To home the z-axis using a plate:
- Connect the end mill using a large clamping device like an alligator clip with a wire connected to GND.

- Connect the plate (solder a wire to the plate) to one of the input pins.

- You can use the autoset to setup that pin in Mach3 simply by touching the two together once connected to the pin and GND.

Alternatively, the end mill can be connected to the pin and the plate connected to GND as long as there becomes a complete circuit when the end mill touches the plate.

To setup homing for the Planet-CNC homing and limits, go to the Planet-CNC Machine setup page which explains the process step by step: http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/machine_setup/

Customer Response:
How do I get homing on z to work with planet cnc software using build your own usb board. I have gone to planet website and followed the instructions provided but my software will not allow entries in the required fields they are grayed out is it because I am not using planet-cnc's board, I have used this method for years with Mach3 and would like to use it with the usb board and software.

Answer:
Just received information from the developer. The instructions on how to use a plate for z-axis homing (moveable sensor) can be found here:

http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/moveable_sensor/

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How do I get Homing on Z to work with Plate and Ground using Buildyourcnc usb board all the entries for the sensor in planet-cnc are grayed out. I am using input z- and I purchased the software

The instructions on how to use a plate for z-axis homing (moveable sensor) can be found here:

http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/moveable_sensor/

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How do you zero the z axis using a plate with the planet-cnc software and your USB controller?

"Soft limits are used to decelerate machine to stop before machine is stopped hard way at limit switch or before it crashes. I recommend "Soft Limits Decelerate" and "Soft Limits Strict" settings are also checked. Sometimes we need to disable soft limits and there is a command for this in menu "Machine/Soft Limits". When soft limit is triggered position display will be yellow."

Are the soft limits "grayed out"?
Here is a link to a very useful forum post from the Planet-CNC crew:
http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/machine_setup/



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i keep getting scratches when engraving pictures on dog tags

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Using USB Controller Board with Planet-CNC software. The S/W recognizes limit switches but not soft limits. Help?

You can find instructions for the Mach3 USB here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

You will probably need to use the Mach3 USB board with Mach3. We have not tested the Mach3 usb card with Mach4.

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Whereb can I find directions on how to install the Mach3 USB board with Mach 4 software? I do not have a parallell port.

Planet-CNC is the control software. If you decide to use the USB controller, you will need to use the planet-CNC software as the control software. You will be able to use any of the CAM software applications with the planet-CNC control software.

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Would I be able to use the Mach3 CNC Control Software or any of the CNC CAM Software(BOBCAD/CAM,CAMBAM) if I choose to use the Planet-CNC USB Interface Board?

Planet-CNC is the control software. If you decide to use the USB controller, you will need to use the planet-CNC software as the control software. You will be able to use any of the CAM software applications with the planet-CNC control software.

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I want to use Planet-CNC software can I use Mach3 USB Board

When you plug the USB controller into the computer using a USB cable, and the planet-cnc software is running, you will be presented with a dialog box that will contain a text box for the key that you received from the planet-cnc folks.

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Is there any other software that will work with your controller Mach3? Thanks for the help!

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However it how do I get the software to work? PlanetCNC sent me a key that looks like it will only work with a backup control board I purchased from them?

Yes, you can absolutely communicate with the Pokeys57CNC controller. The developer's website has various ways of control, including their poblock software, or directly programming using C#, or C++. I have tested the C# method for a job I did for Lockheed Martin and worked really well.

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[596] Hi there! Thank you for your great works. I was wondering if there is a way to communicate with this board using custom-developed software instead of Mach3 or Mach4.

Our MAch3 USB interface boards can be located here:

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

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I AM INTERESTED IN THE 3 AXIS COMBO USB OPTION. NOTICE YOU ENDORSE PLANET-CNC FOR USE WITH THIS BUT WILL MACH3 INTERFACE WELL BEAK OUT BOARD?

You will need a USB cable to connect the computer and the Mach3 USB. The 64-bit operating system must be Windows and you will need the Mach3 CNC control software installed on the operating system.

You will need to install the USB driver called RNRMotion.dll. You can find the driver here: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Move the file to your Mach3 Plugins folder Example: "C:/Users/ProgramFiles/Mach3/Plugins"

Mach3 will prompt you to select a driver and this is where you can select the "RnRMotionController" and check "Don't ask me again". This will allow your board to communicate with Mach3.

You will also need the xml file found on this page: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

On that page, you will need to download the XML Mach3 Config File by right clicking on the link and selecting "save as". Save the Mach3Mill.xml file in your Mach3 root folder.

That file is the main configuration file for the Mach3 board. It has all of the typical settings that the Mach3 board needs.

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I have a 64 bit operating system and the Mach3 usb control board. What do i need to communicate between the two?

Mach3 is not compatible with the USB breakout board, so you need Planet CNC in its place.

