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FANUC Controller
Program/G-code · Intermediate · 5-30 minutes
Fanuc 48 - Reference return not performed
Alarm 048 occurs when the CNC program attempts to execute motion commands or call tool offsets before the machine axes have completed their reference/home position return after power-up. The control requires all axes to be homed to establish the machine coordinate system before executing programmed moves or applying work coordinate offsets.
Fanuc 48 - Reference return not performed
REFERENCE RETURN NOT PERFORMED
Fanuc PS program alarm 48: REFERENCE RETURN NOT PERFORMED. This alarm is triggered by an illegal or incorrectly formatted command in the part program, or a programming condition that the Fanuc control cannot execute.
Root Cause Summary
Alarm 048 occurs when the CNC program attempts to execute motion commands or call tool offsets before the machine axes have completed their reference/home position return after power-up. The control requires all axes to be homed to establish the machine coordinate system before executing programmed moves or applying work coordinate offsets.
Safety
Causes and Fixes
Press the RESET button to clear the alarm.
Select Manual Reference Return mode (typically a key position labeled 'REF' or 'HOME' on the mode selector).
Manually jog each axis in the positive direction until the reference position indicator lights up for all axes (X, Y, Z, and any rotary axes).
Ensure the path is clear before moving each axis. The machine will move to its reference position at the preset reference return speed.
Verify all axis reference position indicators are illuminated on the screen, then switch to your desired operating mode and restart the program.
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