You will need PlanetCNC software for the USB breakout board and when plugging in the USB the computer should automatically recognize the board, however you can go into device manager to see if the USB terminal is working correctly.
The parallel breakout board; the USB is not a connection terminal rather than a power source, and the parallel port will be the communication terminal.
The items you will need for a water cooled spindle would be: water pump, silicon tubing(length desired by customer), a extension cord(from a hardware store(orange))(1 same gauge wire/length as extension cord).

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I have the usb breakout board https://buildyourcnc.com/Item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout and need to run the A axis as a slave the software greys out the box how do I fix this?

You can only use the planet-cnc interfaces with the PlanetCNC software. If you like the software and want to remain with that software, the hardware interfaces will need to be purchased from the planet-cnc folks.

I would recommend using the Pokeys57CNC interface which is compatible with Mach3 and Mach4. You can also consider the Mach3 USB interface if the Pokeys57CNc interface is out of your price range.

Pokeys57CNC product page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Mach3 USB product page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

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I have registered version of planetcnc software that I purchased with a Chinese controller I want to use 3 better drivers with a separate USB controller can you recommend a controller and how to link my existing software. Regards Lloyd from Australia

The velocity is too high and/or the acceleration is too high and/or the axis is not calibrated and the motor is trying to move too fast, or trying to move too much inertia that the rated torque cannot overcome.

The recommended action would be to lower the velocity and the acceleration and do a calibration using the "set steps per unit" wizard on the settings tab of Mach3.

Once the calibration is completed and you have confirmed that the motor is moving the correct distance in reality compared to the DRO (digital readout) in Mach3, then you can increase the velocity and acceleration in the motor tuning section of Mach3 (config -> motor tuning).

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Developed an issue, when moving the y-axis it started to move, than stalled and sounded like gears grinding. Had to re-zero the y-axis. Using the USB controller with Mach3 software. What would cause this?

The USB controller will only work with the Planet-CNC software. This software is well made and will provide great functionality. The planet-cnc software delivers instructions to the microcontroller on the board and the microcontroller will send out the pulse trains needed to move the machine correctly.

There are two main alternatives if you want to use the mach3 software:
First, get a parallel port card and add it to your computer and get a parallel breakout board. If you have a laptop/notebook computer, this will not be possible.
Second, if you have a laptop, or really want to use the USB as the main interface for controlling the machine, you will need to get the smoothstepper board which works with mach3. The price combination is much higher than the USB controller with planet-cnc, but will work with Mach3.

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The planet cnc controller can be prone to electrical interference and has been known to cause such problems. In the first instance try to use a quality double sheilded USB cable, hopefully this will fix your problem. Alternatively you may need to sheild your limit switch, estop and or motor cabling. My pick is that a quality USB cable will fix it though, worked for me.

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I have your USB controller sitting here and want to control it with something other than PlanetCNC control software?

Yes, you can connect a THC, Torch Height Controller, with the Mach3 USB controller. The THC uses the inputs to determine if the z axis needs to move up or down according to the arc of the plasma torch. The THC connects its outputs to the inputs of the controller so the controller will be informed of the states of the plasma torch.

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I am interested in using the Mach3 USB interface board. I was wondering if there was a way to run a torch height controller with this board for use with a plasma cutter, and if so do you know of any THCs that will work. Thank you.

I would not recommend slaving an axis using the method of taking an additional axis from the USB interface. Instead, wire both drivers to a single axis on the USB interface. This will insure perfect signal output to both drivers. If you requre the motors to spin in opposite directions, simply wire one of the motors to the driver reversing the coil A and B connections, or use a hex inverter (https://www.buildyourcnc.com/tutorials/Tutorial-Two-Motors-Spinning-Oppositely-On-Single-Axis).

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I purchased a USB Breakout board, motors and drivers, paid for CNC USB Controller Software and I CAN NOT "Slave" an axis, but there is an option to do that. The moment I connect USB Breakout Board "Slave" option becomes shaded and I can no longer select it (becomes not functional). What is going on? Need help asap. Thanks

Please email us at customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for replacments/refunds.

