AM NOT SURE HOW TO SET THE Z AXIS TURN ON/OFF LASER WHEN CREATE CODE. KNOW THAT ITS TYPICALLY Z-AXIS MOVEMENT DOES THIS - BUT YOU DONT SHOW ANYTHING HOOKED UP IN PLACE OF AXIS.

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Question #: 550

Question: AM NOT SURE HOW TO SET THE Z AXIS TURN ON/OFF LASER WHEN CREATE CODE. KNOW THAT ITS TYPICALLY Z-AXIS MOVEMENT DOES THIS - BUT YOU DONT SHOW ANYTHING HOOKED UP IN PLACE OF AXIS.

Current Solution

When the z axis is going down, the laser turns on. When the z axis is going up, it turns off. The z axis directions is only a signal that is either 5v or 0v. That determines the direction. In vectric, you will need to set your machining operations with a very very small depth so the time it takes to get to its final depth is a very short time.

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Other Possible Solutions to this Question

I am interested in buying the greenBull 5X Long Z CNC Machine Kit, but it is not clear for me what is included in this kit. Is there anything else I need to get the machine work?
The greenBull 4X comes with all of the components and electronics to assemble the gantry of the machine. You will need to build the table. We provide the rails and roller chain for the X-axis (along the length of the table for full 8 feet of travel). You will need to provide some wire to connect the electronics and a computer to run the machine. You will also need to purchase the software that you will need to run the machine that matches how you will apply the machine. We suggest the mach3 control program. The CAM program is up to you as there are many options out there.
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I am interested in buying the greenBull 5X Long Z CNC Machine Kit, but it is not clear for me what is included in this kit. Is there anything else I need to get the machine work?
How do I secure the non-motor end of the lead screw for my 'Book' machine build? Does it just sit inside the bearing or do i use a nut to lock it in place? I did not see any instructions for this in the book.
Use a clamping collar (if you are using an ACME lead screw) or a couple of 1/2 nuts (if using an allthread) against the bearing to keep the bearing in place and make sure there is no axial play.
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How do I secure the non-motor end of the lead screw for my 'Book' machine build? Does it just sit inside the bearing or do i use a nut to lock it in place? I did not see any instructions for this in the book.
How do you configure usb cnc and the mk1 board to toggle the laser? I use jscut.org to create gcode files and am wondering if I create a setting to disable the laser when it goes a certain distance above 0 on Z+.
I recommend using a an output terminal to turn on and off the laser for safety. All you need to use is the M7 (or 8) to turn the laser on and M9 to turn it off. These M codes are use in conjunction with the output terminals to control external devices. The last Pokeys57CNC tutorial part explains this concept. You can use this idea with your controller.

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board
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How do you configure usb cnc and the mk1 board to toggle the laser? I use jscut.org to create gcode files and am wondering if I create a setting to disable the laser when it goes a certain distance above 0 on Z+.
I need to buy a bottle laser 80w but the page does not i calculates the delivery to San Juan PR via UPS. I need to know immediately in order to be able to make the purchase immediately.
I believe the country of Puerto Rico may need to be US instead. I will change the cart's country field tonight so that it reflects the correct value.

Additional Information:
I see that you used US and may have worked for the US postal department but I also noticed there is an exception for UPS. I will do further research and fix this issue for PR customers! Many thanks for your patience and persistence.

Additional Information:
I just completed some fixes to the cart that corrects the Puerto Rico address for USP and USPS. It appears that USPS and USP require differences in the way the country is designated.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention and please let us know if you are experiencing any further issues.
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I need to buy a bottle laser 80w but the page does not i calculates the delivery to San Juan PR via UPS. I need to know immediately in order to be able to make the purchase immediately.
I currently have my whiteant build complete. But when I go to print the 20mm x 20mm box I seem to be having issues. The Z axis does not seem to move. Also the X axis hits the limit and does not move of of it. What is the best way to trouble shoot this issue?
When you press the x-axis limit switch, does the LED emit light?
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I currently have my whiteant build complete. But when I go to print the 20mm x 20mm box I seem to be having issues. The Z axis does not seem to move. Also the X axis hits the limit and does not move of of it. What is the best way to trouble shoot this issue?
[54] I have two of these motors, both purchased recently as part of the heavy gantry 3-axis combo. They are warm to the touch when not doing anything. Is this normal? They work when jogged w/mach4
It is normal for stepper motors to get hot to the touch while not moving. There is a setting on the driver that you can set to half current. This is an idle current while the motor is just in a holding position.
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[54] I have two of these motors, both purchased recently as part of the heavy gantry 3-axis combo. They are warm to the touch when not doing anything. Is this normal? They work when jogged w/mach4
When the machine hits the limits it stops but the switch is still tripped so clicking the Mach3 RESET button doesn't do anything. How am I supposed to get the machine to move off of the limit switch so I can continue working?
If you select the Settings Page and select or tick Auto Limit Override - this will allow you to back off the switch.

