In all CNC electronics configurations, you will need the motor paired with its own driver.

If two motors/drivers are intended for a single axis and the motors need to turn at the same rate and in the same direction, then the two drivers for these motors should be connected to the same signal wires from the breakout board (step (CP) and direction (CW)) signal wires.

If the motors need to turn in opposite directions, then either one driver will need to have the direction signal inverted, or resolve the opposite direction through a change in the mechanical drive train (i.e. flip the rack on a rack and pinion configuration, or in a roller chain setup, have the chain ride along the opposite side of the drive sprocket).

How do I go about purchasing a redleaf system with 4 drivers, where the (y) and (a) driver are connected to the same signal from the breakout board? I'd also need them to rotate in opposite directions.

The redLeaf webpage contains a purchase option for an extra motor and driver. We can setup the redLeaf system uniquely so it conforms to your application (i.e. motors running in opposite directions).

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I've built a machine where the y axis has (2) 425oz motors, x axis has (1) 425oz. motor, and the z axis also has (1) 425oz motor. Would it be better to purchase a redleaf system with 4 drivers? or can I just connect both y axis motors to the same driver for a total of 3 drivers?

The USB interface only works with momentary switches unfortunately. If you have extensive knowledge of digital electronics, you can apply a receiver that uses a microcontroller and a transmitter with another microcontroller that produces the pulsing signal with the controls that you need.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I would like to make a handheld remote for the USB CNC Board using a joystick instead of momentary switches. Could you suggest one that will work with your board.

If you are referring to aligning the rails so that the rails are perfectly parallel:

It is important to make sure one rail (a rail at one side of the table) is perfectly aligned first. Do this by fastening one end of the rail to the table (flush with the table edge), then fasten the other end (flush with the table edge). The rail may not be perfectly straight at this point, but that's ok. This process includes the top and bottom rail, fastening and positioning simultaneously.

You are going to fasten the midpoint of the rail. Get a clamp ready so that you can freeze the rail in place. Look down the rail from one end. This is a good way to determine if the rail has a curve, or is straight. If there is a curve, move the rail midpoint laterally until the rail is straight while looking down the rail from one end of the rail. This may take a couple of people to do, one looks down the rail, the other moves it slightly until it is straight and then clamps the rail. Drill and fasten the midpoint when satisfied. Repeat this process, fastening at the midpoint between screws.

Now place the gantry on the table with the v-groove bearings resting on the one rail side. Add the next rail to the other side of the table. Position the rail so that it is directly under the other bearings. Make sure the gantry is at the extreme end and fasten the rail at that end. Move the gantry along the and fasten the rail as you move the gantry so the rail auto-positions itself.

Additional Information:
Thanks for your answer. So the next step is making certain that the gantry is exactly perpendicular to the x axis. Do you just place a square on the rail and adjust one or both chains as needed?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Is there a specific process for aligning the x axis on the greenbull? There is mention of it at the end either the rail or gantry installation but I could not find it anywhere.

This would totally work for that application. This cable carrier is used for any object that needs to move and carries some electrical or tubing within it. This cable carrier is great for cable management where you want to make sure the wires and tubes are in a position that you set, not where the wires and tubing want to go.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[311] I am looking to use this type of thing with a pipe for theater. Where the pipe can be lowered and it would have electrical and signal cable inside. Is this good for that or should I look at something else?

There are many possible options for making a lathe. Typically, a lathe is run by a spindle at the head stock (which you can find here https://buildyourcnc.com/SpindlesAndAccessories.aspx) which will rotate the object rather than a fourth axis, however you will need to create or buy the clamp mechanism of a regular lathe to hold the object in place. You will be able to control the on/off either manually or via software, but the speed (RPM) will have to be controlled manually.
You can create a more indexed alternative to a lathe by using our rotary axis at the head stock (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/axes-4th). either way, the tail stock center can be found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/axes-4th. This will give you full control of the turning via software.

You will want to use linear rails and their associated bearing blocks (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-rails-HIWIN-Linear-20mm and herehttps://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-rails-linear-guide-rails-20mm) to run along the length of the item being turned and you will need linear rails to be run perpendicular (towards and away) to the object being turned that would hold either the blade (for a traditional lathe) or a spindle (for the indexed version containing the rotary axis).