However dealing with Autodesk Fusion, did you choose the postprocesser ending with g-code or Mach 3? Using these postprocesser's will work with the planet-cnc program!
Our parallel BoB, with linux-cnc or Mach 3 will work with the arch definition.

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Planet-CNC's USB Controller Software doesn't support the arc definition. Can I get a refund for their hardware I purchased from you? I need something that supports gcode generated by Autodesk Fusion or supports the gcode definition http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gcode.html ?

Planet CNC has the option to turn off these outputs on your USB board. Under the File/settings/Pins. You will have Spindle (M3,M4,M5) Coolant (M7,M8,M9) as available output pins. On the drop down tabs for these output pins you will have this option ( --- ), if selected it will turn of that output pin in your board and you will get not voltage change in the pin.

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Cannot activate output in mkx

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On the USB controller I am unable to get voltage from the Mist relay block on the board. The Flood and Spindle produce a voltage change correctly. Is there a setting I am missing?

if you purchased the USB interface, you will need planet-cnc software rather than Mach3, and you will need a usb cable to connect the usb interface to the computer.

The blackToe 2x4 CNC Machine Kit with optional table will need wire to connect the electronics. Don't forget to get some end mills to use for cutting the intended material.


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If I purchase the [blackToe 2x4 v4.1 CNC Machine Kit - USB Electronics - Table Included] all I would need for this CNC to be fully operational is a laptop with mach 3 software and a router. Is this correct?

The usb controller will only work with the planet-cnc software which is software that will work in Windows.

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Does USB Controller Breakout support Linux Ubuntu and does the software support command line interface (to control it with python scripts for example)

The usb controller will only work with the planet-cnc software which is software that will work in Windows.

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Does USB Controller Breakout support Linux Ubuntu and does the software support command line interface (to control it with python scripts for example)

You can download a trial version of PlanetCNC software from their site at http://www.planet-cnc.com/index.php?page=software to see how you like the interface. If you look at their main GUI screen, along the left side you will see 4 boxes labeled X,Y,Z and A. These represent the axes the software is equipped to control. (A being Axial, or rotational motion) Typically a separate motor and driver is used to control each axis. If you plan to switch axes you will need to connect and disconnect the outputs from your software to the drivers.

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sorry, this is what i meant to say: OK, so if I use the USB version then I would find the rotary/linear axis definitions in the planet cnc control software somewhere. I will be needing to change axis type often for various projects that is why I am asking.

You want to look for the analog input terminals in the wiring diagram in the manual for your VFD. I believe the VFD you have, the XSY-AT1 has three terminals that will accept an analog voltage to adjust the speed. These terminals are:
COM or ACM - this is where the ACM from the controller will connect
VI/CI - The AVI will connect to this terminal which is the actual voltage level that will determine the speed from 0 to 10V.
10V - This connects to the 10V terminal of the controller which will provide 10V to the controller allowing the top voltage reference for the controller. This will provide a 0 to 10V range for the AVI or VI/CI terminals, and if 5V is available on the VFD, then the range will be 0 to 5V.

The parameter you need to change in the VFD is P10 which will change the source of the frequency, either the control panel which is the default (0 or 1, keys or potentiometer - dial, if that is available on the VFD), External analog signals which are the ACM, VI/CI and 10V/5V terminals in the VFD, or the RS485 which is a serial connection to the computer. You want to set this parameter to the External terminals which may be 2, but check your manual for the proper value.

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I'm hooking up the VFD Controller to the USB controller to control the speed of the spindle. In your video you have the wire from the USB controller to the ACM of the VFD controller. The VFD controller I have is a XSY-AT1 model AT1-2200s. It does not have an ACM contact. It does however have a SP1 contact, is this where I land that wire?