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limit and home switch
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When the machine hits the limits it stops but the switch is still tripped so clicking the Mach3 RESET button doesn't do anything. How am I supposed to get the machine to move off of the limit switch so I can continue working?
I bought a, 3-Axis NEMA23 CNC Kit (36V/9.7A/382oz-in/KL-4030.but dont know how to set the dip switches on my drivers. The place I bout the kit from isent very good and support.
That driver (not purchased here) is a standard 3.0 amp driver that will have the dip switch settings on the top of the driver. You will need to determine the amp rating of you motor for the scheme that you wire your motor to the driver (bipolar parallel is recommended in most circumstances but can depend on your power supply output). Check the stepping motor datasheet for your motor to determine this amp rating.

The other set of switches will be configure the microstepping. This will depend on your mechanical setup (i.e. lead screw, rack and pinion, roller chain, timing belt, etc.) and the specifications of such mechanical parts.

This general formula (which can be searched using the Customer Service Live with many examples): step/inch = (natural motor steps * desired microsteps) / (mechanical travel for one motor rotation)

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I bought a, 3-Axis NEMA23 CNC Kit (36V/9.7A/382oz-in/KL-4030.but dont know how to set the dip switches on my drivers. The place I bout the kit from isent very good and support.
My Z-axis seems to be reversed on a fully assembled machine... I've tried reversing it in the config settings on Mach 3, but to no avail. What do I need to do? IS this a wiring issue that was not done correctly at the factory?
If your Z axis is moving in the opposite direction, go into Mach3, click on config, ports & pins, then click on the motor outputs tab. You will see the axes labeled on the left and the parameters labeled on the top of this dialog box. Toggle the dir low active for the z-axis.

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What if I'm having the same issue on a different axis?

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You can follow the same procedure as with the z-axis. When you get to the motors outputs tab, toggle the dir low active checkbox for the axis that you would like to change.

If you are using another control program, let me know and I will add the recommended action here.

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Girbl

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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I have a grbl laser machine tronhoo machine that is running back wards and side ways wrong help

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My Z-axis seems to be reversed on a fully assembled machine... I've tried reversing it in the config settings on Mach 3, but to no avail. What do I need to do? IS this a wiring issue that was not done correctly at the factory?
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.
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
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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.
Would common practice be to have the DRO show positive moment or negative movement when moving the Z axis down?
Safety should be the first consideration when configuring the Z-axis and how it shows on the DRO (Digital Readout). That is to say, the configuration should make sense to the operator of the machine.

We zero the tip of the end mill at the surface of the stock we are using. When the z-axis moves into the material (the direction that the z-axis travels when the page down key is pressed) the DRO goes into the negative region.
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Would common practice be to have the DRO show positive moment or negative movement when moving the Z axis down?
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.
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.
BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT COOLING THE LASER OFF - IS YOUR SETUP LIKE MOST OTHERS NEED BUCKET OF DISTILLED WATER TO PUMP THROUGH MACHINE?
Cooling is not as tricky as you might think. There is 3 ways to approach this, only 2 really matter for a low scale 40w setup. First one is the cheapest and easiest. The higher the temp of water the worse your performance will be, from what I understand anything in the 30C range is about the most tolerable it gets. Lower is better. But not frozen...from what I've been told a very experienced cutter, he found 8C was the highest power he achieved.

1. Use a 5 Gallon resovoir system which gives you a fairly large space of water to heat up before you need to tend to it. Add about a cup of anti-freeze to the mix of DISTILLED water. You don't want ANY minerals in the water that might build up in your system. The anti-freeze works to keep algae and other ickies from growing in your water.

2. Use a smaller resovoir system (or even closed loop) and install 1 or more radiators found in CPU cooling systems with 120mm fans attached. This will continously cool your water system to ambient room temperatures, but with a tiny resovoir it will be difficult to add things like ice-packs to drop the temps if the ambient is quite hot.

3. Using an industrial coolant system. Overkill and unless your cutting A LOT, this is a very expensive option to take. You can also explore the idea of Peltier cooling but it is extremely expensive electricity/BTU wise compared to an industrial cooler.
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BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT COOLING THE LASER OFF - IS YOUR SETUP LIKE MOST OTHERS NEED BUCKET OF DISTILLED WATER TO PUMP THROUGH MACHINE?
bluechic v4.2 - mach3 setup video does not play on the metacafe site... since I'm new to this I am lost on how to configure mach3 to the usb breakout board. Please advise, thanks!
To setup mach3 for the parallel breakout board, view the last three videos on this page:
https://buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx#prettyPhoto

The parallel breakout board contains a usb connector, but is only used for power. The USB interface board (sold here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout) does not use Mach3, rather it uses the planet-cnc software.
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bluechic v4.2 - mach3 setup video does not play on the metacafe site... since I'm new to this I am lost on how to configure mach3 to the usb breakout board. Please advise, thanks!
[54] I purchased a kit a few years ago with a 36v 8.8A driver and a nema 23 425oz-in motors. I’ve hooked the motors as suggested but they are not holding anything like 425 torque. Please advise.
Make sure to connect the motor using the bipolar parallel schema as per the datasheet.

