MASSO Documentation

 
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Setup MASSO Mill

Quick Start Guide – MASSO G3 Mill Configuration

 

These notes have been created to assist new users in setting up key configuration properties in MASSO. This guide is not intended to be a complete configuration manual but instead provides practical guidance on the correct configuration sequence, highlights common pitfalls, and offers helpful tips for first-time users.

 

Some configuration items must be completed in the correct order or the system will not function as expected. While it is natural to want to see motion as quickly as possible, progressing slowly and carefully in small steps is usually far faster than rushing ahead and needing to troubleshoot issues later.

 

This guide does not cover the physical wiring of hardware connected to MASSO.

 

Getting Started

To begin configuring MASSO, you must connect, at a minimum, a power supply, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It is recommended that you also connect your E-Stop switch, motor drives, limit switches, auto tool zero, and VFD, although these can be connected progressively as each system is configured.

 

Download Your Software

Your software is downloaded from the myWorkshop portal. Login details are emailed to you at the time of purchase, and step-by-step instructions for downloading the software are available here: https://docs.masso.com.au/my-workshop

 

Power

Please note that a 1 amp fuse must be installed in the power feed supplying MASSO G3. An accidental short circuit on the auxiliary power terminals can cause permanent damage to the main board if this fuse is not fitted.

 

 

Powering up MASSO

 

Safe working Practices when wiring MASSO

Load Your Software

Follow the instructions provided in the links below to load your software onto MASSO.

 

 

 

INFORMATION: Most software loading issues occur because the F1 key is not pressed repeatedly within the first four seconds after powering on MASSO. If the software loading screen does not appear, power off the controller and try again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Default Password

The default User and Admin password for MASSO is HTG. Instructions for changing these passwords are available via the link below.

 

 

Password

 

Emergency Stop (E-Stop)

An E-Stop switch is mandatory, and MASSO will not operate without one. Ensure your E-Stop is correctly connected before proceeding.

 

 

EStop Wiring

 

INFORMATION: The way the E-Stop is wired depends on whether a pendant is used.

 

WARNING: E-Stop wiring must be carried out in accordance with the safety regulations applicable in your country or region. When the E-Stop is pressed, MASSO will place the machine into feed hold and stop the spindle; however, all drives and actuators must be disabled directly by the E-Stop circuit. The E-Stop input on MASSO is designed only to indicate that an E-Stop has been pressed and must not be relied upon as a primary safety disconnect.

 

INFORMATION: When an E-Stop is pressed, axes decelerate to a stop rather than stopping instantly. If an immediate stop is required, the drive enable circuits must be wired through an E-Stop relay. MASSO provides a TTL output labelled ES that can be used to control a relay for disabling external hardware such as motor drives and VFDs.

 

 

 

 

Axis Wiring

Motor wiring depends on the type of motor being used. Examples for stepper and servo motors are provided at the link below.

 

 

https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/setup-and-calibration/axis-servo-stepper-examples

 

 

 

 

 

 

Axis Configuration

 

Distance per revolution: How far your axis travels in one revolution of the motor.

 

Pulses per revolution: How many steps it will take for your motor to complete 1 revolution

 

Maximum feedrate: Defines your axis rapid speed.

 

Acceleration setting: Determines how quickly your axis accelerates to your chosen feedrate.

 

Travel Minimum: This value determines the extent of travel for the axis in the negative direction

 

Travel Maximum: This value determines the extent of travel for the axis in the positive direction

 

Invert direction: If your axis travels in the wrong direction, put a check in this box to reverse it.

 

Backlash: Enter your axis backlash. Note that it must not exceed 10mm or 0.3937”

 

 

 

INFORMATION: The most common mistake made by new users is leaving the minimum and maximum travel values set to zero. These values form part of the MASSO soft limit system, and if they are left at zero the axis will not move. It is recommended that large temporary travel values are entered until proper limits are configured. The maximum travel value must always be greater than the minimum travel value or the axis will only move in one direction.

 

Axis calibration instructions

Rotary Axis

Information on configuring and calculating a rotary axis is available in the Rotary Axis Quick Start Guide.

 

 

Setting up a Rotary Axis

 

Jogging

Jogging can only be performed from the F3 Jogging screen. Jogging can be done using a mouse, touchscreen, keyboard, or pendant.

 

 

Keyboard key shortcuts page

 

INFORMATION: If jogging does not work, use the mouse to click the jog buttons. This is the best way to rule out issues with keyboards, pendants, or touchscreens.

 

INFORMATION: If the axis DRO does not change, the physical axis will not move. Travel limit warnings will be shown on the jog buttons when a limit is reached.

 

INFORMATION: An axis will not move if any of the following values are set to zero: distance per revolution, pulses per revolution, maximum feedrate, or acceleration. Unused axes should still be configured with valid dummy values.

 

 

 

 

Pendant

No software configuration is required for the MASSO MPG pendant. Once connected, the pendant will operate immediately.

