TinyG Controller and DQ542MA stepper motors?

You shouldn't need to run the TinyG, as there individual drivers you can wire them direct to the Arduino - my current setup is a GShield that runs X and Z and a DM542 that runs both of the Y steppers - I will be going to higher torque steppers so the GShield will be on/over its limit - It all depends on what steppers you running

This may be of some use assuming your using grbl

 

If you have the openbuilds hi torque steppers (325 oz) they pull 4 amp (Max) - you will need the DQ542 drivers, The TinyG is only rated to a max of 1.9 amps (dr8811 driver chips iirc)

your psu may be a issue as well as it will need to be a min of 8 amps

 

the 4 divers are the way to go, stepper motors are a mine field as you can get all sorts inc hi torque, low current ones what are fine for the all in one boards

these max rating are the maximum current they draw at a stall current

Arduino wise the uno is the most common, I have used ones like the nano, micro and mega for other projects, its worth going for the genuine Arduino uno as they seem more stable (in my use cases)

 

The Arduino and DQ524 drivers is all you need - you do not need any shields or a TinyG (Thay are just motor drivers)

Use the 2 pictures above and wire them up install grbl on the uno and away you go

This maybe of some help

 

I like LinuxCNC with Mesa 5i25/7I76 plug and play kit to run the drivers. Really easy to get things moving.

 

Linux isn't for every one and a system like the mesa isn't cheap and tbh is over kill on a machine like the c beam - wow really its almost half the cost of a C Beam mechanical kit

Grbl is tried and tested even autocad support it out the box at a fraction of the cost

 

You do not need the TinyG !!! only power you need is to the drivers, limit switches are wired off the Arduino

Keep it simple, trust me I have been there,

 

LinuxCNC and Mesa is cheaper than Mach 3. I was just giving him more options to choose from. Grbl isn't that great. The universal gcode sender program isn't that great. I like LinuxCNC. You can go grbl or mach 3 or whatever. Whichever route you take then more power to you. In the end, he will need to look at the different options and go with what he thinks is best.

 

My first build I went with LinuxCNC and a simple C10 breakout board. This was after I got tired of messing with a board that had built in drivers. I was not impressed with the universal gcode sender and grbl. With my current build, I was planning on going the BOB route again. I finished some good paying projects. I decided to spurge on the Mesa boards. It was nice to get everything set up and running in one evening.

 

tbh these are hobby grade machines, never had a issue with grbl even with the most complex g-code fusion 360 can throw at it

For a hobby user cost is a major factor the likes of mach 4 hobby is $200 for the software the last time I looked it was still based on 10-15 year old tech using parallel

As for Mesa, PC or PC104 base, fpga board, then drivers and you into a lot of money for features your never use and requirements your never need