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Gantry square procedure with PlanetCNC
Many machines use two lead/ball screws or rack and pinion rods per machine axis. In most cases, the Y axis. Rods can be driven with one motor or two. One motor usually drives both rods using a timing belt, which also helps with synchronization. But you can also drive each rod with its separate motor. […]
CNC machine semaphore application, using expressions (Expr.txt) – Part 3
At this step of the process we pretty much defined everything needed for semaphore application and we can begin writing the program. Diagram of program First we will illustrate simple program diagram(flowchart). Diagram is very helpful, because it visually illustrates the program flow(in this case state machine) which we can use as a reference when […]
CNC machine semaphore application, using expressions (Expr.txt) – Part 2
What is a State Machine and how it is used? If you google State machine, this would be the average result more or less: “A state machine is a behaviour model. It consists of a finite number of states and is therefore also called finite-state machine (FSM). Based on the current state and a given […]
CNC machine semaphore application, using expressions (Expr.txt) – Part 1
For this multi-part tutorial we will create CNC machine semaphore(signal tower lamp). We hope that this tutorial will serve as a good example on how to set application goals and requirements as also on how to define the tools and solutions for achieving them, while using powerful tools and flexibility of PlanetCNC motion control system. […]
Plasma CNC and THC (torch height control) with PlanetCNC
Plasma CNC cutting machine is one of the most commonly used types of CNC machine. It’s used mostly for cutting Steel, aluminium and other conductive materials. Like any other type of CNC machine, plasma machine has it own specifics. Machine should be properly designed for such type of machining, considering slag, steel dust, high temperatures, […]
Using ExtOut board with PlanetCNC controller
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). […]
Using jogging keyboard with PlanetCNC controllers
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 […]
Replacing Chinese JP-382C board with genuine PlanetCNC MK3DRV controller
1. Take your control box and remove all screws of the top cover: Now remove top cover of control box: 2. Locate JP-382C board and disconnect connectors of cable sets for X, Y and Z axis motor outputs, power supply and E-Stop switch. They should not be hard to find: 3. Remove JP-382C board from […]
Plasma CNC and floating Z axis with PlanetCNC
Sometimes we need to modify our CNC machine in order to achieve our machining goals as quickly and as efficiently as possible. CNC machines such as plasma, plotter cutters, lasers need mechanism that helps with measuring of material surface. Good example of such modification is Floating Z axis. The concept is pretty straight forward: Z axis has […]
Spindle synchronisation with PlanetCNC TNG
CNC lathe thread cutting requires spindle RPM’s to be synchronised with machines linear movement, we call this spindle synchronisation. To achieve this, controller needs to read feedback signal from machines spindle to obtain information at which RPM spindle rotates. For this purpose we can use incremental (with quadrature A and B signals ) encoder or […]
Using Adapter for 16 pin header with PlanetCNC controllers
If you need to connect your external electrical equipment such as sensors, switches, buttons, encoders with controller using single wires, you can use adapter for 16pin header. Adapter pinout when connected to CTRL header of Mk3 controller: Adapter pinout when connected to JOG header of Mk3 controller: Adapter pinout when connected to LIMIT header of […]
Using Adapter for 10 pin header with PlanetCNC controllers
If you need to connect your external electrical equipment such as sensors, switches, buttons, encoders with controller using single wires, you can use adapter for 10pin header. Adapter pinout when connected to AUX header of Mk3 controller: Adapter pinout when connected to AXIS header of Mk3 controller: Adapter pinout when connected to INPUT header of […]
