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




Additional Information:
6 axis robot with Mach3 Card 6 Axis Motion Controller

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I bought Mach 4 and Mach 3 USB Motion card STB4100. The installation Manual you direct me to is for installing board with Mach3. Where can I find directions for the combination of products I bought? The axis motors are held stationary by the magnets but when I try to jog an axis from mach 4 program, no movement.

I am not using a parallell port. I am using a USB.

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I bought Mach 4 and Mach 3 USB Motion card STB4100. The installation Manual you direct me to is for installing board with Mach3. Where can I find directions for the combination of products I bought? The axis motors are held stationary by the magnets but when I try to jog an axis from mach 4 program, no movement.

Yes, we are currently redesigning the entire machine and we will offer plans for the Vertical Laser XL machine as well.

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Hello, I want to put together an XL verticle laser/cnc router. Need to do it on a limited budget. Can get many of the components and can mill most of the structure. Do you offer plans for such a project?

Modifying the Z-axis to accommodate a larger motor will be a worth while task and is possible, however we have not calibrated the z-axis therefore using the 1600 Steps-per inch in the motor tuning on our machine in our shop. We have not noticed any significant depth increments from not calibrating the z-axis but only from zeroing the z axis too close to the material. Also in your design did you specify the actual depth and the length of tool (end mill/ bit) that you are using?

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I bought a Blacktoe 2 x 8 three years ago and have always had a problem with the Zid axis. No matter how tightly I've calibrated the axis it always cuts to deep. Can I put a larger Stepper motor on Z-axis using the same motion electronics that came with the original machine.

NC mechanical switch configuration is supported. You can download the manual from this page (Mach4 plugin and manuals):
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

The pokeys57CNC controller has input terminals and pins for limit switches on each of the 8 axes. There are three separate inputs per axis, two for the actual limits of that axis, and one for the home position.

Connect each switch between the GND terminal and its respective axis limit terminal/pin. For instance, the limit switch will typically have three leads, COM, NC, and NO. In an NC configuration, the NC connects to the terminal/pin, say, Axis 1 lim +, and the COM connects to the GND terminal.

In Mach4, in the new device wizard, make sure to specify the correct option on the home and limit switches that matches the machine configuration.



Additional Information:
can you use one switch per axis for home only?

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Hello, I am trying to configure Home and Limit switches using the Pokeyes57cnc and NC switches. I am confused on the procedure of setting this up. wiring to the board and setting up in Mach4. Can you direct me to a tutorial or offer some suggestions? Thanks Dale

The upper right hand corner of the data sheet found at https://buildyourcnc.com/Documents/PN.SM86HT80-5504B-U(inhouse%20PN.85BYGH450A-47-80)%20(1).pdf labels the coil wires A-D and also by color, which refers to the colors coming off of the motor. Our specification for A+, A-, B+, B- follows the labeling of the driver connections where A+ is coil A's positive lead and the same for the B coil. If you find yourself wiring 4-wire stepper motors without a datasheet, you can easily determine which colors go together with an ohmmeter. Each pair associated with the same coil will have continuity (negligable resistance) between them.

Additional Information:


Additional Information:
https://buildyourcnc.com/Documents/PN.SM86HT80-5504B-U has an error
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The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable

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Wiring the greenBull stepper motors, in the video you say to look at the data sheet for the motor, which is the 651, in the data sheet it shows A, B, C, D, for the colors, and in the video you say A+, A- and so on. Is there a video for wiring the connection to the RedFly that I bought to better explain what I need to do next. I'm using 16c4 SO cord, so I can match color to color on the motor side.

Fusion 360 is a program that allows you to design in a parametric 3 dimensional environment and also provides a great CAM toolset. Fusion 360 will produce the gcode with the CAM capabilities. The gcode is used to move the machine in various ways in order to mill the material; however, software is needed to interpret this gcode and cause the machine to move according to the gcode instructions. This is called control software. So Fusion is CAD/CAM, and you still need "control". Mach3 is one example of control software for milling and is highly recommended.

Install Mach3 onto the computer that will connect to the redFly(CNC electronics), then configure the Mach3 parameters for the machine (motor tuning, plug-ins, inputs/output, etc.). Home the machine, load the gcode into Mach3 and the machine will move according to the gcode.

A word of caution, since you are new to CNC machines, make sure you familiar yourself with the machine and the movements of the machine specific to how the gcode is arranged with respect to the coordinates of the machine. Try with very simple gcode until you get a very good understanding of how the machine will move.

