Assembly step 15

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Contents

1 Software

1.1 CAD/CAM

1.2 GRBL

1.2.1 Downloading GRBL

1.3 Sender

1.3.1 Windows

1.3.1.1 Downloading

1.3.1.2 Installation and configuration

1.3.1.3 Usage

1.3.1.4 Verifying Settings

1.3.2 Mac

1.3.3 Linux

Software

CAD/CAM

It is outside the scope of the general build instructions to give a step by step tutorial on how to use a CAD/CAM package. We will cover that in a separate document. For now, we want to verify that your machine is assembled correctly and is operating as expected.

GRBL

Grbl is a free, open source, high performance CNC milling controller written in optimized C that will run on an Arduino. (source: GRBL wiki)

While many DIY CNC machines rely on LinuxCNC (aka EMC2) or Mach3 these approaches require you to dedicate a PC to controlling your CNC machine. GRBL on the other hand runs on an Arduino which provides a much simpler and more compact solution.

Downloading GRBL

The link below will allow you to download a pre-compiled hex file with default Shapeoko Values. These values are based on a few assumptions:

200 step/rev stepper motors

8x microstepping on the X and Y axis

2x microstepping on the Z axis

MXL belting (.08" pitch)

18 tooth MXL pulleys on the X and Y axis

8mm threaded rod (1.25mm pitch) on the Z axis.

Download the hex files here: File:Grbl08 basic.txt

Grbl 0.8a
'$' to dump current settings
$0 = 43.74 (steps/mm x)
$1 = 43.74 (steps/mm y)
$2 = 320.00 (steps/mm z)
$3 = 30 (microseconds step pulse)
$4 = 500.00 (mm/min default feed rate)
$5 = 500.00 (mm/min default seek rate)
$6 = 0.10 (mm/arc segment)
$7 = 28 (step port invert mask. binary = 00011100)
$8 = 25.00 (acceleration in mm/sec^2)
$9 = 0.05 (cornering junction deviation in mm)

Sender

Windows

GcodeSender by Otto Hermansson is a simple to use application that we'll use to send our first G-code program to the Shapeoko. Gcode Sender will take a G-code program and send it line-by-line to the Arduino. You can also execute individual commands to test your setup. Install GcodeSender on your PC to prepare for your first job.

Gcode Sender for Windows by Otto Hermansson

Downloading

Download from github.
gcode sender by Otto Hermansson

Installation and configuration

Save the .EXE somewhere you'll be able to find it. I like to keep things nice and neat, so I saved it to c:\Program Files\G-code_sender\gcodesender.exe

Usage

Connecting

Plug in your Arduino before launching GcodeSender or you'll get an error that GcodeSender can't find a com port.

Select your COM port from the pulldown menu.

Click 'Open' to establish a connection with the Arduino.

If you press the reset button on your arduino after you've opened the port, grbl will spit back it's version number.

GRBL says hi!

Verifying Settings

Note: If you received an arduino as part of your kit from inventables, your settings will be pre-loaded. These default settings are meant to get your Shapeoko up and running.

After you have verified the machine is working, you can start tweeking the settings to adjust for performance.

Type '$' into the text box at the top of the program's window, followed by the enter key.

After pressing enter, [grbl] will spit back it's current settings.

For right now, we don't need to know what each of those mean, we just need to make sure they're set correctly.

The image below shows the correct default settings for a Shapeoko with the following Characteristics:

200 steps / revolution stepper motors with 8x microstepping on the X and Y axis

200 steps / revolution stepper motor with 2x microstepping on the Z axis

18 tooth MXL timing pulleys on the X and Y axis

mxl belting

GRBL default settings

(If your settings do not match what is shown in the image above, click here)

Testing

Note: GRBL returns lines ending with \r\n. Other programs might return lines ending with \n\r.

X-Axis

In the 'Command' box, type 'X5' to move the head 5mm in the x-axis. If all goes well, your x-axis will move 5mm to the right!

Type X0 - your x-axis should move back to where it started before entering the previous command.

Type X-10 - your x-axis should move to the left 10mm

Y-Axis

Type Y10 - your gantry should move away from you (toward the back)

Type Y0 - your gantry should come back towards you (toward the front)

Type Y-10 - your gantry should move 10mm towards you (toward the front)

Z-Axis

Type Z10 - your gantry should move UP 10mm.

Type Z0 - your gantry should move back down 10mm

Type Z-10 - your z-axis should move down 10mm

(note: if any of your axis moved in the wrong direction, [click here])

Sending G-code

Click "Browse" to load your G-code.

Click "Print" to send the G-code

Mac

Universal-G-Code-Sender by Will Winder can be used. After installing the usage instructions are the same as the Windows program.

Linux

To talk to the Shapeoko directly, you can use a serial terminal program such as cutecom or minicom.

The serial-over-USB port to the Arduino appears generally as /dev/ttyACM0

Configure it for 9600 baud, no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit.
Setting either LF or CR/LF as the line terminator both seem to work fine.

I connected the motor wires in the following order on
the GRBLShield connectors Red, Blue, Green, Black.
This is from left to right, looking at the shield with
the motor connectors towards you. This assumes that Red and
blue are connected to one coil and Green and Black to the
other coil (which is generally the case with NEMA steppers).

With this setup, I had to invert the X and Z channels by
software. To do so, enter $7=160 in the serial terminal.
Your mileage may vary.

The inversion variable $7 has one inversion bit for each axis
with X=32, Y=64, and Z=128. Setting $7 to 160 (32+128)
will invert the X and Z axis. This configuration is stored
in the flash memory of the Arduino, hence you only need
to do this once.

Alternatively, Universal-G-Code-Sender by Will Winder can also be used. After installing the usage instructions are the same as the Windows program.

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01 - V-wheel

02 - Smooth Idler

03 - Y-Axis Idle

04 - Y-Axis Motor

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This page was last modified on 14 September 2012, at 08:57.

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