You should have no problem connecting the Pokeys57CNC controller to the drivers of your machine as long as the drivers have step (Pulse or PUL) and direction (DIR) terminals. You will need the cable pack that is sold separately so you can connect the headers/connectors of the pokeys57cnc controller to the drivers using ribbon cables.

I show this process in great detail on this page:
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Is you scroll down on the page, you will see a set of videos that show the process step-by-step.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have a ShopBot CNC that was converted to Mach 3. The controller has gone out. I pourchased your Pokeys57 board, but I'm not sure I have everything I need. I think my motor drivers are OK, but am not sure how to wire them to what I purchased from you. Need Help. How can we make this work, or do I need a different board to distribute the movement signals to my drivers?

Thanks for the information. The system I sell (Ruida DSP Controller RD RDC6442G) can help as it is specifically designed for Laser machines and can be very fast for engraving swings, acceleration, and speed control specifically designed for the laser intensity. The Ruida controller works very well with the Lightburn software. Ruida controllers are very widely used in the laser community.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[787] Few month ago I finished my own design an also finish to built it . The control I use is arduino uno with cnc shield v3. The machine works perfectly. But... very slow. I try and change the controller to dlc32 v2. It does not work for me. Too many problems. I tried every option fro github and only frustration is what I gain. Can your system be helpfull?. I use light burn as my design program

All of our controller will allow two steppers on any of the axes. Multiple stepper motors and drivers on a single axis is more a function of the way the stepper motor drives are connected to the output pins of the controller. To connect two stepper drivers to a single axis, you need to connect the output pins (dir and step) to each of the two stepper motor drivers.

Consider the controller on cost, features and how they are connected to the computer.

Out lowest cost controllers are:

Mach3 USB board - Has good features and uses the USB from the computer as the main connection
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Parallel Breakout - The computer generates the main signals and this board conditions the signals for the drivers. Although it requires the parallel port from older computer, the board has the most broad compatibility with control software out there including Mach3 and LinuxCNC.
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

Highest cost but most feature rich:

Pokey57CNC - works with both Mach3 and Mach4
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am looking for a controller for a 3 axis dual Y stepper cnc machine. If at all possible I would like a list of the parts that will be needed. I prefer to go with an ethernet setup vs a parallel port.

Absolutely! You can have almost unlimited limit switches and home switches on this controller. It all comes down to the wiring scheme used. I recommend the home switches be on separate input terminals. For example, IN1 would have the X home switch, IN2 would have the Y home switch and, IN3 would have the Z home switch if you plan on using home switches for the Z axis.

Adding the limit switches, these can be located on any input you want, even on the IN1, 2 or 3. The wiring scheme I like to use is as follows:
- IN1 has the X home, X limit ++, and X Limit --
- IN1 has the Y home, Y limit ++, and Y Limit --
- IN1 has the Z home, Z limit ++, and Z Limit --

In most cases, the Limit -- is the same switch as the Home switch.

These can be wired as NC (Normally closed) as a serial scheme, or as NO (Normally open) as a parallel scheme.

To understand the limits and wiring schemes, check out this video:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[575] Hi, for the manage the limit switches, is it possible to have, for example, the same limit switch for X-- and X homing? And what is the configuration in mach3? In my CNC machine they are in the same position. Thank you

Using Anti-Freeze in the cooling system with either our spindle or our laser tubes will not have any problems and we recommend using a small amount in locations where temperature is freezing or below.
Although we do not recommend using an entire gallon of anti-freeze rather just a small quantity with tap water will be sufficient.

Additional Information:


Additional Information:
All last winter, the temperature was below freezing and sometimes below zero. I used 100% antifreeze for the spindle coolant. Worked great !! All the spindle needs is any type of coolant flowing through it to take the heat away. I use three gallons of antifreeze in a tub with a fish-tank pump to push the antifreeze through. 100% antifreeze works great in cold or hot winter.

