See i cannot even put in a command. It will not allow me to do anything.

 

I see. What are you using to connect to send GRBL to the board?
It looks like more a connection problem than a configuration. I suppose your com4 port is the right one.
Is the board getting properly connected?
I had a problem in getting connected the board, solved connecting the USB before powering up the board.
ps:Sorry for silly questions, just writing whatever is coming in my mind to try figure out any possible reason.

 

I am using the usb cable. My com4 port. It connects to the board. And then immediately under the command line the CTRL-X appears and then a sentence or two that i dont understand.

 

Ive got the version 2 grbl .9 card, but the z limit switch has no effect. $21 =1 looking at the drawings on my version, the limit switch goes to the connector next to the Z stepper, but when I measure the voltage on this pin it is 0v - no pull up.
Am I missing something? Is there a command that enables the limit beside $21 =1. I have not tested the other limit switches for pull ups as yet. Need help to settle my nerves

 

Not that I'm aware of... unless you have $5=1 that reverts the pin limits behavior. Please note that I haven't installed switch limits yet, so mine is just theory.

 

Hey guys,
Anyone power there entire machine (spindle, steppers, driver, etc.) with one 48v power supply? Or is it better to keep them separated?
Reason for question: well first, I'm a newb to CNC and this forum. I have my OX, XPro V2 and 400w spindle with speed control and 48v PSU en route. I was just trying to avoid having two PSU's if there was a way to step down the voltage (safely and cleanly) to the required voltage for the XPro V2 and steppers. I apologize if this has already been covered. If it has, could you please direct me to the conversation. Thanks, Josh

 

I must admit that I have never tried having absolutely everything powered from the same PSU but my advice would be to always have a separate PSU for the spindle motor.

Tweakie.

 

Thanks Tweakie, 24v PSU is on the way.

 

Actually, I have connected a unique 24 PSU to xPro, Steppers and Spindle, but my spindle is a RC motor driven by an ESC.
Not sure it can be comparable with a real powerful spindle from current drawing standpoint, and PSU is 24V and not 48V.
Additionally, I just did too few cuts to have any real data to share.

 

Please do let us know how well it all works out once you get a bit further down the line.

Tweakie.

 

My motor is rated 30V max, and the ESC is rated 26V, so the 24V should not be a problem for them. Motor is a CopterX M5055 770KV.
As I said, the machine is not completed (missing limit switch, placed in a temporary place, etc) so I just used it for few cuts on PCB or wood, maximum for 10 minutes, and the motor was warm but not hot. I'll update as soon I'll use it a bit more.
PS: I'll be cutting mainly foam and ply, and may be some experiments on engraving PCB once a while.

Also, I'm finalizing a mod to the "inspiring" ESC control by Tweakie, to be used with GRBL, so that I can move out of the current servo tester to control the ESC and directly use the PWM output. It works on the breadboard, I need to make it more structural and better test it.

 

anyone have any ideas?

 

Are the switches normally open momentary contact? Can you check the switches with a multimeter and make sure pushing the switch button closes the circuit?

 

When I connect the switches to an led light the switch turns on the light. They are momentary switches.

 

Hmm, nothing special about the setup. The switch should just pull the appropriate pin to GND. Can you try just a single switch, with one side connected to GND and the other side connected to reset/abort?

 

I have the exact same problem, does anyone here has some suggestions ?

Appears right at start,
cannot put in any command,
nothing machined yet (so no debris at connections)

 

What does the text say? It is too small to read in the posted image.

-- John

 

Looks like there might be some known issues with GRBL Controller. Check the threads here: http://zapmaker.org/projects/grbl-controller-3-0/

I had some other issues with GRBL Controller doing weird stuff, and switched to Universal GCode Sender. Haven't had problems since.
Try version 1.08, which I think fixed some homing Gcode issues with GRBL 0.9.
https://github.com/winder/Universal-G-Code-Sender

 

John, thank you so much for your quick reply. I am going to try this solution as soon as I am home, I am going to keep you updated.
BTW: I am using the Xpro V2 with GRBL 0.8

 

Ah, if you are using GRBL 0.8 you need to set baud rate to 9600, not 115200. I would highly recommend updating to 0.9, however. It really added a number of nice enhancements.

--John

 

John, sorry, my bad, I have checked, it's a 0.9 version GRBL

 

and now, all it says at start up is:

 

What happens if you just send a $$ command? Sometimes mine needs to be prompted with input. I either send a $$ or from the machine control tab send a soft reset.

 

Thanks for the reply....yepp that's the problem, nothing happens, I can send whatever....

 

Silly question, but are you sure it's the correct serial port? Maybe try downloading the latest FTDI drivers - http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

 

Oh no, absolutely not a silly question, but i have already re-installed 3 times. No success....

 

I'm at a loss, then.

Do you have an Arduino IDE installed, so you can try just some basic serial terminal communication via the serial monitor?
Maybe try sending a message to Michael, who started this thread. He is one of the creators of the xPRO.

 

Thank you so much for the help. I am lost here too.....I have contacted already Spark concepts from where I have purchased the board. I am at the point where I assume that it is a hardware issue.