A head that won’t home, jobs that start in the wrong place, a “slop over” error, or cuts that come out offset or doubled usually trace to one of four things: the file fitting the bed, the origin, the belts, and the homing move on power-up.
Work the software causes first — frame errors and a stray origin are the most common and take seconds to clear. Mechanical and controller faults come last, and the deeper ones route to Boss support rather than guesswork.
Power off before you reach in
Turn the machine OFF before clearing an obstruction or touching a belt, rail, or the gantry — the head can move under power without warning. Don’t force a stalled or grinding axis; that’s a stop-now signal, not something to push through.
What you’ll need
- No tools for the software checks (frame and origin)
- An Allen key set, if you need to check belt tension
- A clean cloth for the rails
Step 01
Clear a Frame or Slop-Over error
Goal: Get past the error the machine throws when a job won’t fit.
Actions
- An X or Y Slop Over / Frame Over error appears when the file is too big for the worktable or positioned off the usable area.
- Run the Frame function to see the job’s outline before cutting — if it runs off the bed, the file overextends the table.
- Move the design onto the bed or shrink it, then re-frame. Confirm the head has room to travel the whole outline.
- Check that the origin isn’t set out near an edge (next step).
If it passes
The frame traces fully on the bed with no error → you’re clear to run.
If it fails
Error persists even with a small file well inside the bed → reset the origin.
Step 02
Reset the origin
Goal: Fix a job that keeps starting in the same wrong place.
Actions
- If every file starts at the same spot, an Origin was set by accident.
- Press Z/U and cycle to Axis Reset+, then highlight XY Axis Reset and select it — the head returns to its home position and the origin is cleared.
- To set a new origin on purpose, jog the head to where you want the job to start and press the Origin key.
- Re-run the Frame to confirm the job now sits where you expect.
If it passes
The job starts where you place it → done.
If it fails
Head still won’t home, or moves erratically → check the belts and mechanics.
Step 03
Check the belts and mechanics
Goal: Rule out mechanical causes of missed steps and offset cuts.
Actions
- Boss recommends checking belt tension at least every 6 months. The two side belts move the gantry front-to-back and should carry the same tension — no slack, sag, or flapping.
- If one belt is looser, it can stretch unevenly; tension both on the same schedule.
- A belt worn on one side points to a bearing or alignment issue — inspect the bearings and rails for damage or debris.
- Wipe the rails clean; binding or grit causes missed steps and offset, doubled, or skewed output.
If it passes
Belts are even and the rails run clean → test a job.
If it fails
Grinding, stalling, or offset persists → power off and continue below.
Step 04
Homing on power-up
Goal: Decide what’s safe to check yourself, and when to call.
Actions
- On power-up the head should seek its home position smoothly. Grinding or stalling at the limit is a stop-now signal.
- Power the machine OFF, then clear any obstruction on the rails or gantry and confirm nothing blocks travel.
- Power back on and watch the homing move. A clean home means the axis, limit sensor, and controller agree.
- Repeated homing failure, limit-switch faults, or controller errors are service items — contact Boss technical support rather than forcing the machine.
If it passes
The head homes cleanly on power-up → you’re good.
If it fails
It still won’t home, or throws a controller/limit fault → contact Boss technical support.
Before Production
Confirm a clean home and a correct frame before you run.
Once the head homes cleanly and the frame traces where you expect, you’re ready to cut. Repeated homing failures, limit-switch faults, or controller errors are service items — Boss’s US-based technical support can help.