The PlanetCNC USB software, like most machine control software, can be used to control a laser engraver/cutter. The typical modification is to use the Z axis down signal to fire the laser, analogous to an endmill cutting into the workpiece from an initial position above it.

For the second question, it is important to note that BYCNC machines are not based on PlanetCNC software, or any other particular machine control system. The machines themselves will accept standard signals from a wide variety of machine control systems, not just PlanetCNC or Mach3. This allows maximum flexibility for the customer to choose their own preferred software for this part of the toolchain.

That said, our machines will accept a laser head either in lieu of or in addition to a spindle. Here is an example of a combination spindle/laser mount for our greenBull machine: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-laser-spindle-combo-head. We have all the parts you would need to add laser functionality to your machine here: https://buildyourcnc.com/LaserComponents.aspx, if you feel comfortable assembling your own package. Also, feel free to contact our sales department for a quote if you need a custom assembly.

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Can the Planet CNC USB controller be used with a laser engraver/cutter? Can the build your own CNC based on the Planet CNC USB controller accept a Laser head instead of a router?

Polabs prepared step by step user guide for PoKeys57CNC and Mach4 to try answering such questions. It is available in our downloads section: https://www.poscope.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Pokeys/LibrariesAndPlugins/Mach4 and PoKeys57CNC - step by step guide.pdf

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What is the 24VDC Power requirement for the Pokeys47CNC? 1A, 2A? ...I'm running a separate 36VDC PS to the Stepper drivers and a 24VDC PS to the Controller.

The size of the stepper motor is measured in holding torque, generally oz/in. You will determine the torque loads of your axes when selecting steppers. Once you know which stepper you need, the drivers and controller board are simple to pair with them.

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I'm trying to build my CNC router 3m*1.3m, but i'm not sure what is the type of stepper motor i should pay, all my CNC body is Al. I need to bay 4 Stepper motors, 4 drivers, spindle, inverter, and i don't know what is the type of controller ?

The DSP controller uses its own pulses per unit (in your case, it's pulses per mm). That number is he same as steps per mm (or steps per inch if you are using that unit). Make sure that the pulses per mm is configured correctly for the machine mechanical components and the mircistep setting on the driver for each axis.

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You will need to make sure the DSP's parameters match the specifications for motor tuning.

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I used DSP controller for my CNC machine. How can I determine why my CNC machine produce different output as per my requirement. example, i make a design size 10mm x30mm in my design software, now, why is it that my cnc output is15mm x 65 mm?

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.

the greenBull can handle cutting aluminum as long as the correct bit (end mill) is used and the bit is cooled frequently to prevent chips from melting and causing damage to the bit or warping the material.

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Would your greenBull 6X CNC machine be suitable for cutting 2024T3 aircraft aluminium? Working on a kitlpane project and I need this capability.

The actual cutting dimensions for our blackToe machine is 2'(24") x 4'(48"), the overall size of the structure built is a bit larger so that our customers have the actual size mentioned with each of our machines!

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blackToe 2'x4' CNC Router - What are the actual x and y cutting dimensions (eg: 22"x46")

The pinout of the USB interface's keyboard job interface can be found here at the usb interface page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/

Scroll down to the instructions below the description and it's the first instruction step. Click on the picture. Just copy and paste that link into the address bar and the diagram should appear.

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What is the pinout of the 12-pin keyboard jog header on the V2.1 CNC USB controller?

No, the 3.1 version will not support slaving the X axis. You will either need to wire the two x axis driver to the same X signal pins, or use the DDCS v4.1 which does support slaving an axis.

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[823] I plan to use a DDCS stand alone controller for a CNC router build which will have two stepper motors on the x axis, one on Y and one on Z. Will the 3.1 version handle two motors synched on the X axis or will I need the 4.1 version?

Here is the information we have for the Planet CNC USB controller:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout-Planet-CNC

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Please advise correct wiring from PLANETCNC USB controller Mk3/4 to motor driver.

As long as the Ethernet cable is not next to stepper motor cables (between the stepper motor and the stepper motor driver) you should be fine. If you are using a spindle, make sure to shield the cable between the spindle and the VFD as well.

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One of my customers is testing this scenario. He is using CAT7 Ethernet cable which is double shielded. I/He will post the results when tested.

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I would like to mount the CNC controller to the gantry and use the ethernet cable routed through the cable carrier, is ther ok?

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?

Unfortunately, we don't sell the planet-cnc controller anymore. They made a change to their software that prohibits us from creating the open source board.

We do sell three other boards that may work for you.

