Hi all,

Brand new to the Mach scene.

I am busy setting up my CNC-Plasma and ran into a few hold-ups.

Specs: 2x Nema 34`s on y-axis, 1x Nema 34 on x-axis, 1x Nema 23 on z-axis. Proximity switches (NC; PNP 3-wire) for over-runs and homes. Mach3 Licensed, Sheetcam Licensed.

I got the y- and x- axis to work as required (I think), moving according to Mach`s Axes layout and homing correctly (again, I think).


My problem is with the z-axis, to get it to touch the material.
I have a NC Proxy installed so that when the floating head is in normal position, the proxy is open, so on moving downward (touch off), it will close.
According to what I understand from this thread, the touch-off proxy should be set as Z-home? Is that correct?

If so, then how will the Z-axis retract to the top (lets call it normal home) as to be out of the way when the gantry is homing?


Any help will really be appreciated.

With further research:

Some post say that a limit switch has been used as a probe...


Will a proxy work as a probe? So as to be activated on touch-off?