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CNC xPRO Driver

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by Spark Concepts, May 25, 2014.

CNC xPRO Driver

CNC xPRO Driver

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by Spark Concepts, May 25, 2014.

Spark Concepts CNC xPRO Driver. A new GRBL compatible, all-in-one stepper driver board with 4 motor controllers for XYZ + 1 clone (or rotary!). Capable of powering your next build with an ATX PSU (or 12V 2 wire supply), and ready for wireless printing. Compatible with Arduino (wireless robots anyone?)

Spark Concepts CNC xPRO GRBL driver board 4 axis
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  1. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Michael published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
    #1 Spark Concepts, May 25, 2014
    mybuild14 likes this.
  2. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Been waiting a long time for a board like this to come a long! Love the wireless capability's and can't wait to give one a go.
    Great job on this build Michael and best of luck on the Kickstarter
    Mark
     
    #2 Mark Carew, May 26, 2014
  3. mybuild14

    mybuild14 New
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    Could not decide on which controller and drivers to use on my OX build. You may have just made my choice a lot easier. Great build Michael! Looking forward to see when these are available. Please let us know what the price and availability will be. I'm sure there will be no problem with Kick starter meeting your goals.
    Dave
     
    #3 mybuild14, May 26, 2014
  4. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Thanks guys! We have been working on perfecting this board few months now. Our Kickstarter campaign is pending approval and should launch this week :D ! We're still working out the details on the pricing structure, but we do have 10 beta boards ready to ship the day the campaign ends. The first production run is set to ship late July/early Aug.

    Let us know if there is anything you think should be added ;). Any input is greatly appreciated.
     
    #4 Spark Concepts, May 27, 2014
  5. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Very nice board and project Michael :thumbsup: Good fortune with the Kickstarter.

    Tweakie.
     
    #5 Tweakie, May 27, 2014
  6. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Sounds great looking forward to the launch! :thumbsup:
    I would like to see an option for screw down power connectors as well as the ATX connector. Nothing fancy but maybe just a couple screw downs on the board, so the option is there for other power supply's. There maybe a way to utilize the existing atx connector so that it could be used for a two wire ps as well. Other then this I think you have covered all the bases. Hope this helps
    Looking forward to the jog pendant as well!
     
    #6 Mark Carew, May 27, 2014
  7. oni305

    oni305 Well-Known
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    This board never will be capable of implementing the 4th [independent] axis !!!
    Because the pin 19 & 22 on the tqfp package are input only, reserved to the ADC channel 6&7.... (page 4 of the datasheet)

    pin.png schem.png
     
    #7 oni305, May 28, 2014
  8. bobt

    bobt Well-Known
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    You also need to have 12v connections so that 12v fans and leds can be attached to the controller.

    Bob
     
    #8 bobt, May 28, 2014
  9. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    It would be great to see the 4th axis with the ability to be an independent axis or slave.
    @bobt Looks like there are 12 and 5v outs that could be used for fans (looking at the main build page labeled picture)
     
    #9 Mark Carew, May 28, 2014
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  10. bobt

    bobt Well-Known
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    Yes I did see the +12v and +5v one each. It is obvious that this controller is only for CNC work and will not work for a 3D printer. As long as that is the description then it is just fine.

    Bob
     
    #10 bobt, May 28, 2014
  11. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Thank you guys for all the input, keep it coming!

    @kram242 Great suggestion. Consider it done! We actually had quite a few internal debates about adding power from a 12V ps. The board will now include a 5V and 3.3V regulator on board to power the microcontroller and radio.

    Kram.png

    @oni305 Great catch; check out the BETA schematic for independent 4th axis fix ;)

    oni_red.png

    @bobt 12V and 5V are available at board edge. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. This CNC xPRO is designed specifically for CNC work. In about a month we will be releasing our 3D xPRO with very similar capabilities. Hold tight, it won't be long ;)


    Thanks again guys!
     
    #11 Spark Concepts, May 28, 2014
    Last edited: May 28, 2014
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  12. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Wiring diagrams added to the build log detailing hookup and different power options (ATX or 12/24V PS).
     
    #12 Spark Concepts, May 28, 2014
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  13. bobt

    bobt Well-Known
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    Ok - but make sure that the 12v interface does not connect in any way to the heater board. I made the mistake of hooking my LED lights up to the 12v from the power supply to the RAMPS 1.4 heater board connection and boy does it flicker. I will be moving the connect over on the boards 12v connect and see if that does not help.

    Bob
     
    #13 bobt, May 28, 2014
  14. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Thanks Bob, we will definitely keep this in mind as we move forward. Any luck?
     
    #14 Spark Concepts, May 31, 2014
  15. Jim Boswell

    Jim Boswell New
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    How do I order one of the Pro CNC boards?
    Thanks
    Jim
     
    #15 Jim Boswell, Jul 21, 2014
  16. brjig

    brjig New
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    how come most of these electronics max out at 2.5 amps.
    there are many nema motors that have a pretty high torque ratings at 2.8 amps.
    Meaning either you lose torque by plugging them in a 2.5am board or you need to go the gecko route which means you need a computer with a parallel port.

