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Planet CNC-USB Controller/Software Questions?

Discussion in 'Planet CNC USB Controller Card' started by kram242, Sep 30, 2010.

  1. 66tbird

    66tbird Moderator Staff Member

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    Great, the latest version fixed that restart issue. Now, is the a way to change to color of a material? Not a big deal really, just kind of cool.
     
  2. theothers

    theothers Administrator Staff Member

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    John,

    Yes, you can change the color of your material. Go to file, settings, materials, add a material, then you can pick under where it says kind and you have the choice between unknown which is what we use for fan fold, it's like a see through blue, wood, plastic, aluminum, steel, foam, and other. As far as going in and modifying custom colors, we don't see the option for that.

    Hope this helps :)

    Thanks,

    Mark and Trish
     
  3. 66tbird

    66tbird Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks, My 'unknown' is a little blue-ish. I had tried these options prior, it's just that your video seemed much more blue from my recollection.
     
  4. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    I guess you phlat guys want custom colors for materials?
    Perhaps even image on material so that airplane design painted on foam can be visible and used to position your machine?
     
  5. 66tbird

    66tbird Moderator Staff Member

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    It's not a big deal from my point of view. It was just something I noticed while exploring the software. From a software usage view what is there is just fine.
     
  6. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    Does this board also require a stepper driver board?
     
  7. kyyu

    kyyu Active Member

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    Yes, you still need a stepper driver board. Basically the usb board will replace your parallel port. And it only works with their usb controller software.
     
  8. foamlvr

    foamlvr Member

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    To update to latest controller software, do I have to uninstall old version. Do I ''run'' or ''save''?
     
  9. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    You do not have to uninstall the software.
    Download the software update and install it.
    The new version of the software will overwrite the old version.

    The only thing that will not be overwritten is the settings file.
    It is always a good idea to make a backup copy of your settings file.

    Hope this helps.
    GHB :D
     
  10. foamlvr

    foamlvr Member

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    Yep easy enough. I also had to update firmware. I was quite happy to see my settings still there.
     
  11. GasPipe

    GasPipe New Member

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    After having my PP for a while I have gotten most of the bugs worked out and it runs like a champ. Relays hooked up for spindle and vac, that is sweet :good:

    I am using the planet CNC USB board and the software that was with it to interface to my computer.

    I want one setting for tool/foam change, as the YZ gantry needs to be raised for bit or material change, and one setting as the work zero to start cutting.

    However, when I set any of them they all set to the same place as zero, even the one I just set moments before, and not just the one I want to set there.

    I hope that makes sense :twitch: much easier to see than explain. :fugly:


    Thanks for any help you may offer!!!
     
  12. foamlvr

    foamlvr Member

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    Are you saying, that when you set Z to zero, X and Y also zero out ?
     
  13. GasPipe

    GasPipe New Member

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    Ha ha, I knew this may be hard to explain. :D

    On the left hand side of the controller software there is a series of buttons:

    Set Zero
    Set Park 1
    Set Park 2
    Set G28
    Set G30


    Go To Zero
    Go To Park1
    Go To Park2
    Go To G28
    Go To G30


    It seems like I should be able to set a different machine position for each button, then press the "Go To" button and the machine will line up as I want it to.

    However when I set the Zero it works just fine, until I try to set Park 1 to a position where I can change bits or foam. When I go to set the Park 1 position it sets the machine values to Zero on all axis, so it thinks that is the Zero.



    Thanks!
     
  14. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    Get new beta version. Offsets were redesigned and toolbat has different buttons.
    There are also powerful toolchange features.
    I think what you want in toolchange is:
    -Tool Change Position - From Park1
    -ZAxis first
    -ZAxis only
    -Pause
    -Auto Return
    -Auto Compensate
    -Use Default Tool

    ToolChange can be executed in menu Machine/Tools/Change

    Hard to explain so experiment a little.
     
