Inquiries about API functionality will need to be addressed to Planet-CNC. BuildYourCNC offers hardware support for the board, but software licensing is handled through Planet-CNC.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
This USB controller: https://buildyourcnc.com/Item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout is based on PlanetCNC controller. It states to use their software. Does this mean PlanetCNC API is fully compatible too? Is any API functionality missing?

You can do raster and vector engraving on the greenBull laser/spindle combination. The methods of this process is not accomplished in the same way as the typical laser machines where CorelDRAW is used. The Mach3 laser plug-in can be used for the raster engraving and standard CNC g-code can be used for vector cutting and engraving.

The raster method will not be fast on the greenBull since the z-axis is heavy and there are inertial limitation on doing fast raster back and forth movement. Vector is the best use of this machine.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am looking at purchasing the greenbull 5X system with the laser/spindle combination. Can the laser do both rastered engraving as well as vectored cutting with the same breakout board and software? If I have this wrong please let me know what would be needed to accompish this.

No, we have gotten away from the planet-cnc boards as they have decided to not support our board with their software. You can use the Mach3 USB board as an alternative. You will be better off with Mach3 as a control software as this is widely used and supported.

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

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have the older discontinued USB breakout board. The y-axis no longer works and have traced it to the breakout board. Is there a replacement board that can use the same Planet CNC software running on Windows 10?

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/

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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

BYCNC Response:
This is correct. You will need to use a method appropriate for the software you are using. Also remember that NC switches are typically wired in series, while NO switches are normally wired in parallel.

User Response:
I am using the cnc planet software for your USB board. Are the limit configurations in this software?

BYCNC Response:
Yes, Planet CNC software is compatible with the use of limit switches. Configuration information will depend on your specific application. You can view Planet CNC's information here: http://www.planet-cnc.com/files/CNCUSBController.pdf

Click the link to add information to this solution:
LIMIT SWITCHES FOR AXIS. THE PRINT SHOWS THAT YOU CAN WIRE LIMITS EITHER N.O. OR N.C. SO IF THIS IS CORRECT I WOULD NEED TO TELL BOARD IN SOFTWARE HOW LOOK AT THESE LIMITS, I'M GOING GET AN INPUT LOOSE DEPEND ON IT.

Sure, connect O2 (output #2) on your mach3 USB board to the GND side of your relay coil. Connect the 24V power supply to the positive side of your 24v relay.

You will want to connect a flyback diode (1N4007) between the coil connections to make sure the coil back current does not damage the Mach3 USB board.

Refer to this diagram:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Documents/Electric%20Wiring%20Diagram.pdf

Please let me know if this helps and if you need further guidance.

Thanks

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I recently purchesed a USB Mach3 breakout board and need help setting mach3 to use a relay to start the router can you show how to set the pins and which port to use on the board to attached the relay?

For safety's sake I would recommend a new board because they are inexpensive compared to the electronics that they support. Alternatively, it's possible that the one dead pin is a simple fix, such as a bad connection or solder joint; if you feel comfortable making those repairs then it could be worthwhile to check. Finally, if you are not using all the input pins, you could continue to operate the limit switch on pin 11 and hope for the best.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have a breakout board and it appears that the pin 12 connection has failed: when i move my limit switches to pin 11 they work; they don't work on pin 12. Do i need a new breakout board?

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).

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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.

The Mach3 USB will not work with Linux CNC. You can use our parallel breakout baord instead (if you have a computer that has a parallel port available).

Here is the link to that interface:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hello. I'm currently building my first CNC router, and I'm powering it with a 3 axis electronics kit that was purchased through your site. I chose to get the Mach 3 USB Breakout board, but now I'm wanting to try to use Linux CNC to work with the computer I have available. Will that work with this board?

For the USB controller and reversing the rotation for a motor, you would need to do this in the software (planet-cnc). In the configuration, you will need to reverse the direction by inverting the direction output.