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Hello, My friend has purchased the Redfly and I am helping him a little with it. We are both very new to CNC. I am using fusion 360 at the moment. This can tool path and create gcode. I was wondering if Mach 3 or similar is still needed. Is there a tutorial you could point me to that explains how to get the Gcode from the PC, via Serial to the Redfly?

There are two things to consider when using two stepping motors on a single axis. Since you want both motors to spin at the same rate and possibly in the same direction, you need to connect both motor drivers to the same breakout board pins. For example, if you want two motors on the x-axis and the x-axis pins on the breakout board are #2 for step and #3 for direction, the #2 will connect to the step (cp) terminal on each driver and the #3 will connect to the dir (cw) terminal on each driver.

However, if the motors will be opposing (one motor will need to spin in the other direction), you will need to consider either flipping the rack on one side, or adding a circuit to invert the direction (#3) signal going to that driver.

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I'm planning a rack and pinion style gantry, and need clarification on how to slave a second stepper to the Y (or X). Can you direct me to that information for your products?

You can get them from us. Please send an email to sales@buildyourcnc.com with your order information, or call our customer service line M-F 9-5 at 281-815-7701.

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Working on GreenBull 5x10 assembly and I am missing one 1/2 rigid coupling for installing the X axis motor and chain mounts. I am also missing the two 1/2 drive sprockets as well. Where can I get these items?

Yes, if you wish to get help with a product that was not purchased at buildyourcnc.com, you can go to this link and purchase a token:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/sub-assemblies-Technical-support-token

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[541] I need some help, can I pay you for your time? I have a old Golden Laser has 2 co2 lasers 80 watts each, trying to put a new Ruida 6445G contorller in 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.

Drivers will have terminals with labels that represent a pulse, clock or step, and for direction. Look at the following to determine which terminal is used for what purpose.

Step- = CP- = P-
Step+ = CP+ = P+
Dir - = CW- = D-
Dir+ = CW+ = D+

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Hi, I have one of your mach3 controller boards and have followed the tutorial videos but my motor drivers do not have p+ p- d+ d- I only have sted, dir, en and +5v

Make sure that the port setting for that output is set to port 3. To do this in Mach3, click config -> Ports & Pins -> click the outputs tab and in the list of outputs, select the output you want to use and set the port to 3.

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I have a single axis motion for my table saw fence. Motor, limit switches and e-stop work fine. I now need to add an air solenoid relay but I cannot get the outputs to work. I have 24v supply connected and tried using the Spindle output on pin 1. But using a multimeter, there is no voltage on the Output 1 terminal.

That will depend on the controller that was installed in the redFly. If the controller is a pokeys57CNC controller, you can use Mach 4 with that system.

You can add a 4th axis and an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) with the redFly system.

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Does the Redfly that I bought with the GreenBull in 2016 work with Mach4? Also I want to add a 4th axis and a spindle with automatic tool changer. Will this work too or do I need a new control board? I bought my CNC with a longer Z travel, so I have plenty of room for these. Thanks!

Yes, if you need a replacement part on your machine please call us at 281-815-7701.

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I have a blacktooth laser engraver. The Y Axis stepper motor needs to be replaced. Can you please provide me with the information I would need to replace this motor.

The best place to find information and step by step instructions for Mach4 is to use the manuals provided by MachSupport.com.

Here is a link to the PDF manuals for Mach4: http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

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I purchased Mach 4 control software and am in need of a very elementary tutorial on set up. I am extremely new to this and need step by step help. Thanks

Yes, we offer a CNC electronics assembled package called the redFly, redLead and redSprout. If you already have a computer, I would recommend the redFly. You would still need to add connectors to the ends of your motor cable.

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-computer-system-redFly

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I need to replace the fried electronics box for my 6090 wood router. Do you offer a play and play, no wiring required, kit? If yes, how much? If no, can you recommend one?

To determine the status of your order, simply log in and click on the "[My Account]" link at the top of the page. If you purchased as a guest, you will need to call the office to determine the status and get the tracking number for your order.

The office phone number can be found by clicking "Need Help?" is located at the top right of all buildyourcnc.com web pages.

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I placed an order for a 4th axis with tailstock on Wednesday and was just wanting to check on the shipment status. I'm needing the item early next week and need to confirm that it will arrive in time. Thank you.

You can find the wiring diagram for the Mach3 USB card on its product page here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Here is a direct link to the diagram:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Documents/Electric%20Wiring%20Diagram.pdf

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I need wiring diagram for motor to driver to usb motion card. I cannot find diagram. I have been unable to get information for a week.