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CNC xPRO Driver

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

  1. Michael Englmaier

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    See i cannot even put in a command. It will not allow me to do anything.
     
  2. Macchp

    Macchp New
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    I see. What are you using to connect to send GRBL to the board?
    It looks like more a connection problem than a configuration. I suppose your com4 port is the right one.
    Is the board getting properly connected?
    I had a problem in getting connected the board, solved connecting the USB before powering up the board.
    ps:Sorry for silly questions, just writing whatever is coming in my mind to try figure out any possible reason.
     
  3. Michael Englmaier

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    I am using the usb cable. My com4 port. It connects to the board. And then immediately under the command line the CTRL-X appears and then a sentence or two that i dont understand.
     
  4. davidbrowne

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    Ive got the version 2 grbl .9 card, but the z limit switch has no effect. $21 =1 looking at the drawings on my version, the limit switch goes to the connector next to the Z stepper, but when I measure the voltage on this pin it is 0v - no pull up.
    Am I missing something? Is there a command that enables the limit beside $21 =1. I have not tested the other limit switches for pull ups as yet. Need help to settle my nerves
     
  5. Macchp

    Macchp New
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    Not that I'm aware of... unless you have $5=1 that reverts the pin limits behavior. Please note that I haven't installed switch limits yet, so mine is just theory.
     
  6. Josh B

    Josh B Well-Known
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    Hey guys,
    Anyone power there entire machine (spindle, steppers, driver, etc.) with one 48v power supply? Or is it better to keep them separated?
    Reason for question: well first, I'm a newb to CNC and this forum. I have my OX, XPro V2 and 400w spindle with speed control and 48v PSU en route. I was just trying to avoid having two PSU's if there was a way to step down the voltage (safely and cleanly) to the required voltage for the XPro V2 and steppers. I apologize if this has already been covered. If it has, could you please direct me to the conversation. Thanks, Josh
     
  7. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    I must admit that I have never tried having absolutely everything powered from the same PSU but my advice would be to always have a separate PSU for the spindle motor.

    Tweakie.
     
  8. Josh B

    Josh B Well-Known
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    Thanks Tweakie, 24v PSU is on the way.
     
  9. Macchp

    Macchp New
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    Actually, I have connected a unique 24 PSU to xPro, Steppers and Spindle, but my spindle is a RC motor driven by an ESC.
    Not sure it can be comparable with a real powerful spindle from current drawing standpoint, and PSU is 24V and not 48V.
    Additionally, I just did too few cuts to have any real data to share.
     
  10. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Please do let us know how well it all works out once you get a bit further down the line.

    Tweakie.
     
  11. Macchp

    Macchp New
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    My motor is rated 30V max, and the ESC is rated 26V, so the 24V should not be a problem for them. Motor is a CopterX M5055 770KV.
    As I said, the machine is not completed (missing limit switch, placed in a temporary place, etc) so I just used it for few cuts on PCB or wood, maximum for 10 minutes, and the motor was warm but not hot. I'll update as soon I'll use it a bit more.
    PS: I'll be cutting mainly foam and ply, and may be some experiments on engraving PCB once a while.

    Also, I'm finalizing a mod to the "inspiring" ESC control by Tweakie, to be used with GRBL, so that I can move out of the current servo tester to control the ESC and directly use the PWM output. It works on the breadboard, I need to make it more structural and better test
    it.
     
  12. Pbmaster11

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    anyone have any ideas?
     
  13. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    Are the switches normally open momentary contact? Can you check the switches with a multimeter and make sure pushing the switch button closes the circuit?
     
  14. Pbmaster11

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    When I connect the switches to an led light the switch turns on the light. They are momentary switches.
     
  15. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    Hmm, nothing special about the setup. The switch should just pull the appropriate pin to GND. Can you try just a single switch, with one side connected to GND and the other side connected to reset/abort?
     
  16. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    I have the exact same problem, does anyone here has some suggestions ?

    Appears right at start,
    cannot put in any command,
    nothing machined yet (so no debris at connections)


    [​IMG]
     
  17. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    What does the text say? It is too small to read in the posted image.

    -- John
     
  18. Bernd

    Bernd New
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  19. Bernd

    Bernd New
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  20. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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  21. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    John, thank you so much for your quick reply. I am going to try this solution as soon as I am home, I am going to keep you updated.
    BTW: I am using the Xpro V2 with GRBL 0.8
     
  22. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    Ah, if you are using GRBL 0.8 you need to set baud rate to 9600, not 115200. I would highly recommend updating to 0.9, however. It really added a number of nice enhancements.

    --John
     
  23. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    John, sorry, my bad, I have checked, it's a 0.9 version GRBL
     
  24. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    and now, all it says at start up is:

    upload_2015-3-20_17-16-3.png
     
  25. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    What happens if you just send a $$ command? Sometimes mine needs to be prompted with input. I either send a $$ or from the machine control tab send a soft reset.
     
  26. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    Thanks for the reply....yepp that's the problem, nothing happens, I can send whatever....
     
  27. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    Silly question, but are you sure it's the correct serial port? Maybe try downloading the latest FTDI drivers - http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
     
  28. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    Oh no, absolutely not a silly question, but i have already re-installed 3 times. No success....
     
  29. John Meikrantz

    John Meikrantz Well-Known
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    I'm at a loss, then.

    Do you have an Arduino IDE installed, so you can try just some basic serial terminal communication via the serial monitor?
    Maybe try sending a message to Michael, who started this thread. He is one of the creators of the xPRO.
     
  30. Bernd

    Bernd New
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    Thank you so much for the help. I am lost here too.....I have contacted already Spark concepts from where I have purchased the board. I am at the point where I assume that it is a hardware issue.
     

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