Erratic Z axis
- roboDan
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17 Aug 2025 19:20 #333567
by roboDan
Erratic Z axis was created by roboDan
Hello all,
I've recently followed a guide to put together a 3-axis CNC milling machine, as guided by this video . In short, the X and Y axes move the gantry using pulleys on a HTD3M timing belt, and the Z axis uses a 5mm pitch lead screw.
I am using 4 TB6600 stepper motor drivers to drive 4 NEMA 23 motors. Going through stepconf, the X and Y axes run fine and smoothly, but the Z axis refuses to work in the same way. It stutters and erratically changes direction.
I've checked all of the connections for the parallel BOB I am using, the driver and motor itself, and I was able to move the Z axis without issue when I started out with the Arduino GRBL kit that was recommended in the video.
Please let me know what I should be looking for. I'm attaching the ini and hal files to this post, and in the meantime I'll re-check all of the wiring.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I've recently followed a guide to put together a 3-axis CNC milling machine, as guided by this video . In short, the X and Y axes move the gantry using pulleys on a HTD3M timing belt, and the Z axis uses a 5mm pitch lead screw.
I am using 4 TB6600 stepper motor drivers to drive 4 NEMA 23 motors. Going through stepconf, the X and Y axes run fine and smoothly, but the Z axis refuses to work in the same way. It stutters and erratically changes direction.
I've checked all of the connections for the parallel BOB I am using, the driver and motor itself, and I was able to move the Z axis without issue when I started out with the Arduino GRBL kit that was recommended in the video.
Please let me know what I should be looking for. I'm attaching the ini and hal files to this post, and in the meantime I'll re-check all of the wiring.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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- roboDan
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17 Aug 2025 19:27 #333569
by roboDan
Replied by roboDan on topic Erratic Z axis
Well, I apologise - it appears that one of the coil wires was loose! Typical!
After completely removing it and screwing it back into its terminal (while the driver was off), I was able to get a smooth movement out of the Z axis.
Thanks for your time - apologies for not noticing...I've been troubleshooting this thing for days and I may have lost my mind
I'm very much looking forward to using LinuxCNC!
After completely removing it and screwing it back into its terminal (while the driver was off), I was able to get a smooth movement out of the Z axis.
Thanks for your time - apologies for not noticing...I've been troubleshooting this thing for days and I may have lost my mind

The following user(s) said Thank You: tommylight
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