Additional Information:
Excellent tip. Thank you for this correction. So it is OK to use antifreeze solely as a cooling method.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Can anti-freeze be used as a coolant for your 40W laser tube? I live where winter temperatures are below freezing and my CNC machine is in my unheated garage.

We could not guarantee, nor say, whether or not your current software would be able to utilize the USB breakout board. Our USB breakout board is designed for use with Planet CNC software found here, http://www.planet-cnc.com/index.php?page=software

As far as we know, this is the only CNC Controller software that operates on a USB breakout controller.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I want to change my old DSP controller and break out board with new one in your site that support usb it is possible ? if yes can we contact us to talking about details ?

The Mach3 USB interface board requires 24V relays externally. There are no relays on the mach3 usb board. If you use an external relay on the mach3 usb board, the relay connects to the V+ which is 24V and the output pin is the return.

Additional Information:
I understand what you are saying. Does your relay board work with the Mach3 USB board? If not, what relay board do you suggest to work with this usb controller?

Additional Information:
Our relay board works with our parallel breakout board. An off the shelf SSR (Solid State Relay) made for 24V should work fine.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have your Mach3 usb interface board and am interested in the relay board to turn plasma torch on/off. I have a different relay board that doesn't work, it needs 0/5v from output pin to trigger and the usb board doesn't put out 5 volts. Does this relay board need 5v on output or will work fine with this usb controller?

I can provide a drawing for that part or I can sell you the part of the machine that you need. Just email me at customerservice@buildyourcnc.com with a description of the part you need.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How can I get a replacement part for my Green Lean machine that i cant order from the Stuff For Sale page? I need the bearing truck plate for the Constant Force Spring. Or is there someplace I can get a drawing of the part so that I can make one?

The diagram for wiring the USB interface board is located here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/

Under the board illustration, there are three smaller diagrams of limit switch wiring. On each, there are two connections, the GND and the pin which are labeled at the ends of the circuit on the diagrams. The pin side would go to the axis label ++ or -- terminal (i.e. X++, or X--). The other end, labeled GND would connect to any ground terminal on the board.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am using 5 limit switches on my 3 axis machine. I am using the usb controller for planet cnc. I would like to know where all the wires related to the limit switches get connected? A diagram would be helpful.

The Mach3 USB interface board requires 24V relays externally. There are no relays on the mach3 usb board. If you use an external relay on the mach3 usb board, the relay connects to the V+ which is 24V and the output pin is the return.

Additional Information:
I understand what you are saying. Does your relay board work with the Mach3 USB board? If not, what relay board do you suggest to work with this usb controller?

Additional Information:
Our relay board works with our parallel breakout board. An off the shelf SSR (Solid State Relay) made for 24V should work fine.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I bought a 'BuildyourCNC V1' relay board to go with my mach3 usb controller. I have been sent a 'Songle' relay. It's not the one in your picture and it's got different connections, for which there isn't a wiring diagram. The one I ordered says it is 5v, this one seems to be saying it's a 24v unit. Can you please explain what has happened? Thanks

The Mach3 USB interface board requires 24V relays externally. There are no relays on the mach3 usb board. If you use an external relay on the mach3 usb board, the relay connects to the V+ which is 24V and the output pin is the return.

Additional Information:
I understand what you are saying. Does your relay board work with the Mach3 USB board? If not, what relay board do you suggest to work with this usb controller?

Additional Information:
Our relay board works with our parallel breakout board. An off the shelf SSR (Solid State Relay) made for 24V should work fine.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I bought a 'BuildyourCNC V1' relay board to go with my mach3 usb controller. I have been sent a 'Songle' relay. It's not the one in your picture and it's got different connections, for which there isn't a wiring diagram. The one I ordered says it is 5v, this one seems to be saying it's a 24v unit. Can you please explain what has happened? Thanks

Yes, you can find all of the instructions for the blackToe CNC Router here:
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blacktoe-v4-2x4

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I recently purchase the BlackToe v2.1 (4x8) at a local school auction. The table is complete, however, it is missing the spindle and came in 4 (four) separate pieces. Are there plans for this machine that I would be able to use to reconstruct and determine if anything else is missing.

