Fortus® Motion Faults & Homing Failures
If you searched for Fortus motion fault, Auto Home failure, Failed Auto Z, Auto XYZ failed, X/Y/Z motion fault, Calibration Error 4, Calibration Error 5, or homing timeouts, this page is built to isolate motion failures fast. Most motion faults are not random — they’re an enable condition, a limit switch state, a following/position condition, or an Auto Home sequence that did not complete cleanly.
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Auto Home XYZ Failed Auto Z Calibration Error 4 Calibration Error 5 Limit switch state Enable conditions
Platforms Messages Fast Isolation Auto Home Notes Repair Strategy Related Guides FAQ
Platforms Covered
Applies to Fortus® 360mc, 380mc, 400mc, 450mc, 900mc, and F900. Hardware revisions exist, but Auto Home XYZ and motion fault logic follows consistent patterns.
Fastest Way to Start
Send your model + the exact message text (photo preferred) and tell us when it fails (startup homing / calibration / mid-build). Repeatable faults usually point to a specific axis or a specific enable/limit condition.
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Operator Messages & Common Searches
Common messages
  • Failed Auto Z
  • Auto Home failure / Auto XYZ failed
  • Calibration Error 4 (Z limit switch)
  • Calibration Error 5 (Home Gantry)
  • X Motion Fault / Y Motion Fault / Z Motion Fault
Search phrases
  • Gantry won’t home
  • Bed/table not moving
  • Stuck at startup homing
  • Motion enable / condition not satisfied
Fast Isolation Sequence
The goal is to identify which step in motion validation failed, then isolate the cause. One variable at a time.
1) Identify when it fails
  • Startup homing vs calibration vs mid-build fault
  • Is it always the same axis?
  • Does it fail at the same point (repeatable)?
2) Enable condition check
  • Confirm expected covers/doors/interlocks are satisfied
  • Confirm the system is in a normal operating state
  • Determine whether motion is being disabled by a condition
3) Limit switch state
  • A wrong switch state can prevent Auto Home from completing
  • Stuck/open behavior often presents like a “motion fault”
  • Inspect mounting alignment and cabling where accessible
4) Mechanical restriction
  • Binding/obstruction can cause repeatable failure
  • Inspect belt condition and obvious wear points
  • Confirm smooth travel (where safe to do so)
Key Point
Auto Home XYZ is not just “calibration” — it establishes position references used for repeatable wipe/purge locations and consistent operating behavior. A failed Auto Home is often a limit-state or enable condition that can be isolated quickly.
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Auto Home XYZ Notes
Auto Home XYZ establishes motion references and validates expected limit switch behavior during homing. Failures are typically tied to limit switch activation/state, enable conditions changing during motion, mechanical restriction, or drive disable behavior during the sequence.
Repair Strategy
Motion faults do not automatically mean major assembly replacement. The fastest path is isolating whether the failure is: (1) limit switch / sensor state, (2) wiring/connection, (3) mechanical restriction/wear, or (4) a motion disable event driven by system conditions.
What We Usually Need to Decide Next
  • Exact message text + when it occurs
  • Which axis is involved (if indicated)
  • Whether the fault is repeatable at the same point
  • Any recent change (service work, transport, firmware, etc.)
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Related Fortus® Troubleshooting Guides
The other two Fortus “big three” failure families:
Loss of Extrusion
Blocked-at-head, ghost printing, liquefier restriction, drive/feed issues.
Open Guide
Startup / Boot Failures
No power, UPS faults, black screen, controller not booting, reboot loops.
Open Guide
Support Hub
Return to the main Fortus + F123 support map.
Open Hub
FAQ
What is a Fortus motion fault?
A motion fault occurs when the system disables motion due to enable conditions, limit switch state, following/position validation, or an incomplete Auto Home sequence.
What does “Failed Auto Z” usually mean?
Failed Auto Z indicates the Z routine did not validate expected motion or limit-state behavior. Common causes include limit state issues, mechanical load, restriction, or repeatability problems.
Does a motion fault require major replacement?
Not always. Fault isolation can determine whether the issue is sensor/state, wiring, mechanical restriction, or a condition-driven disable before major replacement.
Which models does this apply to?
Fortus 360mc, 380mc, 400mc, 450mc, 900mc, and F900 systems.
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