hello guys does anyone know good suppliers for controller everything I can find is out of stock or the states. I need to order a controller and psu but hoping to Canada.
What size of stepper motors are you using? If you are using small Motors with low current why not use GRBL in a Nano and some DRV8825 for the drivers. Can be assembled on a board and you have you controller. All parts are available in Canada.
Using the Nano with GRBL is pretty easy its the choice of drivers that makes it tough for Nema23 steppers. It can be done using DRV8825 but you will be limited to about 2.2amps. There are other China drivers that do more current but I have heard mixed feelings about them. To make a solid controller I decided to use Nano & Gecko G540. It might be a little over kill but works like a dream, no issues of missing steps and can use 48volts. The downfall is G540 is only available in the US and they are more money than cheap drivers. But in the end it's worth it. If you decide to try the Nano & DRV8825s I could help you out this the circuit, might still have the design since I was originally going this route.
Usually when I order from the US it takes no more than 10 business days to get. I ordered my G540 from Soigeneris. The G540 is designed to use a LPT computer port but it does work with GRBL & Nano using an LPT cable.
@minifly3 sent you a pm @Northernboy Do you run a vfd / spindle setup with your nano+g540? If so; would you want to do some beta testing for me?
Kyo, I run a Dewalt router through a SSR attached to the Nano & GRBL 1.1c. So no VSD just turning on/off router.
I am currently running a smoothieboard, but was going to swap it for a grbl setup. I have a 1.5kw spindle with VFD that I am about to hook up. What sort of testing did you need done?
I designed a board for my next project. It makes using a Gecko G540 with grbl plug and play via a nano. I have been able to test all the gecko break out board connections. ( limit , coolant, spindle enable, ect. ) but do not have a vfd to test that connection. The gecko g540 has pins 7,8,9 for vfd connection and receives a pwm input on db25 pin 14. I am providing it with the grbl pwm from pin 11 but am not sure it if it will work 100% ( it should in theory ) but gecko wants a 50Hz pwm and gbrl is i think 7.8kHz ?? You can change the prescalers for grbl to 0x07 1024 to get 60Hz ( if i understand correctly ) Pretty much as i can not test in house I am unsure if the difference in pwm frequency will prevent us from using the gecko break out board for vfd connection. If my understanding is correct you give the G540 up to 10v across pin 7 and 9.. ground (pin 7) 10v+ (pin 9) and the gecko will take your pwm signal on db25 14 convert the pwm to analogue internally and output a 0-10v signal based on the pwm duty cycle to your vfd (pin 8) to control spindle speed. I am also unsure how grbl provides it's pwm, is it already providing a analogue voltage signal? I still have some reading to do in this area. But made the connection just in case it turns out we can use it. sure i will try and help as much as possible. Feel free to ask... In reply to minifly3's pm I think this might be a good list for others as well. so will cross post it here as well. "" Sure. I will go over a few different grbl based set ups to give you some options and will try to included some links for you as well. There are a lot more options then I can list here. But I will go over a few I have used. -------------- Option One------- -Raspberry Pi 3 link -Protoneer Hat link -Protoneer External Driver board link -OB Drivers link -Power Supply link or link With this setup you have a nice compact pc in the form of the raspberry pi 3 running protoneers Linux image. This will already have control software installed. His driver board allows you to run external drivers in place of the smaller pololu sockets to power larger Nema 23 motors. The Hat has a built in atmega328 chip ( like a uno ) that runs grbl and gives the pi the proper connectivity. This setup currently runs my original Plate maker build! I have also used a Pi Zero / 2 / 3 all seem to works just fine. --------------Option Two--------- -Gecko g540 4 axis driver link -My g540 interface board kit link -Power Supply link or link With option two you have a well documented and powerful driver (g540) with built in breakout board that has both short circuit protection and opto-isolation. My board comes with a nano preloaded with grbl and offers a plug and play solution for the gecko g540. not using a pi you are free to run any laptop or computer you want ( including a pi ) This package came about as I wanted to learn fritzing and kicad and I learn best with hands on projects. So I designed a board I needed for my next project and thought others might want one -------------Option Three------ -Arduino Uno with shield link -Protoneer External Driver board link -OB Drivers link -Power Supply link or link Option three probably has the most users. The uno cnc shield has been around a lot longer then my g540 interface board and is tried and tested. Originally designed by Protoneer you can pick them up all over the place. Using his external driver boards you can still make use of more powerful drivers to run Nema 23 motors. Much like my board this setup does not use a pi and you are free to use any computer to run your control software. --------------------------------------------------- Motors-- I have been very happy with both standard and HT Nema 23 motors offered by Openbuilds and can highly recommend them. If trying to chose a perhaps cheaper option I have also had good luck with stepperonline motors like these here link No matter what controller combo you decide to go with you may also want to consider the following. ( I do not run limit switches or probes but you very well may want to.. ) So consider these just reference links. -Limit Switches link (I have been running these on my bench tests and they seem to be nice switches ) -E-stop link link (like above same unit I have been bench testing with ) -Tool Probe link ( I have never messed with a tool probe beyond research, I have honestly seen members build nicer looking units but the function is simple ( close loop on contact ) ) When considering routers and spindles you have so many options so let me instead link to what I run on my plate maker and has proven reliable for me. -Dewalt 611 link I have been running mine for almost a year now! -Collet Kit link A little pricey but pays for it self with end mill selection and quality. I hope this gives you some options and helps you in your build..
I have the Uno with shield, and have DQ542MA external drivers. I wish to try out the latest version GRBL, 1.1 I think? Couple of questions, first of all, can you hook up an LCD display to GRBL, like you can with Marlin, SMoothieware, etc? Also, What are the strongest current pololu stepper drivers? And where can I download the latest GRBL version? Thanks in advance.
To test the VFD connections, you could use an oscilliscope. Banggood.com has some inexpensive DIY kits that would do the job.
The current stable release for grbl is 0.9j and is what I use on my running machine.. 1.1 is available but only as a public beta at the moment to encourage testing and feedback. ( I am hoping to play with 1.1 some time next week ) your gui needs to support v1.1 as well not all do yet but he has a list on the git hub.. We now also have a official Mega development branch Currently not really ( with the extra space on the 2560 it would be interesting to have a headless option). I have seen some use a lcd like this example. With the use of a second arduino.But have not looked into it myself. I confess to having given up on pololu style drivers with the drv8825. They works great with nema 17's and short jobs with nema 23's But I could never get them to work reliably long term. I have been using the dq542ma and g540 and have not looked back That is a good idea with the oscilliscope. And who can say no to more tools haha
