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IndustryArena Forum > OpenSource CNC Design Center > Arduino > Stepper drivers to the arduino
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    0

    Stepper drivers to the arduino

    Hello,

    i would need help, i would update my CNC to an arduno uno tablet because i will also use the laser module in Mach 3 but the laser does not sound as it should.
    I get stuck when connecting stepper drivers to the arduino.

    Scheme for arduino
    [img] https://i0.wp.com/blog.protoneer.co....ng?w=562&ssl=1 [/ img]

    My driver
    [img] https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1yfcWK...pg_640x640.jpg [/ img]

    But here's a problem that I don't know where to tie a thing to.
    On which pin on the arduin I bind STEP, DIR, EN, and + 5V

    I can't find myself anywhere on the net, but I don't know too much either, the current controller has the same marked outputs.

    Here is a manual from the drivers,
    http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?ac...;attach=262173

    thanks for the help

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Posts
    339

    Re: Stepper drivers to the arduino

    Try that (at your own risk). No idea what this set-up is, never tried it nor have those drivers... but I can't see any other ways to hook them up to this particular set-up.
    That External 5VDC might need to go to the USB connector instead of the barrel jack (barrel jack being 7~12V jugging from the voltage regulator right next to it. Try!).

    G'luck!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails duinostepr.jpg  

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    304

    Re: Stepper drivers to the arduino

    Bare in mind that your drivers are expecting active LOW signals for Step/Dir/Enable.
    You should check on arduino the active levels for the same signals.
    Make no mistake between my personality and my attitude.
    My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    230

    Re: Stepper drivers to the arduino

    i would update my CNC to an arduno uno tablet because i will also use the laser module in Mach 3 but the laser does not sound as it should.
    Your question is a little unclear. Are you saying that you have Mach 3 now; and it's working, but badly? And you want to move away from Mach 3, to using Grbl on an Arduino Uno?
    This can be made to work.
    Replace Mach 3 with Universal G-Code Sender: https://winder.github.io/ugs_website/
    Load Grbl onto your Arduino: https://github.com/gnea/grbl
    Use something like this to make physical connections to your Arduino: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-Pro...W/262924508778

    Or are you saying you want to use an Arduino Uno WITH Mach 3?
    If so, that will NOT work; Mach 3 doesn't talk to Arduinos with Grbl. Mach 3 goes direct to the stepper drivers from your PC's parallel port.


    Mecanix's hook-up diagram will work, but is less than ideal. The barrel jack on the Arduino connects to the voltage input on the 5v regulator on the Arduino board, and there will be voltage loss there (standard voltage regulators need to "skim a little off the top", so to speak, in order to function properly).

    All the following connections should be made thru the screw terminal adapters. Barrel jacks are good for temporary hookups, but screw terminals are better for permanent ones.

    The best thing to do is to connect a voltage supply in the range of +7 to +10 volts to the pin marked Vin on the Arduino. Lower voltage is better; if you have a choice; because it makes less heat (so pick a 7 volt supply instead of a 10 volt one if you can).
    If you only have a 5 volt supply available, connect it to the pin marked +5V on the Arduino. Do NOT connect anything other than +5 volts here, or you will kill your Arduino! Connecting here bypasses the voltage regulator on the Arduino.
    Next to the Vin pin is a Gnd pin. Connect the negative output (it may be marked negative, or it may be marked Gnd or Ground) from your +7 to +10 volts supply (or 5 volt supply if that's all you have) to this Gnd pin.

    On the Arduino, next up there is another Gnd pin, and then there is a pin marked +5V. Connect this pin to the +5V connection on the stepper drivers.
    That picture you linked to of the Arduino has the pin locations for the step and direction pins. Connect these to the stepper driver's step and direction inputs. Mecanix's diagram shows this hookup for the Z axis; you should do similar connections for the X and Y axes.
    The particular stepper driver that you have will function with the enable input disconnected. For now, I would leave this disconnected, until you have things working. You can try connecting it later, if you want your motors to turn off when they are not being used.

    Read the wiki pages on the Grbl github page; it has good information on how to get Grbl working.

    My quick read of the manual for your stepper drivers indicates that it's actually a common-anode, active-high connection (I think the signal is getting inverted twice, so it comes out as active-high). This may or may not be correct... so you may need to adjust settings $2 and $3 to get it working right. See this wiki page for more info:
    https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Gr...-Configuration

    Also - if you have not bought the Arduino yet; I strongly recommend going with an Arduino Mega 2560. Clone versions from China can be had for only a few US dollars more than the Arduino Uno (I like supporting the official Arduino project, and getting an original made-in-Italy product, but if finances are tight, clones do work).
    The reason is that Grbl literally fills all of the flash storage on the Arduino Uno. There is none left for adding features. The Arduino Uno only has 32K of flash, but the Arduino Mega 2560 has 256K of flash - plenty of room for new features.
    If you do go with an Arduino Mega, the correct version of Grbl for it is here: https://github.com/gnea/grbl-Mega


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    304

    Re: Stepper drivers to the arduino

    For what it can do Uno/Nano is quite capable to run a machine.
    If you are inclined to programming, you can use Mega to add extra functionality (if you posses programming skills)

    Long time ago I made an adapter board which holds Nano and DB-25 so that I can switch from Mach3 (when I'm routing wood) to GRBL (when I play with blue diode laser). Nano is powered from USB.
    Make no mistake between my personality and my attitude.
    My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    230

    Re: Stepper drivers to the arduino

    For what it can do Uno/Nano is quite capable to run a machine.
    Well, yes... but it's completely maxed out.

    If you are inclined to programming, you can use Mega to add extra functionality (if you posses programming skills)
    FWIW, additional features are under development now... and you don't have to be a programmer to use it - you just need to download the finished product and load it into your Arduino. I know - I'm one of the guys doing the development.

    My Grbl development project is here: https://github.com/bdurbrow/grbl-Mega/
    Please do note that it's still a work-in-progress!


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    304

    Re: Stepper drivers to the arduino

    Well, even maxed out, it works like a charm.

    Anyway, nice to see that to hear from developper.
    Make no mistake between my personality and my attitude.
    My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.

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