 

To enable the E-Stop button on the pendant, the E-Stop must be wired in accordance with the E-Stop instructions linked below. When the E-Stop is wired through the pendant, removing the pendant will trigger an E-Stop alarm. The pendant must be reconnected to clear the E-Stop condition.

 

 

MPG pendant wiring instructions

 

Wiring only one e stop on MPG pendant instructions

 

The most common issue new users experience with pendants is the use of third-party pendants that contain incompatible MPG hardware. Although these pendants may appear identical externally, they use different internal components. The official MASSO MPG pendant can be purchased from here: MASSO MPG pendant

 

INFORMATION: USB pendants of any type are not supported by MASSO.

 

Homing Switches and Setting Up Homing

Homing switches can be mechanical, optical, magnetic, or proximity sensors. Each axis must have a homing switch fitted, including any software-slaved axes that are used for auto-squaring.

 

All homing switches must normally display a Low state on the F1 screen and change to High when triggered. If the logic state is reversed, the input logic can be toggled using the spacebar.

 

 

INFORMATION: If the homing speed is set too high, the axis may overshoot the homing sensor and be unable to back off. If the sensor cannot be cleared within 10 mm or 3/8 inch, a homing alarm will be generated.

 

Homing setup instructions

 

 

 

 

Hard Limits

After the machine has been homed, the homing inputs also function as hard limit inputs. For hard limits to operate correctly, all limit switches must be positioned outside the usable axis travel range. If a hard limit is triggered before the axis reaches its full travel, motion will be restricted.

 

Soft limits should be configured first, with hard limits used as a final safety measure. When a hard limit is triggered, the axis will decelerate to a stop rather than stopping instantly. Hard limits can be disabled in the General Settings menu if required.

 

 

INFORMATION: If homing sensors or switches are mounted on the moving carriage with fixed triggers placed at each end of axis travel, a single sensor or switch can be used for both homing and hard limit detection at both ends of the axis.

 

Soft Limits

Soft limits are used to prevent machine motion beyond the physical limits of the machine, which helps avoid crashes caused by incorrect G-code commands. If soft limits are configured incorrectly, they can restrict axis movement or, in extreme cases, prevent the machine from moving at all.

 

 

Minimum and maximum travel setup instructions

 

 

 

 

Auto Tool Zero

Auto Tool Zero is used to automatically calculate and manage tool length offsets. MASSO records a reference measurement when the machine is homed and returns to the tool touch-off position whenever a tool change is requested.

 

The thickness of the auto tool zero touch-off plate is not critical, as it is used only as a reference point. Tool length is calculated based on the difference between the cutter zero position and the initial reference measurement taken during homing.

 

 

CAUTION: A tool must never be changed after the machine has been homed unless MASSO specifically instructs you to do so. If a tool is changed manually after homing, the machine must be re-homed immediately to establish a new reference point. Failure to do this will result in incorrect tool length calculations for all subsequent tool changes.

 

Automatic tool length setup instructions

 

 

 

 

Probing

This section covers Z-height probing only, although MASSO provides additional probing routines for other applications. Z-height probing can be performed using either the inside or outside probing screens.

 

 

 

Part probing instructions

 

To probe Z height, enter the thickness of the touch-off plate into the Z Offset field. When using a probing tool, the Z Offset must be set to zero and the probe diameter must be entered instead. A probing feedrate must be set, and the settings must be saved before probing is started. 

 

 

Probing is initiated by pressing the centre square on the probing screen. Once probing is complete, MASSO will automatically update the DRO with the new Z value.

 

 

INFORMATION: If you want to reference the cutter to the surface of the spoilboard, you can enter the negative value of the nominal material thickness into the Set Z field. For example, when using 18 mm material, entering -18 will correctly calculate the Z reference.

 

 

 

 

Controlling the Spindle Using a VFD

 

WARNING: Extreme care must be taken when setting up a VFD and spindle, as these devices operate at high voltages and can cause serious injury or death if handled incorrectly. If there is any uncertainty during installation, a suitably qualified electrical technician must be consulted. VFDs are complex devices that must be installed by a certified person, and incorrect wiring or configuration can result in damage to both the VFD and the spindle.

 

Various VFD connection examples are provided in the documentation as reference only. It is not practical to provide examples for every VFD model, so the example that most closely matches your VFD should be used.

 

MASSO provides a 0–10 V analogue signal for spindle speed control and two open-collector optical outputs for spindle direction control, supporting forward (clockwise) and reverse (counter-clockwise) operation.

 

 

 

Spindle setup instructions

 

Spindle VFD wiring examples

 

INFORMATION: The most common issue users experience when following the VFD installation video is skipping steps or not completing the process in sequence. Steps such as configuring the VFD for manual operation may seem unnecessary, but they are critical. If the VFD cannot be operated manually using simple switches and a potentiometer, it will not function correctly when connected to MASSO. Completing the setup step by step and testing as you go may take slightly longer but can save significant troubleshooting time.

 

INFORMATION: The spindle will not start unless both a speed command and a direction command are issued. This requires an S command to set the speed, along with an M3 or M4 command to set the rotation direction.

 

 

 

 

Last Updated On 22 January, 2026

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