The Pokeys57CNC board is the mose feature rich and will work with both Mach3 and Mach4:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

The MAch3 USB board is a good inexpensive interface that will work well if you need the interface to be USB only:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Our in-house parallel breakout board (ytou need a parallel port for this interface to work):
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay
Most motherboards have the parallel port connector on the motherboard, but not as a connector on the back of the computer case.

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Do you sell the 3 axis electronics combo , for heavy gantry , with the new Planet CNC usb controller ?

You are making the right choice. The overall cost benefit of a spindle over a router is worth the change. We used a router back in 2008-2012 and constantly replaced it due to the daily use, but we are still using the same spindle we began using back in 2012.

We sell a mount that you can find here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/spindle-inverter-2!2kw-spindle-80mm-mount

The mount fits standard 80mm spindles.

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Have a CNC routher that uses the Porter Cable 78125 considering 2.2kw spindle and controller do you have any mounts and our recommenadtions?

First, make sure that the alignment of the roller chain is straight with respect to where the roller chains are affixed at the ends of the gantry. This is of chief importance as there will be a clicking sound if there is no alignment. Also, make sure the idler sprocket can move from side to side to auto-correct on alignment, unless you can fit nuts or shim washers on either side to maintain the perfect position with respect to the alignment of the chain.

The misalignment of the chain is most likely the reason the idler sprocket is slanted at an angle.

If you are having repeatibility issues, make sure the drive sprocket is very tight on the motor shaft, and that the set screw is tightened on the flat of the stepper motor shaft. This is the typical culprit if any of the axes are having repeatability problems. It is difficult to determine if the drive sprocket is loose. Make sure to push with a bit of force to determine this.

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ok, took the y axis apart. Checked the drive sprocket. it seems tight. Although I did not take it off and put it back on. Checked the chain alignment edge to edge using a straight edge along the y drive rail and no clicking. tightened the chain and seemed to have it now off the same distance to the other side of the Y. I lossened it back up but no noticeable change.
using Mach3 spindle not running, just a pointer bit in and feed rate 50ipm
9k line gcode it's off by about .1 to .14 (ran code 4 different times, once in opposite corner of table) 130k gcode it's off 1.3 to 1.5 (ran code 4 different times, once in opposite corner of table). Not sure what to do, using the using the mach3 motor tuning it seems really close, and it's always the Y. should I swap wiring on the x & y drivers to see if problem goes to X?


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You can give the swap a try. It would rule out a possible wiring/driver/motor issue. If that doesn't work, we will need to go email so we can see pics to get a clearer understanding of the issue.

Additional Information:
So, I couldn't swap X and Y as X has a big honkin' motor. So I swapped the Driver for Y and Z, ran the same 130k line gcode and Y was spot on, but now Z is off. it was only off by .01 but there wasn't as much Z movement as there was Y of course. To me this would point to the driver. What do you think?

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Having some repeatability issues on Y axis of the blackFoot CNC Router. doing motor tuning, but also notice the Y axis idler pulley doesn't stand up straight. Bearing seems good, just loose on the bolt. Do i try to shim between bearing to bolt or shim the sides to make it stay up straight?

At this time we are working to release a new USB controller board that will be compatible with Mach4 software and do not have any immediate plans to update the Planet-CNC USB board.

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Are there plans to release a USB Controller to work with the Planet CNC Output Board for more advanced spindle control from within Planet CNC?

Yes, the PoKeys57CNC generates simultaneous multi motor motion. This is a minimum requirement in CNC machine where, say, a circle is needed to be cut, both x and y axes need to move at the same time to create this circle.

With robotic control, this is not a problem as you will be able to send the required instructions for the individual motors and the controller board will simultaneously move the motors to their commanded positions.

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Does the PoKeys57CNC board enable simultaneous coordinated motion, as in controlling a 6 axis robot arm with large servo motors?

Same issue here -- TTL output from the AWC708C never seems to be pulled low. Still troubleshooting.

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MY LASER MACHINE VERTICAL DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE LASER TUBE, VERIFY THE POWER SUPPLIES AND THEY ARE WORKING WHICH THE PROBLEM CAN BE

We don't have a laser kit to retrofit another CNC router other than ours, but we can create one. Some things that may help:

- You are located close to use so we can work closely with you to implement to retrofit,
- or you can provide very detailed drawings or measurements so we can use them to create the necessary parts for the kit.

Other things that you need to understand:

- A laser has a number of parts that will bulk up the head of the CNC router causing a bit more inertia which may require lowering the acceleration for smooth ramping up and down of the velocity

- The bulk of the parts required for the laser may restrict the travel of the x and/or y axes.

- The nozzle of the laser will be offset from the end mill of the spindle.

Can you tell me the brand of the CNC router that you would like to stick a laser on? (you can answer by submitting additional information.

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Do you have a laser kit that can be fitted onto another brand CNC router?