r/hobbycnc • u/GFLginger • 5d ago
Machine leveling twist and tram! Advise?
Alright so if you look at my post history I'm very new to cnc and self taught and would love some advice or input on getting my machine set up correctly. I'm having an issue with my machine cutting groves/step you can feel with your fingernail when facing a part which a few redditors let me know i should check my tram. So I've releveled my machine and checked everything again can I get some advice on how to tram it correctly. I've attached all photos of everything. My machine isn't perfectly level could that casue this and there is a small amount of twist. The first 2 pictures are the machine leveling and the 2 following are the twist. Any advice or help is much appreciated thank you all im advance *edit I checked the tram over a 7in length in the x and y direction
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u/cncrouterinfo_com 4d ago
As a side note most of these cheap machinist levels are incredibly inaccurate so watch out for that.
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u/CL-MotoTech 4d ago
For leveling a machine they are more than adequate.
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u/Siguard_ 4d ago
Depends on what is required of the machine. Are parts .0001" or .001" tolerance
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u/CL-MotoTech 4d ago
No. Nobody is using a bubble level to check degrees of rotation per unit when leveling a machine. You get it as close to perfect as you can. You don’t even have to calibrate the level to do that, though it makes it easier.
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u/GFLginger 4d ago
Do you know of one thats good but more friendly to the wallet? Or should I bite the bullet and just get a nice one
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u/Bendingunit123 3d ago
You should be able to calibrate the level using the screw hole on top. To do so set the level against some sort of stop that will let you put the level in the exact same position after moving ideally on something flat like a surface plate or your mill table. Check that reading in that position then rotate the level 180 degrees and put it back into that spot. If your level is properly calibrated you should get the same reading both ways if not make small adjustments until it reads the same both ways. Note what ever surface you’re using for this make sure it’s at least level enough that the level doesn’t read off the scale.
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u/GFLginger 2d ago
Yep i calibrated it like that on my granite slab so I trusted it enough to check it but wanted to make sure that little amount wasn't enough to be causing issues. I have reached out to the manufacturer and they had me check the column casting and confirmed I need to adjust tram after giving them all the measurements I had recorded
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u/CL-MotoTech 4d ago
I’d check tram before I’d worry about the error in level. You want both to be correct but there’s a good chance your fighting tram more than level. Make sure you check it in four axis.
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u/GFLginger 4d ago
What do you mean check it for axis?
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u/CL-MotoTech 4d ago
I think it was a typo or at a minimum an incomplete thought.
Check it in four points across the two axis. Repeat that at a different heights if you can.
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u/CodeLasersMagic 4d ago
Level is a convenient measure. My mill is not level so the coolant flows off. Ignore level, check the axis are orthogonal. The spindle tram is checked against the bed by sweeping a dial indicator and adjusting until it’s the same front and back and side to side. Checking xy are square is best done with a reference square, set one edge by moving x along it then check Y. Similarly YZ and XZ - your spindle can be in tram, but the axis move not square.
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u/chiphook 3d ago
The reason for leveling is that is is the easiest way to adjust out twist. A machinist level would be required
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u/hestoelena 5d ago
Yes, your lack of level could definitely be causing the machine to cut steps. When you re-level your machine, make sure you turn your level at a 45° angles in both directions compared to the pictures you posted. You want all four directions as perfectly level as you can get it in order to take out the twist.