Getting ready to connect 3 stepper drivers to my Arduino UNO equipped CNC. The UNO is programmed with grbl 1.1. The driver manual asks if the controller is common anode or common cathode, terms I am unfamiliar with. Are they referring to Hi/Low output on the Arduino pins and if so what state does grbl set the pins too??? Any info appreciated.
Thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for, grbl sets the Arduino pins low. Steppers are DM542's.
Short background; have been slowly upgrading a basic Banggood 3018 (limit switches, bigger spindle, stiffer frame etc.) and are upgrading to NEMA 23's with above mentioned stepper drivers. Definitely new to standalone drivers and individual power supply (Meanwell 24v 16amp). Using "Candle" as the controller software. A couple of questions; when power supply to the drivers is turned on the stepper motors are energized and shafts can't be turned by hand. Never noticed this with the NEMA 17's, normal?? The motors get warm. I think I made a mistake with original driver purchase, STB6600, They will drive the steppers until the X and Y lead screws are attached then go belly up, lot's of noise, stopping even though the motors are energized. Have Stepperonline 542 drivers coming,should that fix the problem ?? Many thanks for your assistance. This has been a learning project for Grandson and self.
Also never turn shafts by hand, even with power off. Spinning the motor, makes it act like a generator, backfeeding the drivers, which can damage or even destroy the driver. Only safe time to spin a motor, is under control from the stepper driver via software, or by hand with the motor disconnected from the driver.
