9. First Power-On Checklist

What’s Normal, What’s Not, and When to Stop

The first power-on after installing a Conversion Kit can feel stressful. New electronics, new motors, new controller. This checklist is here to help you know what to expect, what’s normal, and what should make you stop immediately.

Read this before powering on for the first time.

Before You Apply Power

Do a quick visual check:

All stepper motors are plugged in
All connectors are fully seated
No loose ferrules or exposed conductors
Homing switches are mounted but not actively triggered
Nothing is mechanically binding
Grounding is connected or planned

If anything feels rushed, stop and fix it now. First power-on is not the time to “see what happens.”

Powering On: What You Should See

Controller Behavior

The Masso Touch screen powers on normally
No error messages immediately on boot
The interface loads to the main screen

This confirms the controller and power supply are healthy.

Stepper Motors

Motors may energize with a slight “click” or resistance
Z-axis motor brake may audibly release
Motors should not move on their own

This is normal and expected.

Indicator Lights

Closed-loop stepper motors may show:
- Green or steady status LEDs
- No flashing alarm lights

If all motors show alarms immediately, stop and recheck wiring and grounding.

Sounds You May Hear (Normal)

A faint hum from energized steppers
A brief relay click inside the controller
Cooling fans turning on

These are normal.

Sounds That Are NOT Normal

Stop immediately if you hear:

Grinding or binding sounds
Repeated clicking from motors
High-pitched squealing
Rapid on/off cycling

These indicate mechanical or wiring issues that must be corrected before continuing.

First Homing Attempt

Before jogging any axis far, run a homing cycle.

What should happen:

Axes move slowly toward homing switches
Each axis triggers its switch and backs off slightly
Machine settles into a known home position

If an axis moves the wrong direction, stop immediately. Do not “see what happens.”

Errors That Are Acceptable (Initially)

Some errors are normal during first power-on and setup:

Homing fails due to switch alignment
Axis alarms due to misconfigured direction
Limit switch triggers if mounted too close

These are configuration or mounting issues, not hardware failures.

Errors That Are NOT Acceptable

Stop and do not continue if you see:

Multiple motor alarms at once
Alarms immediately on boot
Motors energizing but not releasing
Smoke, smell, or heat buildup
Errors that persist after power cycling

Continuing past these can cause permanent damage.

Before Your First Cut

Confirm all of the following:

Homing completes successfully
Jogging works in all directions
Axis directions match expectations
No alarms during idle movement
Spindle control works as expected

Only after this should you move on to cutting material.

When to Pause and Ask for Help

Pause and contact support if:

You’re unsure whether behavior is normal
An alarm keeps returning
Something feels “off” but you can’t explain why

Catching issues early prevents expensive fixes later.

📩 [email protected]

Photos or a short video help us help you faster.

Final Reminder

A calm, deliberate first power-on sets the tone for everything that follows.
Nothing about this process should feel rushed.

If it does, stop and reassess.

You’re building a machine meant to last.