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/

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How do you zero the z axis using a plate with the planet-cnc software and your USB controller?

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Whereb can I find directions on how to install the Mach3 USB board with Mach 4 software? I do not have a parallell port.

I created a video to demonstrate how to use the outputs on the Mach3 USB controller. You can find this video on the following page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Scroll down to the 5th video on that page. The title of the video is: Mach3 USB Controller Outputs

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How do I use the outputs on the Mach3 USB controller?

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

Scroll down until you see the videos. The wiring instructions cover wiring all of the axes, setting up the inputs to sense limit switches, setting up the outputs and how to diagnose the outputs, setting up an external relay to control external devices, and setting up spindle speed.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
where can I find wiring instructions for the Mach3 USB controller?

I would suggest using the NPN proximity sensor for the Mach3 USB or the Pokeys57cnc. The proximity sensors have a top DC voltage limit of 30 volts, so it would be best to use the 24V power supply that is used to power the controller. Both controllers have a 24V power requirement, so that is convenient.

The blue wire of the proximity sensor is the GND wire and is connected to the 24V power supply's V- terminal. The brown wire is the positive wire and is connected to the V+ terminal of the 24V power supply. The black wire is the signal wire and is connected to the input terminal of the controller.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How can I connect an inductive proximity sensor to the Mach3 USB controller?

To implement a electronics combo to run you Proxxon MF70, you will need to find the correct drive components (ACME screw, linear rail, etc) and look into any specific modifications needed to your rig.
I would recommend the USB 3 Axis Large Motors Electronics w/ USB Interface Board.
Since the machine is metal, our larger motors would be highly recommended.

We have not done this conversion, through research is recommended.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi I have a Proxxon MF70, I want to add 3axis stepper with controller and software by USB. Can you suggest a kit for me? Thanks.

The motor that is attached to the 4th axis is wired as follows:

The motor should have red, green yellow and blue wires coming form the motor. The red and green are paired as one coil and the yellow and blue is paired as the other coil. You can wire the motor to a 3.0 amp driver with red to A+, green to A-, Yellow to B+ and Blue to B-

Click the link to add information to this solution:
HOW DO I WIRE THE 4TH AXIS THAT YOU SELL. I HAVE MACH3 SOFTWARE. NO INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR SITE

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

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Does USB Controller Breakout support Linux Ubuntu and does the software support command line interface (to control it with python scripts for example)

"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/



Additional Information:
i keep getting scratches when engraving pictures on dog tags

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Using USB Controller Board with Planet-CNC software. The S/W recognizes limit switches but not soft limits. Help?

Yes, you can add a relay to the Mach3 USB controller. The relay must be a 24V relay on it's input side and be able to be set to active low. I demonstrate this in a video on the following page:
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

The video is titled: Mach3 USB Controller Outputs

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Can I add a relay to the Mach3 USB controller?

The Mach3 100 kHz controller may be able to support the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode, but I have not tried it. There is no information in the documentation that is related to the parameter that can be set in Mach3 for the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode. You may be able to play with the available kHz ranges that the plugin allows to see if there is a pulse width that meets the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode specification.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[575] Does the USB MACH3 controller support Sherline 1/2 pulse mode?

No, the Mach3 USB controller only works with Mach3. If you wish to use Mach4, I would recommend this very feature-rich controller:
Pokeys57CNC controller https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Click the link to add information to this solution:
does the Mach3 USB Controller support Mach4

Yes, you can use a corner plate very easily. You will want to make a corner plate that has three independent plates that do not conduct with each other. Each of these plates will be connected to a different input (i.e. IN1 for X, IN2 for Y and IN3 for Z). The end mill or tool that is inserted into the spindle will connect to V- of the 24V power supply, or the DCM on the controller, which is connected to the 24V V-. Then, you can use the ref all home button on the program run screen of Mach3.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Is there a way to use an X,Y plate that will only be responsible for corner finding in Mach3 with the Mach3 USB controller?

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).

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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?

There are many ways to wire an emergency stop switch. The simplest, and arguably the most certain, way is to wire the switch into the incoming power so that throwing the switch kills all power to every part of the machine. Here is a diagram showing how a customer wired such a switch on their blackTooth laser which you could adapt to your needs. http://www.buildyourtools.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4872

Alternatively, you could use an input pin on your USB board. The wiring would depend on whether and how you might be using limit switches (single or multiple switches; normally open or normally closed). Our website datasheet for the USB board is at https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/ and shows how to configure the switches for each set up. If you use this method, you'd essentially wire the e-stop as a limit switch.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I recently purchased 3 axis electronics with the USB controller board. I'm trying to install an E-stop switch. Where do I connect that on the controller board?

There are many ways to wire an emergency stop switch. The simplest, and arguably the most certain, way is to wire the switch into the incoming power so that throwing the switch kills all power to every part of the machine. Here is a diagram showing how a customer wired such a switch on their blackTooth laser which you could adapt to your needs. http://www.buildyourtools.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4872

Alternatively, you could use an input pin on your USB board. The wiring would depend on whether and how you might be using limit switches (single or multiple switches; normally open or normally closed). Our website datasheet for the USB board is at https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/ and shows how to configure the switches for each set up. If you use this method, you'd essentially wire the e-stop as a limit switch.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I recently purchased 3 axis electronics with the USB controller board. I'm trying to install an E-stop switch. Where do I connect that on the controller board?

A 24V connection to the USB motion card is only needed if you are using limit switches (inputs), powering the spindle/VFD speed and direction, and for the outputs, for powering other devices (mist, coolant, etc.).

If you are using a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive, also called Inverter) for a spindle, they typically have a 24V out terminal that can be used with our USB motion card. If you are not using a spindle/VFD (we highly recommend one), then you will need to purchase a 24v power supply to power that side of the board.

The outputs mentioned above are to connect to external devices and will require a relay (a mechanical switch that is controlled by a digital signal). This mechanical switch can turn on a device like coolant and mist, or even a router, if you are using one. A relay is required to turn on these devices because the devices are typically higher voltage, like mains (110v or 220v). So, a relay can turn on or off a high voltage device with a lower voltage (24v) signal.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How do I connect the outputs on the USB motion card for Mach3?

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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.