issues in mach 3?

[tm america]

I have a homemade cnc plasma table i am running mach 3 to run the machine the issue i am having is when the torch initially triggers it makes the z axis go to a negative number like -.8 thru-1. when it does this i loose my ability to use my remote pendant to move the z axis down..but it does not actually move the torch below where i set 0 at.. The torch actually does as it is programmed to ..Just the display on the screen acts funny putting me below my soft limits for the z axis.. i have checked to make sure it is not running any offsets nor do i have any homing switches being used?Any ideas will be greatly appreciated..Oh i am running longevity 50i and toshiba tb6560 controller with torchmate cad and cad2plasma for my post processor.I have checked the g code to make sure it is not something that is being programmed... I also ran it without the plasma cutter hooked up to make sure i am not getting any interferance from the cutter.I even unhooked my control box and it still does it . so i am pretty sure it is something in mach that i am just missing?

[SignTorch Vector Art]

soft limits are machine coordinates referenced to some fixed machine home position

if safe z is machine zero, you'd use a work offset to move working Z zero to somewhere above machine zero, then you can travel into negative Z work coordinates (and still be in positive machine coordinates safe within the machine soft limit range)

to set an offset, you can either touch off and hit zero-Z, or position Z where you want it and enter the desired Z value in the Z dro (be sure to hit enter or it won't change)

[tm america]

Thanks signtorch i will give that a try ..oh by the way i purchased your clipart package ..very nice well worth the money.. Looking forward to seeing your future designs