I have a project which is giving me fits. All of the tool path files from this project have the same general issue. gSender throws a message saying “Error 1 - Expected command letter”. How do I find what’s really amiss in the g code? When I run the “outline” of the file, it runs, but when I click “run”, the Z-axis immediately goes up to the limit and throws an error without even starting the spindle. Clearly, something is wrong with the gcode, but I just cannot figure out what. I’ve even regenerated all the tool paths, but none of them work. Other projects are working fine, but not this one. Help!
@Ninefingers Which software are you creating the g-code with ? Is the safe height that you defined for the g-code higher than the spindle can reach, hence tripping an alarm ?
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@Ninefingers There’s also an option in gSender to check the g-code before you run it. It’s disabled by default.
This is a bit of a WAG but I have had errors like that before. I can’t explain the particular error displayed but this happened a few times …..
Check (ie read) the actual gcode file and look for movements to raise the spindle. In my case I believe that the file called for movement outside the allowable z range.
You can also try to run the program (probably best without a bit) by starting with the spindle close to the spoil board. What sometimes happens is that a program might call to raise the spindle to ‘safe height’ prior to an x/y movement. If you started the run with the spindle too high, you will get an immediate error.
Heck, ANY relative x/y/z movement can cause an issue if you happen to start at the wrong place.
Doing an outline doesn’t run the Z axis AFAIK so it would run ok.
If that doesn’t get you the answer, I would try and edit/remove chunks of the gcode file until the file no longer throws an error and locate the problem that way.
Edit: looks like @Chucky_ott beat me to it ….
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I think you guys are absolutely right. The “Home/Start position” is set to 5” above the material, which is 2” thick. Quick math says that’s a total of 7”… clearly, greater than the travel of the AltMill. I’ve left the shop for today, but this is where I’ll start on Friday. Thanks a bunch for the quick help!
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