First, see Jack's build: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/JackRehak.aspx

The difference between mounting the electronics in the gantry is that the connection from the computer (signal level) is long. The alternative, where the electronics is near the computer, the motor cables are long (to reach from the drivers to the motors).

Mounting the breakout board, drivers and power supply within the gantry will cause you to have a long signal connection from the computer to the breakout board. That is fine as long as the cable is long enough, possibly shielded, and can carry the signal at long cable lengths. Make sure to have the cable well away from the motor cables as these will cause quite a bit of interference.

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Provided they will fit and I install a ventilation/cooling fan, is there any reason why I should NOT mount the electronics (breakout board, stepper drivers and power supply) inside the gantry box in my BlackToe 2x4?

Is this CNC related. If so, what controller are you using?

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I'm using the Mach 3/USB CNC interface board, with the Mach 3 software.

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Does the LED on the controller light up, or blink?

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I believe I've corrected the issue. I found that their are 2 spring like tabs on the female USB port. And take a sharp point like on a compass and gentle raise those tabs a bit. This tighten up the connection, and I never received an error from losing connection.

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It appears I have a connection issue with the USB port on my computer with the USB cord. I purchased a new cord but has the same issue. Is there anything I can do to correct this issue?

Can you send me a link to the digitizer you are using?

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Hi my names is Minh Truong I would like to said thank you very much for your video I got the system mach3 working fine but one thing I can NOT set and config the digitizer on the board IN4 I am not sure how to setup because in the Mach3 pin 14 for digitizer Please shoe me hoe to set it up for the digitizer.

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.

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What would be your recommendation for "power supply 2 (24vdc)" connecting to USB motion card? Are there any videos explaining it's connection to the relay coil? (not quite sure what relay coil is)

Does the machine move smoothly when using the keyboard to jog the machine?

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Sorry it took so long to respond. Yes the table moves very smoothly using the keyboard. I try to reinstall of the drivers but it still moves very jerky with the MPG, sometimes moving back-and-forth.


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Sorry it took so long to respond. Yes the table moves very smoothly using the keyboard. I try to reinstall of the drivers but it still moves very jerky with the MPG, sometimes moving back-and-forth.

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Hi I recently replaced my parallel port breakout bored with a USB breakout board, Motors Earl working properly but my wireless MPG is not working properly, it is jerky when to try to move across the table, is there a setting that I missed?

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 electronics can be tricky sometimes, especially if more than one change is made for a test. You can move the x-dir wire to another pin and set it in the software configuration. If it works, then only that pin is bad.

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ON THE BOB...EVERYTHING TESTS OK BOB EXCEPT X-DIRECTION OUT. IT'S VOLTAGE IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN Y AND Z (5.00 INSTEAD OF 5.03. TESTED X DIRECTION ALL THREE DRIVERS. IN EACH CASE THERE GOING INTO DRIVER BUT NOT OUT IT.

This is correct if it is the Mach3 USB controller. You will also get a rapid flashing led if you jog the machine (assuming the machine is not in reset mode or e-stop mode).

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Is it suppose to be blue or red? Mine is red.

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The instructions for installing the USB board say there should be a blue LED light up when computer is connected. I get a flashing red LED that goes solid when I start

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 am making my own CNC setup using all the electronics from your website and I have many questions. Please advise how to have my computer recognize the USB connection from my breakout board also I would like to use a water cooled spindle but I need to know the parts required for a 4x10 bed area used for woods and plastics

The step and direction terminals on the Mach3 USB controller are the terminals labeled XP, XD, YP, YD, ZP, ZD, AP and AD. The P is the pulse or step terminal and the D is the direction terminal.

The configuration for the motor outputs are already configured in the Mach3 configuration file that is available on that product page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

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On Mach3 USB the port number is 3 but i dont see the motor output pin numbers for the stepper side? could you please provide this for me? maybe a sketch of all the pin numbers the way Mach 3 sees them?

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.

If some axes are not moving in two directions, the direction signal is not making good contact at either the controller or the driver.

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I have USB Interface board. All axes are working if using MDI , using program some of the axes are only moving one direction. Example using Gcode X50 Y50 Z50 and then X45 Y45 Z45 then online one of the axes is turning correctly. But also shows on Mach3 screen that all axes are moving correctly.

The port used with the Mach3 USB controller is Port 3. The pin associated with the input you are using matches the input terminal you are using. For instance, if you are using IN2, the pin number is 2.

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What is the correct pin and port setting for auto tool zero on the Mach3 USB interface board. the auto tool macro works but does not stop lowering the bit when it touches the touch plate. It does not blink the digitizer button in the diagnostic menu when the circuit is completed.

The firmware update for the USB board is done by PlanetCNC. with your board hooked up to the computer via USB cable, log into PlanetCNC. Then, from the Machine tab on the toolbar choose firmware from the drop down and click on update.

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Is there a firmware update in the last two years for your USB board? If so how do we get it and install? If not do you expect any updates? If updates are released how do we find out?

For our parallel breakout board (https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay#prettyPhoto/2/) the schematic will show the connections going from the BB to the drivers. The parallel breakout board uses the 25 pin parallel connection to communicate from the computer to drivers, and the USB is used to power the main-board itself, supplying 5V.

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The electronics package I just bought from you (Book Build) is different from your wireing diagrams and video tutorials. Is there an updated wiring diagram available? Is the USB port on the breakout board connected directly to the computer USB to supply 5 volts? Thank you.

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.

I also place the controller very close to the drivers (on the back of the gantry). All of the cables are shielded. The only long cables are the mains power cables and the USB cable. The USB cable is shielded and contains active repeaters.

There is no problem putting all of the electronics in a box and using long cables to the motors. This is the way I did it for a very long time.

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Great site. I saw your videos of wiring the Mach3 USB controller. You place the drivers next to the Steppers. This means that you have very long leads to the USB Board? What about the placement of the controlling PC? Is it a problem to have the USB board, PSUs and Drivers in a control box and long leads to the steppers? 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

We are currently getting it completed for us to post it under the 2.5A stepper driver page. However here is the correct wiring procedure.

First: Wire the 24V power supply to the 2.5A driver, by wiring +V on the power supply to 12-24V on the driver. Next wire the COM on the power supply to Ground(GND) on the 2.5A driver. GND on the driver will also go to the GND on the USB board, for specific axis. (additional 3-4 wires connected to ground will be needed for the other axes as well).

Second: Wire the USB board to the driver(one driver per axis on the USB board):
CP on the driver will go to CP on the desired axis on the USB board.
CW on the driver will go to CW on the desired axis on the USB board.
5V will go to the VCC pin on the keyboard jog pins on the USB board (check schematic here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/).
GND on the USB board to GND on the driver. (as specified in step 1).
EN is not used.

Personal Note:
I would recommend that you crimp the VCC pin to a wire which could be split for the other axes as well, each driver will need 5V.

Third: Wire the stepper motor to the driver, (using either the Nema 23 100-oz or the Nema 17 62-oz stepper motors, the wiring will be the same. For the Nema 23 the yellow and white is not connected.)
Black to A1
Green to A2
Red to B1
Blue to B2

Fourth: Repeat steps 1-3 for each driver/motor per axis.

Mention: Remember that GND on the driver will also go to the GND on the USB board for specific axis, and VCC pin on the USB board (keyboard jog) will go to 5V on all drivers for each axes as well, each driver will need 5V!

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Is there a complete wiring diagram for the Medium Combo Kit with the usb board? Your USB tutorial does not cover the modular 2.5a drivers. https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-100-elcombo