The USB port located on the parallel 5 axis breakout board is for powering the board. There is no communications related to this port.

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What is the usb port for on the 5 Axis Breakout Board with Relay ($28.50)?

If your computer does not have a parallel port, all you will need is a low cost PCI parallel adapter card (these can be found on amazon for $15-$20). If you plan on using a laptop (not recommended) you can try to find a PCMCIA parallel adapter, but many people have frequent issues with this setup. A more expensive solution would be to purchase a USB smooth stepper board. Unfortunately, we do not supply any of these adapters and cannot attest to their reliability.

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ur gay

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MY COMPUTER DOES NOT HAVE A PARALLEL PORT. HOW DO I INTERFACE WITH THE BREAKOUT BOARD?

The instructions on how to do this are found here, in these two videos, http://buildyourcnc.com/PrimeronHomingandLimitSwitches.aspx

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HOW DO I CONNECT A TOUCH PLATE TO THE BREAKOUT BOARD?

CP+ to COM
CP- to STEP
CP+ to CW+ (small jumper wire)
CW- to DIR

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If the driver does not have CP or CW labels, the CP is Step and the CW is Direction or DIR. If you connect the 5v to CP+ (or Step+) and CW+ (or DIR+) and the pin to CP- (or Step-) and another pin to CW- (or DIR-), then in software, the configuration for the step on that axis must be active low. Otherwise, if you connect the GND to CP- (or Step-) and CW- (or DIR-) and the pin to CP+ (or Step+) and another pin to CW+ (or DIR+), then in software, the configuration for the step on that axis must be active high.

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If you have a driver that is labeled pul, dir and ena: Pul+ is the Step+ and Pul- is the Step-. Pul is short for pulse. A pulse will create a step. Don't worry about the enable terminals.

On the x-axis, pin #2 can go to pul- and pin #3 can go to dir-. The 5v will go to pul+ and dir+. The configuration for each axis for step will be active low and toggle active low for the dir on each axis to make it go in the direction desired.

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HOW DO I WIRE FROM THE BREAKOUT BOARD TO DRIVER?

Sure, the USB interface has a place for 4 axes of limit switches.

Each axis can have two limit switches: one for the ++ (positive) end and one for the -- (negative) end. The positive end would be the limit switch at the end of the machine that, say the machine has a 4'x8' area, reaches a bit after the 8 foot mark. The negative end would be the limit switch behind the 0 foot location behind the origin. If the origin is in the middle, the negative would be at a little more than the -4 foot end and the positive would be at a bit more than the +4 foot end. Note that you can have more than one switch on each pin where the NC is connected in serial fashion and the NO is connected in parallel fashion (this can be seen on the diagram in the multiple limits switch section). The software configurations for the limits switches are under File -> Settings -> Limit.

A typical limit switch has three connections on it. These connections consist of COM (common), NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). The COM would generally go to GND and the NC or the NO would go to the pin. If the NC is used, then the the switch is constantly connected until the switch is pushed (engaged) then the connection from the pin to gnd is broken (open). Use the settings in software to set whether in NC or NO configuration.

Let me know if this information was helpful (or not) by adding information to this question. Thanks.

User response:
Thank you very much for this helpful information. I'm still a little fuzzy on how the 6 limit switches physically connect to each other and to the USB breakout board. You've stated one switch (home) goes to positive and another switch (limit) goes to negative. Are all the GND prongs from all 6 switches connected to each other and going to GND on the breakout board, or no? And the NC prongs, how exactly are they connected to each other? And to the board? There has to be a diagram somewhere shows this visually, no? I don't know how to wire the switches in series or in parallel. I have already physically installed all the switches on the machine and ran the wires to where the board is. Now I just need to know where to plug these wires into the board. Also, taking into consideration that I'm using the Planet CNC software, the only settings I have pertaining to limit switches is "Enable/Disable" for each axis, and the actual limit for each axis. Nothing about NC or NO. Is that only in Mach3?
Thank you.

buildyourcnc response:
On the USB interface, the COM on the switch connects to GND and the NC or NO connects to the input pin (i.e. x++, y--, etc.)

Limit switch configuration is rather difficult to understand, especially with series and parallel. You can think of series as a single wire going from GND to the axis letter input terminal (i.e. X++ or X--). If the wire is broken, then the circuit is open (or the switch is engaged in a normally closed scenario). Normally closed is like an actual wire, and when engaged, the switch "opens" (breaks the wire). This is why we recommend in some systems that you can put many switches in series on a single pin. When one of the switches is engaged (breaking the connection) then the entire circuit of switches is broken and the machine stops.

In a parallel scenario, the state of the circuit is always broken until the one of the switches is engaged and the circuit is then closed or connected. The topology looks like a ladder. All the switches connect to both sides of the ladder and the switches are like the runs of the ladder (the horizontal bars that the feet are placed while climbing). Imagine all of the switches broken in this scenario (normally open). It would be like the ladder could be split in two, but if one of the ladder runs (switches) is closed by engaging it, then that run would connect both sides of the ladder and the two sides of the ladder would have a connection.

There is a diagram on the USB page of the various limit switch configurations. If you need more information (visual and/or otherwise), please let us know and we will immediately add that information to benefit everyone.

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WILL THE USB BREAKOUT BOARD WORK WITH MACH3?

The breakout board does not require software to run, specifically. The breakout board serves only as a signal conditioner where the input signal from the computer is output at the corresponding terminal, or the terminal receives a signal and is conditioned and sent to the parallel connector to be read by the computer. As long as the software can communicate to the parallel port of the computer, then the breakout board will function.

