Welcome to Our Community

Some features disabled for guests. Register Today.

Small problems with my WorkBee CNC build

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Peter Granger, Oct 23, 2020.

  1. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Hello,
    I am just finished building a 40 x 60 screw driven WorkBee CNC machine. I went with the High Torque GRBL bundle. I went with the High Torque NEMA 23 stepper motors and the Stepper Driver Adapter Modules. I also have the 1.5KW 110V Water Cooled Spindle and VFD. The hardware that I am using for control is the Arduino UNO and the CNC shield. I went with the GRBL instead of Mach3 because I felt that the Mach3 was older and wasn't updateable. I am having a few problems. I tried to install the recommended software but I wasn't able to. I ended up using the Open Builds Cam and Control. I was hoping to control the VFD through the hardware and software that I am using. How would I connect the VFD to the circuit board? I have limit switches connected but when I turn on the spindle the alarm goes off. I do have the shielded wires grounded so I don't think that electrical interference is the problem. Would I be able to connect a XYZ touch probe? I know that the hardware for control is inexpensive. Would it be better if I used different control hardware? What would you recommend?
    Thanks in advance
    Peter
     
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,753
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    Openbuilds Blackbox has the required 0-10v output to control a VFD and also better EMI immunity. CNC Shields (particularly the knockoffs) offer little more than sadness :)

    Refer to start [OpenBuilds Documentation]

    Read through the BlackBox documentation first, then look at the price. Then it will make more sense to you :)
     
    #2 Peter Van Der Walt, Oct 23, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2020
    Giarc likes this.
  3. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2015
    Messages:
    2,899
    Likes Received:
    1,613
    Sadly, your supplier most likely sold you an obsolete Chinese clone of a Protoneer CNC shield version 3.0. The pin mapping was for GRBL 0.8 for those boards. Protoneer came out with newer versions of their board that are designed for GRBL 1.1 but did not release the source files which is why low end Chinese companies still make and sell the obsolete version 3.0. The truly mysterious thing is why your supplier didn't just supply the current Protoneer board. It is only $14.95 for a genuine one. If you read here gnea/grbl, you will see the spindle pin has been moved which may be what is giving you troubles with that.
     
  4. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,753
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    Even the geniune ones lack decent drivers (reprap style breakouts severely limits the current capabilities due to reduced thermal management). It never was meant to run big CNCs. It was meant for small pen plotters etc running off Nema14-17s.
     
    Giarc and Rick 2.0 like this.
  5. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Thanks for the advice. If I was to use the Black Box would I still use the Stepper Driver Adapter Modules? would there be any other choices other than the Black Box?
    Cheers
    Peter
     
  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,753
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    No you won't need them, BlackBox has EVERYTHING you need, built in

    Watch

    for the 1010 and 1050:


    for the 1510:
     
  7. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Since I have them would there be any advantage to using them? Are the same modules built into the black box?
    Cheers
    Peter
     
  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,753
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    a) BlackBox does not cater to external drivers
    b) The drivers on the BlackBox is perfectly matched to our typical machine types and motors
     
  9. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2013
    Messages:
    2,855
    Likes Received:
    1,525
    No and no. You have two basic choices here:

    1. Arduino + (4) https://www.amazon.com/STEPPERONLINE-1-0-4-2A-20-50VDC-Micro-step-Resolutions/dp/B06Y5VPSFN/ + a relay system + a lot of complicated wiring and configuration.
    2. A BlackBox.

    What you have does not have the power needed to run the high torque steppers properly.
     
    Peter Van Der Walt likes this.
  10. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Thanks for your help. The Black Box has been ordered.
    Cheers
    Peter
     
    Peter Van Der Walt likes this.
  11. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Hello again,
    I have everything hooked up and working well. I am just working on some final details that I could get a little help with. Adjusting the stepper driver current. I have read a few different things on this. Do I need to test and adjust the current? One thing I read that it is fine from the factory. Everything appears to be working fine. I don't want to mess with the settings and cause some future problems. If I do need to adjust is there any videos on this topic? Thanks for all of your help.
    Cheers
    Peter
     
    David the swarfer likes this.
  12. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2018
    Messages:
    2,030
    Likes Received:
    1,428
  13. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Thanks for the response I am just wondering as the black boxes come from the factory set. how important is it to adjust them? Are there any videos showing how?
    Cheers
    Peter
     
    sharmstr likes this.
  14. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2018
    Messages:
    2,030
    Likes Received:
    1,428
    I had to adjust mine. Its super simple. Not sure of any videos.
     
  15. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Hello,
    I have a couple of quick questions. I am using Vectric Aspire Software. After a project is done on Vectric and I want to save it and send it to my Black Box I save it in the Post Processor under the file Grbl (mm) (*.gcode). Is that the one to use for the Black Box or is there a better one? There is a lot to choose from. I also have the XYZ Touch Probe Plus. I am using my I Phone to jog the machine. Which works extremely Well! am I able to set the auto zero from my phone? I now set things in the right spot and go to my computer to start the zero process. Thanks in advance.
    Cheers
    Peter
     
  16. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,753
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    Yes, mobile also has same Setzero buttons, and same dropdown menu next to the DROs

    IMG_20201104_065302.jpg

    Re Vectric, see docs:software:vectric [OpenBuilds Documentation]
     
  17. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
  18. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Hello,
    Just wondering if you can do the auto zero probe with my mobile jog widget?
    Cheers
    Peter
     
  19. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,753
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    Not at this time, the wizard needs a little more screen real estate than available on a phone
     
  20. Peter Granger

    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    5
    Thanks
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice