Grounding zero plate?

[Hoytbasses]

so what i started doing was attaching the clip to one of the bolts that holds the wheels for the Z carriage and in 7 years i've never had a issue of it not connecting to make the circuit.

I'm having trouble visualizing where you're talking about. can you zap a picture? having an alternative to clipping to the bit would be good in a classroom where any of 100 kids will be using the Bot and the probability of someone spinning the alligator clip is pretty high!

thanks

Karl Hoyt
Nauset Regional High School.

[myxpykalix]

I have a 2006 PRT Alpha. Here are a couple pics

[Hoytbasses]

sorry it took a couple days to get back to you. Now I understand the concept: as long as there is electrical continuity between the place you choose to clip the grounding alligator clip and the bit, it will serve the same function! AHA!

So I can experiment with grounding points on the machine and as long as there is continuity, I should be good to go.

This would be great in that this is a high school shop, and clipping the clip to the bit will sooner or later spell disaster ...... At least if the kids press 'go' when it's clipped to a bolt on the machine, it won't become a projectile.

I'll have to experiment tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback.

Karl

[myxpykalix]

yes. If you notice there are a couple allen head screws holding the router in and that might be a more direct and safe place to attach.

[waterwheelman]

I have my zero plate permanently wired to the shopbots ground, similar to what Don has described. It has worked with very little problem for about 10 years. I have a plastic sleeve mounted on the z axis for holding the plate when not in use. It also isolates the plate from touching any of the grounded metal while the ShopBot is cutting.

[bcondon]

I have been following the grounding conversation for a few years and
even though my machine is grounded, I never had any grounding problems.

In my setup, I bolted the controller box right to the frame with steel nuts and bolts. Additionally, I hit the frame with the grinder to clear a small section of blue paint off the frame where I bolted the control box to the frame.

I did ground the control box to the power panel.

All of my wires are under the table which are tied neatly.

I have never had a communication issue with this setup.
I did ground my overhead dust collection hose (internal wire) to the gantry.

I have never had to use the ground clip with the zplate. I just leave the clip laying on the table not touching the plate. I have a 2.2 spindle... I do know that if you use a router, you need the clip (something I learned on the desktop unit!)

I am curious... do folks bolt the controller to the wall or their frame.

My only limitation is building a dovetail fixture (Gary Campbell) would need to be mounted on the far end of the table.

The control box top gives me a great surface to set my wrenches and bits/collets that are being used.

Thanks

Bob COndon