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Do the 5 Axis Breakout Board with Relay requires software to setup

The parallel is the most versatile breakout board we have and will work with most of the software out there, but many computers are not equipped with parallel connectors anymore. Parallel adapter cards are available if you don't have a parallel connection on your computer.

The USB interface must be used only with the planet-cnc software, which is great software, but you are still limited to only that software application. This is actually the least expensive option unless you use linux and go with the above option.

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WHATISTHE DIFFERENCE WTIH THE PARALLEL BREAKOUT BOARD AND USB BOARD?

That shouldn't be a problem. I will need the current rating for the motors. We can subtract the price of the motors. and you can add you own. If you want us to solder the cable to the round connectors and them motor, you would need to send the motors to us.

Let me know and I can send a paypal invoice for the redLeaf without motors.

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DON'T WANT TO USE MY OWN MOTORS FOR THE REDLEAF CNC COMPUTER SYSTEM.

The parallel (printer cable) port is uses the computer as its main source of pulse trains to operate the motor driver directly. Parallel ports are a direct connection from the processor commonly referred to as GPIO pins (General Purpose I/O pins) and provides a convenient and powerful way to interface with the computer. The parallel breakout board is included in those kits only to condition those signals for use with the drivers.

The USB serves at the actual controller, sending the pulse trains, but the computer sends simple human readable instructions to the USB controller to tell the controller how to send pulses.

The non-technical differences that may serve as the most important information to you is that the parallel configurations allow for a wider variety of industry standard software that can be used to control the cnc machine. The USB that we offer requires the operator to use a software called Planet-CNC software which is a very well made and feature full cnc control software.

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USB Motion controller breakout board work with planet cnc software?

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARALLEL BREAKOUT BOARD AND USB ITERFACE?

All the options for and variations of our blackTooth laser cutter/engraver are available on our website here https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto. The wiring diagram is available here: https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto/0/
We do not offer plans or a bill of materials for our machines at this time, but if you are interested in doing your own from scratch you can learn a lot about the design and build process from our tutorials. We wish you success in your endeavors.

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How can i get a complete list of all the components (electronics) I need for a CNC laser cutter with the laser controller? A wiring Diagram would probably be very helpful.

Probably.

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Are there supposed to sockets on the breakout board I picked up yesterday?

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.

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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.

Here is the kit for the Woodsmith CNC: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-woodsmithCNC-kit

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Do you offer a complete kit for the Woodsmith CNC router plan?

The following videos are helpful when connecting the VFD to a pokeys57CNC controller; however, there is useful information on the external terminals of the VFD and how to connect the VFD to any controller using a relay. Additionally, the videos have useful information on how to program the VFD.

Start and stop for spindle
https://youtu.be/0SLFuM4tzuU

Speed control:
https://youtu.be/pA69t1ZLY2s

The following video uses the Mach3 usb controller to control a spindle.

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Do you have a diagram on how to connect the vfd so the CNC controller box can turn the spindle on and off whenever i start a job?

Here is the wiring diagram for the MAch3 USB breakout board:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Documents/Electric%20Wiring%20Diagram.pdf

You will need 24 volt relays for the output on that board since that side of the board requires 24 volt power at the V+ and V-

Customer Response:
My inquiry is for the Planet CNC USB and 5v relays.
I am 99% finished with my 2 axis lathe build and this is the last item for me to conquer.
I want to control power to router, and vacuum with the BOB going through the 5V relays purchased on this site.
Thanks again.

Using the Mist, spindle or flood pins...

Buildyourcnc response:
There is an IN, GND and 5V for the digital side to engage the relay. There is an S, O and P for the power line of the device to be controlled.

The 5V and GND must be connected to the 5V and GND from the USB board. The IN is the wire from the output terminal (i.e. mist, flood, spindle).

For the power side, here are the scenarios:
- P to O connection is normally open
- P to S connection is normally closed

So, if you have the power wire that would plug into the wall, the L "black" wire from the power cord will pass through this part of the circuit (cutting the wire and one end in the P terminal and the other end in the O or S terminal). Generally, the P to O is used as this connection is normally open and when the relay is engaged, the circuit will close allowing the current to flow through that wire.

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SIGNAL AND 5V POWER WIRING DIAGRAM FOR RELAY USB BR ABOUT BOARD.

The best wiring diagram that can be used for the redLeaf and redSprout CNC computer system would be found on instruction #1 (datasheet for the breakout board) on this page: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

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Hi I live in South Africa and want to know if i can buy a wiring and component diagram for the readleaf plug and play computer system?

The best wiring diagram that can be used for the redLeaf and redSprout CNC computer system would be found on instruction #1 (datasheet for the breakout board) on this page: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

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Hi I live in South Africa and want to know if i can buy a wiring and component diagram for the readleaf plug and play computer system?

You can find a diagram that describes the pin-out for the 2.5 am Driver that is intended for the 3D Printer Main Board, but can be used as a standalone driver as well.

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Where is the diagram located?

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Is there a diagram or schematic showing which pin on the 3D printer driver is ABCD?

Are you trying to determine how to wire the switches or where to place them on the Vertical Laser XL? Let me know and I will provide some pictures or video on how to do this.

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Kind of both. Have somewhat of an idea as to how to wire them but you included rotary and other limit switches. Not sure which ones to put where. Never worked with these before.

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Do you have a more detailed diagram of the rotary and 15A limit switches on the vlxl?