Recommend first test to check a non-working axis, is to connect the current working axis(ex X-axis) to either the y/z axis to test the actual board and wiring in other axis setup. If tests failed and working (x-axis setup) does not working in the new axis location, go the Planet-CNC/File/Settings/Axes and check if your current non-working axis setup requires a inverted pulse. Check box and test again.
Next test if first fails, is to check continuity in your wires. A simple multimeter(ohm's) will work, just connect the positive and negative ends to one side of the same wire and if reading comes to 0.000, wire has continuity and if reads 0.L then there is a break in the wire and should be replaced.

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I installed the USB CNC Planet and got out of your USB controler $ 75 .Viska have linked to a video 'Party - 2.. X - running and y and z-axis does not work, it moves step motors and controller positions X -axis works, and Y and Z does not work.

To install the USB breakout board, there will be no driver to install nor any pop-up will be viewed in your windows task-bar, except only to notify that a USB device has been connected.

If you have planet-cnc installed it should automatically ask for a license number, which if you don't have you will continue without entering any numbers. Please read carefully since there is a pop-up that can erase the entire firmware on your board, and you will basically have a dead board.

Please email customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for further assitance.

Additional Information:
For Windows 8.1 you need to follow special driver installation steps. Download Planet-cnc software MANUAL and scroll down to that paragraph (without it you will not be able to install and use your board).

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I trying to setup your USB Controller card. The planetcnc does not load the card, no driver for usb card. Using windows 8.1.

No, we have gotten away from the planet-cnc boards as they have decided to not support our board with their software. You can use the Mach3 USB board as an alternative. You will be better off with Mach3 as a control software as this is widely used and supported.

Mach3 USB board:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

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I have the older discontinued USB breakout board. The y-axis no longer works and have traced it to the breakout board. Is there a replacement board that can use the same Planet CNC software running on Windows 10?

If you want speed control, it is recommended to use the RS-485 connection on the VFD and use the control program such as Mach3 to communication serially with the VFD using this RS-485 connection.

If you would rather use a controller such as the PMDX-107 to simulate the effect of a potentiometer using the Aref, Aout and Agnd and the Rev/Dir and Fwd/Run terminals to control operation and direction, you can connect those to the VFD.

PMDX-107 Aout connects to the VI (analog voltage in). This is like the wiper on a potentiometer.
PMDX-107 Agnd connects to the ACM terminal on the VFD for Analog common.
PMDX-107 COM connects to DCM terminal on the VFD for Digital common.
PMDX-107 Fwd/Run connects to the FOR terminal on the VFD for Forward.
PMDX-107 Rev/Dir connects to the REV terminal on the VFD for Reverse.

Refer to your PMDX-107 manual to correctly configure your dip switch settings and make sure to calibrate (tweak) the speed control using the trimmer next to the terminals on the PMDX-107.

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I have the USB controller board and the 8825 step driver. I need a wiring diagram between the two. Specifically, what does the GND pin on the X-axis connect to? Also, what does the 5V pin on the driver connect to?

You can find a wiring diagram here:
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/

The CP terminal is wired to the step terminal on the 8825 step driver.
The CW terminal is wired to the direction terminal on the 8825 step driver.
The GND terminal connects to the GND on the 8825 step driver

The 5V connector on the driver simply powers the logic side of the chip and needs to connect to VCC pin on the keyboard jog.

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Thanks! Working now.

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I have the USB controller board and the 8825 step driver. I need a wiring diagram between the two. Specifically, what does the GND pin on the X-axis connect to? Also, what does the 5V pin on the driver connect to?

Take a look at these two videos that I created today on Instagram on the proper wiring of a relay to the Mach3 USB controller.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMYGGBtj3cq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMYLvq9DXVK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Don't forget to watch the initial video on the Mach3 USB outputs on the Mach3 USB product page (last video on that page):
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

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Hi I am trying to activate Mach3 USB Controller Output Terminals to activate a plasma from a output relay. I have looked at the video and applied 24VDC to 24v and dcm and measured from 24v and out1 and get no voltage when activating torch on mach3. The output 1 or 2 does not work.