  15. matt_o_70

    matt_o_70 Member

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    Andrej,
    I am still in the build process for my PP but I did order the planet-CNC USB board with my kit from Mark and Trish. Since I already had uniploar steppers for my project I went with the Probotix ProBoStep for my motor drivers. When ordering the ProBostep drivers I discovered that Probotix have their own flavor - the PBX-USB controller board. The PBX-USB looks like same board but with addition of screw terminals to the board.

    I have not compared the pin outs yet... but I assume that I can use your planet-CNC USB controller board with the ProBoStep drivers as long as I make the proper connections?

    can't wait to get this all up and cutting..
     
  16. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    Hi

    Sorry for little late reply.

    Yes you can use Probotix drivers. Pinout is little different so you have to make custom wiring.
    Here is how you can make cable: http://www.planet-cnc.com/extra/probotix_cable/

    (Please doublecheck because I'm not sure connector on this image is oriented correctly)

    Best regards
    Andrej
     
  17. 7up

    7up Moderator Staff Member

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    Andrej, earlier today I hooked my MK2 9 axis USB CNC controller up to my computer and imput the lic. code and did a firmware update and everything so far seems fine except I think that the software is bogging my computer down.

    My situation is that I see very poorly so I keep the Windows Magnifier turned on constantly and the madnifier is set up to follow my mouse movement, which is almost instant while running all other programs, but when running CNC USB software and I pull down a menu and move from one selection to another, I have to wait 3-4 seconds for the magnifier to catch up.

    I am running WinXP Pro SP3, Nvidia graphics w/512mb and my whole system is up to date on all drivers. Even top end flight sims play good with my magnifier on. Any suggestions? :questions:
     
  18. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    For start I suggest using last beta version. There are some settings that might help.

    If your settings are in inches then set:
    - tab General, Display/Display Resolution = 0.2
    - tab General, Display/Display Segments= 6
    - tab Misc, Interpolation = 0.06

    These settings will decrease number of graphic elements on 3D display which could cause slow down.

    I just tried magnifier and runs fine on my machine.

    Best regards
    Andrej
     
  19. matt_o_70

    matt_o_70 Member

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    I powered up the USB board and updated the FW. Thanks for the link to the cable - it worked just fine as shown.

    I have things wired up and am looking to get the motors moving.. at first I had no movement due to the speed settings and needing to invert the output for my driver boards. I played around with those and managed to get my motor to turn in Counter clock wise direction only. I have unipolar motors connected to the probotix boards. I did use your diagram for the IDC connector wiring - thanks.

    When I put a multimeter onto the direction pin I can observe the voltage go from High to low when jogging between directions.

    I noticed that when the motor has been stepped CCW that the motor shaft is held in place from the coil braking as expected. But as soon as I attempt to move the motor CW there is no motion and the motor is now able to turn by hand (no coil braking effect).

    At this point I don't know what could be causing this problem? this is true on all 3 axis.

    I have the planet CNC-USB board powered by USB. I am powering the steppers with a 24V 6.5A switching supply. I am wondering when is it necessary to provide the external 5V power to the CNC-USB board? Is there enough power for it and the Probotix steppers when powered by USB cable?

    UPDATE - All my problems were solved by powering the CNC-USB board with the 5V External power source, and jumpering the board for this.
     
  20. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Thank you for the update Matt, glad to see you got it working
    Mark and Trish
     
  21. matt_o_70

    matt_o_70 Member

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    Guys I am trying to set up soft limits. I have defined the travel as desired.. but I don't seem to get any limiting. I can jog past the desired limit. I am expecting the software to stop at the predefined travel? what might I be missing? The indicators do change colors when I breech the limits I have defined. Is anyone using this feature?

    At first I could not get to the soft limit check boxes as they were greyed out. Then I discovered that I could check them with the machine not connected and the software open.

    I have checked the boxes for Y and Z axis. I am assuming that this would prevent these axis from accidentially over jogging beyond the set points and simulate having actual mechanical limit switches? Attached files [​IMG]
     

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