Where you have linear rail, you will also need lead screw (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-leadscrews-lead-screw-!5-5-starts-10-tpi) to transmit motion using motors (and drivers) of your choice also with various options (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/category/nema and here https://buildyourcnc.com/category/driver). You will need 2 - Drivers (either 3.0A or 6.0A, the 6.0A driver will be for our larger motors hence you will have more torque available) and 2 - Motor's (either our Nema 24's or Nema 34's, the Nema 24 will work with our 3.0A driver while the Nema 34 will work the 6.0A)
To control these motors, you will need a parallel breakout board and Mach 3 software to control the two axes (or three with the rotary axis) found here https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay and https://buildyourcnc.com/item/control-SOFTWARE-mach3.

You will need couplings to couple the lead screws to the motor shafts (found here https://buildyourcnc.com/couplings.aspx). All of the miscellaneous hardware you need can also be found here https://buildyourcnc.com/Hardware.aspx.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
CNC Wood Lathe project - Would like to have the guts to a 2 axis DIY lathe. Can you let me know of a possible one stop shop solution? Would like it to be at least 40" on the X axis.

What is the weight of the gantry, number of teeth on the drive sprocket and tooth pitch?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I build a 3 axis router CNC the gantry is heavy in aluminium plate, witch plug n'play kit you suggest me 1 or two motor on the longest axis this will be drive with chain?

Please send an email to sales@buildyourcnc.com outlining your requirements and we will be happy to discuss the various ways to meet them.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have an Advantage Router 600 table, the control system seems to have gone out or died, would like options on upgrading the control system to be able to use the router again.

Please contact sales@buildyourcnc.com for a custom quote.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I want to build a 4 x 4 plasma table. I am not good with the electronic parts of the system. What would you recommend as a turn key electronics package? I also want to build it with chain drive

Our 1.5/2.2kW spindle will work with both setups, in our wiring diagram it is more seen as the Euro/AUS-style, however you can do the same thing with the North American style as well. Also depending on if you have single or three phase 220V, you can use pins R, S, T. A manual will arrive in the VFD box, which will have further information and diagrams.

Please seek a certified electrician if you are unsure of any aspect in wiring the spindle or VFD, since wiring to main lines will require wiring of the plug and main lines to the inverter and to avoid any damage or injury's while installing the 1.5/2.2kW spindle and VFD combo.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
On the wiring diagrams for the 220v inverters I noticed that there is one hot (220) a neutral and a ground. Will the inverter work with the American split phase system? Hot (120) hot (120) ground?

The largest cutting area machine we have available is our greenBull 6X, which allows a cutting surface of 6' x 12'. The limit of our machines is the x-axis being the width, but you can elongate the machine as far as you require, being 15 Ft. or more.
I would highly recommend a visit to our R&D page, which allows you to post ideas/requests and to view the current tasks that we are working on!

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I work with carpet & padding and need to cut carpet to create clean 90 degree corners, and patterns for inlay's. The work area would need to be a minimum of 12 ft by 15 ft. Is there an affordable kit that could accommodate this size

Yes, you can use a laptop if you have a controller that uses a USB, like the Mach3 USB card. If you don't have that, you can purchase that part here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

If you have a controller board that connects to a 25 pin connector, modern laptops will not be able to connect to that port.

How old is your CNC computer system?

Additional Information:
The CNC computer system is 2013 (5 years). The built in video card went out. I will order the Mach3 USB card. Thank you.

Additional Information:
You're welcome

Click the link to add information to this solution:
The motherboard on the computer I bought from you went out. What would you suggest. I have a laptop, could I use it and use a Mach3 USB interface board?

We may be able to source those motors. Curious, the 6000 oz-in motor is pretty big. Do you mind explaining the application of the CNC machine and the structure that would require the large motor?

Additional Information:
The largest motors we can offer is 3900 oz-in without any mechanical help. 6000 oz-in can be resolved by mechanical means as an alternative.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am converting a 12x36 lathe over to CNC, I am interested in a 2 axis kit. I would love one stepper motor to be no smaller than 1200oz. , and another at 6000z. Is this something that you could offer? I have two other cnc machines but this is my first converstion on my own.