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I am confused by this same issue. I am using the Mach3 USB interface board with Mach3 and it works fine. In fact a video of it is on this very website. (link below)

Is the Mach3 USB interface board the same thing as Planet-CNC USB board?
It has been stated on this FAQ that it cannot be used with Mach3 and can only be used with Planet CNC USB software.

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

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In a Windows configuration, Using the USB breakout board, is the Planet-CNC software used in conjunction with Mach3 or in place of it?

Our MAch3 USB interface boards can be located here:

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

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I am interested in the 3 axis combo USB option. I notice you endorse the Planet-CNC for use with this but will Mach3 interface well with the USB beak out Board?

Here is the new link to the Planet CNC software download page: http://planet-cnc.com/software/

You can try the software as a demo however you will have limited g-code lines you can run. I believe it was around 500, so you can create small items with the demo.
To fully unlock the Planet-CNC software you will need to purchase the license.

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I purchased the USB BOB and the link for the Planet-cnc software is broke. Will I need to purchase a license for the software as well?

A parallel to USB adapter will not work. You will need to use a USB interface like the ones below:

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

Poeys57CNC Interface:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

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To answer the question in more detail, the parallel port is actually an extension straight from the CPU and is also called the GPIO (General Purpose I/O) pins. These pins carry signals independently, hence the description as being a parallel port.

The stepper motor driver receives a pulse train (series of pulses). A single pin on the parallel port sends a pulse train to one stepper motor driver and stepper motor for a single axis. Another pin on the parallel port sends a pulse train to another stepper motor driver on another axis. This happens simultaneously as with the direction signals for each axis.

If a parallel port is adapted through a USB (using an adapter), the parallel port cannot have these signals happen in a simultaneous fashion and will cause the stepper motors of a CNC router or machine to be very clunky, if it works at all. To elaborate, the computer sends an instruction to the USB to send a high signal to pin 1, so it does, then another signal to pin 2, so it does. This is happening one after another. The speed at which this happens is reduced dramatically, and the position of one axis may now be out of sync to another axis.

The reason the USB interfaces (linked above) work is that the USB delivers broad instructions to the interface (to a microcontroller) and the interface parses the instructions and outputs simultaneous signals to the stepper motor drivers.

Hope this helps.

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My computer doesn't have a parallel port connection. Can I use a usb to parallel port cable to communicate with my breakout board?

It seems to be getting some kind of interference or a short within the wiring or communication, try jogging the motors in the software without anything wired to the board. Then add one motor at a time to see if there is a short within your wiring or a faulty driver/motor.
If the USB breakout board continues to move the x-axis with no motors or driver wired to it, please email customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for a replacement or further troubleshooting.

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I AM USING USB BREAKOUT BOARD WITH PLANET-CNC SOFTWARE. WHEN ENABLE JOGGING KEYBOARD X AXIS STARTS TO MOVE BY ITSELF (WHETHER CONNECTED OF NOT). PRESS STOP - IT STOPS FOR A MOMENT AND THEN AGAIN. WHAT COULD THAT BE? TRIED REINSTALL SOFTWARE DID NOT HELP.

"Semi automatic" measuring is possible.
1. Place movable tool sensor (touch plate) on material.
2. Click "Measure Offset Z". Tool will move down, touch sensor and move up.
3. "Measure Offset Z" button is still down.
4. Click "Offset - Current Z" - this will set offset Z
5. Click "Measure Offset Z" again to release it and restore normal mode."

The connections to the USB interface is as follows:
- The spindle is connected to the gnd terminal (which is also connected to the end mill). Alternatively, you can connect the gnd directly to the end mill is access is permitted.
- The touch plate (movable tool sensor) is connected to the Z-- terminal.

What will happen: When the end mill (gnd) is in contact with the touch plate (Z--), there will be a connection from gnd to the Z-- triggering this Z-- action and the software will recognize the connection (like a button press, or a limit switch triggering).

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How do I connect a Z-Axis touch plate to the Planet-CNC USB interface?

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?

It seems to be getting some kind of interference or a short within the wiring or communication, try jogging the motors in the software without anything wired to the board. Then add one motor at a time to see if there is a short within your wiring or a faulty driver/motor.
If the USB breakout board continues to move the x-axis with no motors or driver wired to it, please email customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for a replacement or further troubleshooting.

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I am using USB breakout board with planet-cnc software. When I enable jogging keyboard x axis starts to move by itself (whether keyboard connected of not). When I press stop - it stops for a moment and then starts to move again. What could that be? Tried to reinstall software - did not help.

You will need a 24V relay controlled by one of the output terminals of the Mach3 USB controller. You can see a video that demonstrates the use of the output pins for this controller and how a relay is connected to the output terminal and the power supply. It is the video that is titled "Mach3 USB Controller Outputs"

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

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how do I control coolant mist using the mach3usb break out board