    It looks interesting enough, that im wanting to order one, especially since you can get a atx box for $15.

    Thanks
     
    #16 brjig, Jul 21, 2014
    Rob Atha and Jim Boswell like this.
  17. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    #17 Mark Carew, Jul 21, 2014
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  18. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Hi @Jim Boswell, we will have a pre-order/purchasing option through our website within the week. I will get you that link as soon as it goes live.

    @brjig, this is a limitation of the TI driver chips, sad but true

    As always, thank you Mark!

    We did make a few minor changes...
    20140718_163411.jpg

    and for those wondering about production...
    20140720_132809.jpg
     
    #18 Spark Concepts, Jul 21, 2014
    bobt, Jim Boswell, Mark Carew and 1 other person like this.
  19. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Love the new header pins for the steppers! :thumbsup: The black boards look very nice
    Hooked up the prototype last night and ran grbl control. Worked flawlessly!
    Looking forward to the pendents/expansions and the smart phone control
    Mark
     
    #19 Mark Carew, Jul 22, 2014
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  20. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    Hi guys, thanks for bearing with us while we reworked the website and finished up production. For those interested here is the new link for purchase: http://www.spark-concepts.com/cnc-xpro-controller/

    Estimate boards will begin shipping within a week!

    For our fellow Openbuilders use code: "SparkMe" to purchase at the kickstarter discount price ;).
     
    #20 Spark Concepts, Jul 25, 2014
    Serge E. and Jim Boswell like this.
  21. Jim Boswell

    Jim Boswell New
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    Hi Mike ,
    Just placed an order for one board..tried to apply the spark me code in the coupons box, but it didn't work....at least for me any way. Though you might want to know....order 109.
    Thanks again
    Jim
     
    #21 Jim Boswell, Jul 26, 2014
  22. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    #22 GrayUK, Jul 26, 2014
  23. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    @Jim Thanks for the support, sorry the code didn't work for you, if you get a chance would you mind sending me a pm with what OS and browser you are using? We have tried it a few time and had a few other purchase go through with it working...

    @Gray those look like great motors! You should have no problems driving 4 of those (that's the exact reason we designed with four separate driver IC's).
     
    #23 Spark Concepts, Jul 26, 2014
  24. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Thanks Michael, that's great. :thumbsup:

    Next question. My machine will be using all four drivers for the 3 axis, but how, in the future, do I go about organising a 4th axis? What extra bits will I need, and are you going to do them? :confused:
    Or will I need to buy another whole board? :(

    Any idea on the shipping costs to the UK yet?

    Can you feel a F.A.Q. section, on your website, coming on? :)

    Gray
     
    #24 GrayUK, Jul 27, 2014
  25. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    @Gray, this is somewhat of a tough one as all the drivers will be in use. You could pull the Astep/Adir pins from the 2x10 header on the board and run an external driver (like the Pololu driver, it will be pretty ugly though).

    In short, this is something we are fully considering for a new board. We debated with implementing this on the xPro, but it requires an upgrade to the microcontroller and 5 motors driver which quickly add up and most of the market is using 3axis machines with 4 motors so we decided to start there.

    Shipping the UK should be right around $15.

    I can definitely feel the FAQ coming on ;).

    -Mike
     
    #25 Spark Concepts, Jul 30, 2014
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  26. Woodie49

    Woodie49 New
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    Got a blank board from them, sent a email abouth a parts list and ect. Haven't heard back from them.
     
    #26 Woodie49, Aug 9, 2014
  27. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    How Blank???
     
    #27 GrayUK, Aug 9, 2014
  28. Spark Concepts

    Spark Concepts Journeyman
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    @Woodie49, I apologize for the 2 day response time, we are in the middle of you critical timing path to ensure on-time delivery to backers. Information needed to assemble the board was posted in the "Happy Monday" update, additionally files can be found on our website (link: http://www.spark-concepts.com/cnc-xpro-2v1-build-a-board/). Thanks for the support!

    @GrayUK, we offer unpopulated PCB for the build-your-own version of the CNC xPRO. This will be available through the website shortly. The board has ~100 SMD components and ~15 thru holes. I have assembled a lot of these by hand, completely do-able but takes a lot of patience
     
    #28 Spark Concepts, Aug 9, 2014
  29. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Oh I see :thumbsup:
     
    #29 GrayUK, Aug 9, 2014
  30. Jim Boswell

    Jim Boswell New
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    We'll Mike,
    Are you shipping the X PRO boards yet? How about the bare boards?
    Thanks again
    Jim. (A friend in need ; ))
     
    #30 Jim Boswell, Aug 11, 2014
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