UNO GRBL DQ542MA Wiring Methods

pointing with leadscrew ===> BOSS LEVEL (-;

PS thanks for using a tripod for the camera

 

One can also use wing shields to connect the wires to the Arduino
Screw Shield - Shield for Arduino - Seeed Studio

 

Really nice job on this tutorial video @Kyo
You really hit the nail on the head with this as we have been needing a simple explanation style video that helps Builders to understand how to connect the drivers.
Thank you so much for taking the time to create and share this.
@David the swarfer these are really cool! I didn't know about them, thank you for the share.
Mark

 

Thanks. I am linking this in my build since people have asked me over there. I try to send them your way since you do a better job explaining it.

 

I've watched the video at least 5 times. Thank you for posting.

I just upgraded my machine to use the 542s. They ran great using your first method. I'm redoing my control box and want to wire it up without the enable wires hooked up. Is there any downside in doing it this way? You dont mention any negatives in your video, but its been awhile and just making sure you havent come across anything.

 

I have no enable lines hooked and it all works perfectly....
I do have a power switch on the stepper PSU that I use as a 'emergency stop'.
I plan to hook that switch's other terminals to the Uno so GRBL knows there is a stop, but have not got to it yet.

Having the switch also means I can goto MCS and then power off the motors while I fiddle with software, otherwise they do get a bit hot.
When I power on again I can goto G54 and it lines up just fine.

 

Great! It sure make for a less cluttered cabinet.

Do you mind explaining this? " I can goto MCS and then power off the motors".

 

sure can. MCS= Machine Coordinate System, ie the system where home is defined (1).
WCS = Work Coordinate System, one of G54 to G59, what you set when you click one of the axis 'set zero' buttons.
GRBL saves this as an offset from the MCS.

for GUI I use bCNC and it gives me the option of creating macro buttons. These buttons allow one to set any Gcode and run it with just a click.
So I have an MCS button that does this
G90 G17 ; make sure we have absolute mode and the XY plane set
G53 G0 Z0 ; raise Z to home
G53 G0 X0 Y0 ; go home, this is machine home, not work home

then I have another macro button for WCS
G90 G17
G53 G0 Z0 ; raise Z to safety
G0 X0 Y0 ; go to work coordinates 0,0

To use machine coordinates you have to give it G53 on every line, otherwise it will use the currently active work coordinate system.

(1) what defines home?
if you have no home limit switches then home is defined as 'where GRBL turned on or reset'. This can be anywhere BUT make sure Z is as high as it will go. This is a critical safety setting since most Gcode generators assume the G53 G0 Z0 is 'safe' for any further movement. (GRBL will also default G28 to this place).

If you have home limit switches then home is where it homed + or - some offset. In this case one may need to use
G53 G0 Z-5
G53 G0 X-10 Y-10
to avoid hitting the limit switches.

 

Gotcha. For whatever reason, I was thinking MCS was software I've never heard of. I blame Sunday

Like you, my plan is to hook up an estop to the psu and the arduino. Thank you!

 

Correct, red indicates "disabled" either because of the Enable signal, or some error state. if its moving, its surely Enable, as all the other real error states will result in a non moving motor