skills and learn a little maintenance diagnosis. I bought a used one. I'm glad I didn't buy it new though. Just got 3 fadals I'm very glad there's such informative resources as this channel. 👍👊

[marson]

Thank you so much for this series. I’m making a diy cnc as a newbie and this is pure gold.

[jsincoherency]

What is the downside of surfacing the table to take the error out of it?

[evanheffley]

I wish the term "level" wasnt used in instances like these. It is used in 3d printing as well to describe the bed. And it confuses so many people. Level is irrelevant (within reason), whats important is that the table, or bed, is moving coplanar to x and y, throughout the movement of x and y. If everything is coplanar, you could machine a part on a mill installed on a battleship with the same accuracy as a mill that was "level", and coplanar.

[tomaszstaron]

Could I ask you to do 1 thing for me? I need a photo of table back side - where the carriages are. Also would be nice if you have some pic what is the distance between them - I'm building my DIY machine based on Fadal VMC15XT - according to the specs and manuals from internet but cant find this information.

[lsmullin]

Not sure if your still checking this but we found that our y axis was .015 off. We have a 2006 boxway. Any ideas on how to go about figuring it out?

[WatchWesWork]

This isn't exactly right. You should not be grinding those shims unless you can verify that your linear guides are in perfect condition. Most likely you have wear in the linear guides. Removing and grinding the shims will just mask the problem more or less like milling the top of the table. The purpose of the shims was to correct the flatness of the table when the machine was originally built. The table was not perfectly flat, so they used the shims to pull it flat. You can't just grind them willy nilly.