Technically, the motor changes direction when the direction signal changes from a high to a low, or vice verse. For instance, the motor turns in one direction when the direction signal is, say, low. The motor will turn in the other direction when the direction signal is high. High is 5v and low is 0v or gnd.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have wired the step motors with the USB breakout board. When I jog the y axis it travels in the wrong direction. How do i switch the motors rotation?

BYCNC Response:
This is correct. You will need to use a method appropriate for the software you are using. Also remember that NC switches are typically wired in series, while NO switches are normally wired in parallel.

User Response:
I am using the cnc planet software for your USB board. Are the limit configurations in this software?

BYCNC Response:
Yes, Planet CNC software is compatible with the use of limit switches. Configuration information will depend on your specific application. You can view Planet CNC's information here: http://www.planet-cnc.com/files/CNCUSBController.pdf

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Limit switches for axis. The print shows that you can wire the limits either n.o. or n.c. so if this is correct I would need to tell the board in the software how to look at these limits, I'm either going to get an input or loose an input depend on how i wire it.

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).

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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.

Hi, this BBB comes with a USB port and its cable to power it up. Once connected to the computer a led in the BBB will light up to show it has power.

Additional Information:
Breakout board I have does not have USB port for the 5v power. Does the parallel port supply the 5V power?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi, I need assistance, the parallel breakout board I received looks different from the one on the video, does this one need a 5V supply? If so, where do I connect the positive and where do I connect the ground? Thanks for your help.

Does your plasma cutter have an external trigger that voltage can be applied to make the trigger engage? If I known, please provide the brand and model of your plasma cutter so we can determine this.

Additional Information:
I converted my blackToe to do plasma cutting. Used the Motor control relay on the break out board and just wired it into the plasma cutter trigger. Put a large pan (like a car oil drip pan) with about 1/4 inch of water on the table and attached fixtures. 400 15ga parts later it's still working great.

Additional Information:
That is so cool!!

Additional Information:
I would like to post a story on your setup and conversion. Do you have pictures of the process and/or the new setup?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hello I bought a full setup of parts a couple years ago to make a cnc router and now I have decided that I want to make a cnc router/plasma. I was wondering how to go about hooking up the plasma to the breakout board

Here is how to connect your router to the parallel breakout board through the on-board relay. You will need a spare extension cord. You will need to remove a portion of the outer jacket of the extension cord to expose the white, black and green wires (white = neutral, black = live and green = ground), understanding that the neutral and live create the completed circuit.

See this image of a similar connection. The terminal has the same connections.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/images/vacuum-pressure-controller-relay-terminals-700.JPG

Image of the relay terminal:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/images/breakoutboardrelayNONC.PNG

The live/black wire would be cut and one end of the cut would be secured into the P terminal and the other cut end would be secured into the S terminal. The live and ground wire would be uncut and travel from the plug to the router.


Additional Information:
You can also connect other high powered devices to the breakout board using any of the output terminals. You will need to supply extra relays like the one shown here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-breakout-Relays-relay-board-250V-12A-5V

Or you can find SSRs (Solid State Relays) that will accept 5v to drive the relay coil. Make sure the SSR will protect the 5V line from Back EMF as there is a coil in the relay. The one we sell contains a fly-back diode to protect the 5v terminal.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have your breakout board with relay parallel port , I have a vacuum, light on router and air pump I want to also hook up to board, can I hook those up to board and also could I had reylays to each one, what is the best way to figure this out any information would be great. Thanks

All USB boards, are tested and checked before shipment for all axis, and inputs. Here is a link with clear instructions on how to setup Planet-CNC (http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/machine_setup/).

Please check continuity and for any crossover disruption when wiring your board, try to wire each as cleanly and with out crossing any live power wires and or motor motion wires.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have a usb cnc driver board on your 1'x3' cnc and i cant get the z+ limit switch to stop the machine in the provided software. It registers the button but doesn't inhibit movement. inversly the button works when selected as '-' for negative movement.

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have nearly completed the CNC machine from the book, but I am using it with a USB breakout board, and have no idea how to wire the 6 limit switches to the board. I'm having difficulty following the diagram on the USB breakout board screen. Can someone please help me?