The motor is helped by the mechanical leverage of the screw. The 425 oz-in motors that are included in the standard electronics combo has very high torque for that type of machine. You will have no problem using that motor for the book machine.

We use that motor for very heavy spindles on the blackToe and blackFoot CNC Machine kits.

You will need to do the mechanical leverage calculation along with the torque of the motor to determine the actual weight it will lift. The calculation will need to consider the type and pitch of the screw and it would also consider the gravity constant of 9.8 m/s/s.

If you need me to determine this formula and work out the calculation based on the screw you are using, please let me know.

Additional Information:
thank you for the reply. I would be really good to know the calculation. The lead screw is 1/2" diameter with 13 TPI. Please provide the calculation. And one more question. If I am cutting 18mm MDF with 6mm cutting bit (so 6mm pass), what can be the maximum speed rate of cutting and spindle speed of router?
thank you

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I received the electronics for book build cnc machine. I need to know how much weight the z-axis motor can hold since my (craftsman) router seems to be heavy. It is 2HP with variable speed

With our current models, that is a no. However our machines have the ability to be expanded length wise to the customer's choice. So you can design a share table if you add the required length of chain and rails and design the table accordingly to your specifications.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
The blackFoot 4'x8' CNC machine. Can Gantry be removed for festool track saw operation? A shared table situation. I am thinking that would be a no answer. But maybe a future design feature as run the gantry to far end and add a short opposite end section to allow a shared table set up.

Yes, servo motors can be mounted on this machine. If the mounting dimensions are different than NEMA 23 or NEMA 34, then all you need to do is keep the center of the motorshaft with the center of the bearing location and locate the mounting holes for he servo you wish to use. Most industrial servos used for these machines share the same mounting dimensions and NEMA specifications.

Additional Information:
This machine is one of the most customizable machines out in the wild. Customers of these machines have fashioned many modifications to suit their needs.

Additional Information:
20

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[796] Hello. To what extent can the design plans be customized? For example, if I wanted servo motors instead of steppers? That would requirements for motor mounting, controls, and electrical. Thank you.

We would highly recommend using our forums to sell you machine buildyourtools.com.
We currently do not have a page or option to allow our customers to sell our machines, you can also contact us at customerservice@buildyourcnc.com, for further assistance dealing with the machine and in regards to selling it.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have a blueChick 13"x24" or 13"x36" Desktop CNC Router Kit v3.0 (Timing Belt) that I've assembled but never was able to get it running. Can BuildYourCNC assist me in selling this machine? Do you have used machine offerings on your site?

Polabs prepared step by step user guide for PoKeys57CNC and Mach4 to try answering such questions. It is available in our downloads section: https://www.poscope.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Pokeys/LibrariesAndPlugins/Mach4 and PoKeys57CNC - step by step guide.pdf

Click the link to add information to this solution:
What is the 24VDC Power requirement for the Pokeys47CNC? 1A, 2A? ...I'm running a separate 36VDC PS to the Stepper drivers and a 24VDC PS to the Controller.

Do both motors, the main and slave work correctly when using the arrow keys?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How do you slave an axis with mach3 and pokeys57cnc? My slave axis is only going one direction as a slave and goes correctly in both directions when I direct it with an xbox controller.

The THC and the triggering of the plasma are actually two different functions of a controller. To trigger a plasma cutter, you can use one of the outputs of the Mach3 USB controller (out 1, 2, 3, or 4). That output can be connected to a relay that connects to the two wires that will trigger the plasma.

This video will show how this is done:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[575] How can I wire/ configure for a plasma cutter without THC? Plasma cutter has a cnc port, where when you short two of the pins, it activates the cutter. Just looking to see how to make that short when pressing f5 in Mach3.