If you need to create a laser engraving system that engraves on a large rotating drum. You will need the motors, drivers, laser control system, laser tube, power supply for the laser and motion drives, and the mechanical and structural components to turn the drum (X axis) and move the y axis.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I wish to laser engrave wood drum shells. (musical instrument) A X axis with a 3 roller system, 2 passive inside the cylindrical shell, one driven to move the shell around it's circumference would suit my needs. I have 20 design engineering in my past, I could design up what I need in Autocad but have no idea how to automate the system and make it work. college was 20 years ago lol! Help!

Yes, here is the URL for the parallel breakout board that we sell:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

Click the link to add information to this solution:
can I purchase just the parallel controller board? I purchased the usb option 4 axis combo and would like to also try the system with my parallel port computer. Any help with this will be greatly appreciated; my goal is to implement mach4.

it is possible to install 2 motors on a single axis but you will require another driver and motor, but wire it directly to the same pins on your breakout board. Also the orientation of your motor since it is opposite side of the original so getting it to move accordingly to the original motor it will need to be orientated correctly. The slight shift could be the cause of the rod not being completely flat where the set screws are suppose to tighten the sprocket to the rod, so sanding it to a flatter surface might fix the shift in directions.
Currently do not have a kit or schematic available.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
My X-axis on the Blacktoe cannot run above ~40 ipm. I've checked all connections,tensions, sprocket locks, etc. All is fine. Can the 425 OZ stepping motor be replaced with a bigger motor, or could a second 425 OZ stepper be added to increase torque?

All of our controller will allow two steppers on any of the axes. Multiple stepper motors and drivers on a single axis is more a function of the way the stepper motor drives are connected to the output pins of the controller. To connect two stepper drivers to a single axis, you need to connect the output pins (dir and step) to each of the two stepper motor drivers.

Consider the controller on cost, features and how they are connected to the computer.

Out lowest cost controllers are:

Mach3 USB board - Has good features and uses the USB from the computer as the main connection
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Parallel Breakout - The computer generates the main signals and this board conditions the signals for the drivers. Although it requires the parallel port from older computer, the board has the most broad compatibility with control software out there including Mach3 and LinuxCNC.
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

Highest cost but most feature rich:

Pokey57CNC - works with both Mach3 and Mach4
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am looking for a controller for a 3 axis dual Y stepper cnc machine. If at all possible I would like a list of the parts that will be needed. I prefer to go with an ethernet setup vs a parallel port.

If the sensors are NC (normally closed) you can wire them in series. If the sensors are NO (Normally Open) you can still wire them to the same input, but the wiring needs to be in parallel (like a ladder). I have more information on the following video:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[788] Thanks for the oportunity to ask, I am building a cnc and using npn closed sensors could you help me with the conection of these, do i still connect them in series if i use more than two in each axis. Also you mention that a stop switch should be connected grd and input to the controller would that be done after the 24v power supply. Thanks r

Depending on the Breakout board that was purchased with your electronics combo, either USB or Parallel:
USB: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/
Parallel: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay#prettyPhoto/2/

These will have the inputs labeled on the board itself, for example:
USB will have the inputs for all the axis from X, Y, Z, A, limit switches.
Parallel there will be 4 inputs 10, 11, 12, 13, 16(relay). Which can be used as E-stop, Limits (for all axes if wired in a closed loop), and one relay for a spindle control on/off via mach 3 or mach 4 or a specific relay control that you desire.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Do you have a wiring diagram for a 3 axis system using your compotents. It would be nice if it showed the estop, limit switches,relays...

a 2' (24 inches) diameter workpiece for a 2'x8' machine may be a bit too much for an overhang. I would recommend the 4'x8' that can house a 4th axis in a cavity within the limits of the machine for a 24-inch part. If you need the rotary axis on the side of the machine, I can design a machine that would work.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[790] Is there a way to build a 2x8 flat cnc with a 4 th axis on the side so I can do 24” diameter objects. Or have the z axis that tall