PlanetCNC controllers offer digital outputs for external equipment control. Digital outputs of controller are usually used with output board for spindle control. To expand number of outputs, you can use ExtOut board with 8 relays. This board comes useful when you need to control many external devices such as vacuum pumps, various actuators, selenoid pneumatic valves (ATC). […]
With Mk3 controller you can use MPG pendant. MPG is connected with MK3 controller via MPG adapter board. First connect MPG adapter board with controller using controllers CTRL header. Then connect MPG to adapters DB25 connector: Please read this tutorial on how to use MPG with PanetCNC TNG software: Using MPG pendant with PlanetCNC […]
With Mk3 and Mk3/4 controller you can use external jogging keyboard: Jogging keyboard is connected to controllers JOG header via 16pin ribbon cable. MK3 JOG header: Mk3/4 JOG header: Jogging keyboard connection with Mk3 controller: Jogging keyboard connection with Mk3/4 controller: Please read tutorial on how to configure jogging keyboard […]
This tutorial will help you configure MPG pendant related settings in PlanetCNC TNG software. MPG settings are located under File/Settings/Control/Jogging -> Handwheel Parameter description: Enable: Enables use of encoder for purposes of jogging when using MPG pendant(used with Mk3 MPG adapter) or standalone encoder. For more info regarding controllers encoder inputs please read Mk3 and Mk3/4 controller […]
For purposes of machine jogging, user can use on screen jogging keys, PC keyboard keys or external jogging keyboard. On-screen jogging keys: Click the cross button next to jogging speed window: Cloud with jogging keys will appear: Jogging keys can appear permanently on main screen if you set: File/Settings/User Interface/Jog Panel -> enable […]
Sometimes our NC program does not perform quite as we plan. Many times just a small correction of g-code does the trick and for this we need to edit our NC program. For this purpose you can use built-in “Edit” feature. Edit feature is located under Program menu. When Edit feature is active, window is opened with […]
One of the most important steps when setting up your machine in PlanetCNC TNG software is configuring machines max speed and acceleration values. With speed and acceleration values that are not suitable for one’s machine, user risks lost steps(stepper motor) or increased torque(servo motor), damaged work-pieces, broken machine and most important, lost time. To obtain […]
One of the most useful tools of PlanetCNC TNG software are its script files. PlanetCNC TNG software offers numerous program features that allow flexible and fluent work flow when operating a CNC machine. To name a few of the most common ones: Work position/Measure Height, Tool Offset/Measure Length, Tool change procedure, Homing procedure and the […]
This tutorial will help you create new profile in PlanetCNC TNG software. If you have multiple CNC machines (machines of different dimensions, different types) with its corresponding controllers, and you want to use them with only one computer, it is very useful to create separate profiles. Using profiles makes up for much more organized and transparent file […]
Follow these tutorials to setup your CNC machine: 1.) How to set step per unit values in PlanetCNC TNG software 2.)How to configure limit switch inputs of controller in PlanetCNC TNG software 3.)How to set motor & soft limits in PlanetCNC TNG software 4.)How to set homing procedure in PlanetCNC TNG software 5.)How to measure tool […]
You can use o-word conditional statements with PlanetCNC TNG. O-word conditional statement consist of if, elseif, else and endif keywords. All keywords of the same conditional statement should use same o-word number. Example of if…endif conditional statement: % #1=10 o100 if [#1 EQ 10] (PRINT,Condition is true) o100 endif % Parameter #1 is assigned value 10. o100 if […]
Some CNC jobs demand repetition of the same motion over and over again, e.g.: drilling of a 100 holes. If we want to re-use the existing g-code pattern throughout the main program, we can use subroutines. Subroutine is basically a program block which is executed the moment it gets called from main program. Subroutine program can […]