Additional Information:
I also purchased these same motors(3a drive, not the 8.8) nearly a decade ago, they are now being installed on their third life as a CNC wood lathe with C axis spindle control. I never had any perceivable problems wiring them to the diagram, but in recent R+D I discovered a strange thing. I use LinuxCNC, and while going through setup and trying to tweak in the settings for the motors/drives, I found a motor wire identification guide for steppers on the LinuxCNC wiki that gives a different result for which wires go to which terminals on the drives. I have not tested both wiring schemes since I am in the middle of the build and have not yet reached that point. This could be one factor, if the wiring diagram is not actually correct. I always used bipolar parallel. As stated above, I never detected any problems in thousands of hours of run time over two separate machine configs. The other thing I learned recently is that microstepping actually reduces STEP torque by significant amounts, though I can't find any info about its effect on HOLDING torque, if any. 1/16 microstep reduces STEP torque to ~10% of motor rated torque, which can have a significant effect on heavy cuts/fast feedrate moves. I have definitely overdriven my axes by not programming conservatively enough, I do a lot of aluminum routing and hoggy work on hardwoods. There are many other factors in machine builds(resonance, mechanics, etc) that can eat away at the motors ACTUAL real life torque capability vs. its nominal rating. Lot of good info on stepper principles on the LinuxCNC website. My current build has actual ballscrews rather than leadscrews, It will be interesting to see what the performance differences are compared to my other builds. Keep the chips flying!
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[54] I purchased a kit a few years ago with a 36v 8.8A driver and a nema 23 425oz-in motors. I’ve hooked the motors as suggested but they are not holding anything like 425 torque. Please advise.
I have a home built CNC running Mach 3. I have power to all the motors and the breakout board but no movement when running g-code. I cannot even manually move the motors with the arrow keys or page up and down. It also has an integrated 120v receptacle showing an open ground. I don't know if all this is related.
The fact that you cannot move the motors with the keyboard serves as a clue to a couple possibilities.

- The software may not be communicating with parallel port. (One possibility may be that your step pins are not low active, or vice versa depending on your drivers).
- You may not be in the correct tab of Mach3. Make sure you are in the Program Run tab.
- The jog on/off button on the program run screen may not be lit (invoked).

This address below shows the complete troubleshooting for this type of situation. It will show how to test each pin at the parallel port at the back of the computer and everything else associated with correctly wiring the electronics.

https://buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx

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6 axis robot with Mach3 Card 6 Axis Motion Controller
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I have a home built CNC running Mach 3. I have power to all the motors and the breakout board but no movement when running g-code. I cannot even manually move the motors with the arrow keys or page up and down. It also has an integrated 120v receptacle showing an open ground. I don't know if all this is related.
I am interested in the GreenBull 4x8 CNC machine kit you have; I also wish to get the laser attachment but I was wondering if its possible to have the laser larger than a 40w, say in the 80-150w range?
Currently our greenBull can only accommodate a 40W laser tube due to the size and current mounts on the spindle/laser hybrid assembly!

However please contact 281-815-7701 for further assistance with the greenBull machine.
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I am interested in the GreenBull 4x8 CNC machine kit you have; I also wish to get the laser attachment but I was wondering if its possible to have the laser larger than a 40w, say in the 80-150w range?
Need help configuring Planet CNC software to control laser firing. Currently it is firing using the Z axis but leaves the laser on after a run or when the emergency stop is activated. HELP!!
To stop the laser completely from continuous firing after a job is complete, I recommend to have your file to end while reaching the clearance plane which you will enter in your CAM software. Make sure that your clearance plane value is very small (ex.) 0.001 above 0 and activates at -0.001 also adding a additional g-code manually that raises the z-axis towards the end of the job/run(only if experienced would we recommend using this). This will turn of the laser, rather than the laser staying on and at its current height.

When activating the emergency e-stop, (personal opinion) I would wire the e-stop at the beginning of the live/load wire going to the electronics power supply and the laser power supply.
It will be in at the beginning of the y connection, (https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto/13/) so you will cut power to both instead of just the CNC electronics.
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Need help configuring Planet CNC software to control laser firing. Currently it is firing using the Z axis but leaves the laser on after a run or when the emergency stop is activated. HELP!!
The relay doesn't have a A+ B - it has signal in god. 5v. / 0 S P. This has to go to my USB motion card wiring shows v+ goes to top of coil no number and comes out the bottom to #2 the relay I got from you is not that simple
The relay is only used for devices like routers, spindles, coolant, mist, etc. The relay works like an automatic switch and will allow current to pass when the relay is engaged.
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The relay doesn't have a A+ B - it has signal in god. 5v. / 0 S P. This has to go to my USB motion card wiring shows v+ goes to top of coil no number and comes out the bottom to #2 the relay I got from you is not that simple