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, moisture, grease etc..

For plasma CNC machine we recommend using Mk3 controller for its Ethernet support. Ethernet protocol is more robust than USB and therefore more suitable for industrious environments.

Plasma cutter is a great source of electromagnetic interference. So special care should be taken into account when wiring machine electronics.
Be sure to use shielded cables for motors, limit switches. External power supply for motion controller is very recommended. Plasma cutters itself sometimes do not satisfy standards of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), so make sure that your plasma cutter is within EMC regulations.

Special approach should be considered when designing toolpath program for plasma CNC machines. The reason for this is when plasma ignites and arc pierces trough material, this leaves a mark on material. So your work-piece could be well off from specified dimensions. For this purpose toolpath should include lead in and lead out moves. User should also pay attention to ignition delays, pierce heights etc..
You can use special CAM software intended exclusively for plasma cutting. SheetCAM software offers wide range of plasma toolpath options and it is very user friendly. PlanetCNC post processor is available.

Heat emitted from plasma could deform workpiece material, usually metal sheet, in such case plasma cutter would not cut at constant height which could result as a faulty workpiece or could damage plasma cutter in the process. This is usually solved with THC device. THC stands for Torch Height Control.

THC device measures arc voltage. Bigger the distance between the plasma torch and material higher the voltage and vice versa. So based on the voltage value we can maintain constant height of plasma torch above the material. THC device sends control signals to motion controller which then dynamically compensates Z axis and thus maintains constant cutting height.

Parameters related to THC are located in: File/Settings/Control/THC

Axis:
Select Machine axis that would perform THC compensation moves. Usually this is Z axis

Dec Pin:
Select decrease input pin of controller. Pin is located at Input header. This pin will receive compensation signal for axis movement in negative direction.
Inc Pin:
Select increase input pin of controller. Pin is located at Input header. This pin will receive compensation signal for axis movement in positive direction.
OK Pin:
Select OK Arc input pin of controllers. Pin is located at Input header.
Range Min:
Minimal height compensation value oppose to relative Z0.
Range Max:
Maximal height compensation value oppose to relative Z0.
Speed:
Speed is step/cycle time. This should be set by testing, try finding value that suits your machine. Recommended values are from 1-10.

PlanetCNC TNG software uses dedicated g-code to enable and disable THC device. G-code M54 P1 enables THC, M54 P0 disables it.

M3 (turn plasma on)
G04 P.2 (delay for 0.2 seconds)
M54 P1 (turn THC on)
G01 X10 Y10
M54 P0 (turn THC off)
M5 (turn plasma off)

The post Plasma CNC and THC with PlanetCNC TNG appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 enclosure by unscrewing two screws at the bottom side of control box and two screws at the back panel:

4. Throw JP-382C board into the trash bin:

5. Take MK3DRV controller and 3D printed pillars:

3D printed parts are available here: PlanetCNC Mk3DRV pillars and back panel

6. Attach and screw them to Mk3DRV controller:

7. At the back panel place controller into existing cutout hole and screw it:

Screw in also pillars at the bottom side of control box:

8. Take cable sets for x,y,z motors that we previously disconnected from JP-382C board:

And cut off the connectors:

Each motor cable set should have 4 wires, 2 wires of one colour and other 2 in different colour.
Each colour represents separate phase of stepper motor.

9. Connect motor cable wires for X,Y and Z axis to Mk3DRV motor output terminals MOTOR 1(X), MOTOR 2(Y) and MOTOR 3 (Z). Motor phase 1 wires (yellow wires) are connected to terminals 1A and 1B, motor phase 2(red wires) is connected to terminals 2A and 2B.

10. Locate power supply cable and cut off its connector.
Connect power supply cable wires to Mk3DRV power supply terminal 24V. Red wire should be connected to “+” terminal and black should be connected to “–“ terminal:

11. Locate E-Stop switch cable and cut off its connector.
Connect it to Mk3DRVs GND and eSTP terminals:

Now you can use your control box with PlanetCNC TNG software and your CNC machine.

PLEASE NOTE: MK3DRV can be used only with PlanetCNC TNG software version SW2017.10.30(or newer), if you will use older version for update such as SW 2017.10.20 beta you could bridge it.

The post Replacing Chinese JP-382C board with genuine PlanetCNC MK3DRV controller appeared first on Planet CNC.

User can add custom features to PlanetCNC TNG software. Examples of such are various frequently used machining programs, various measuring procedures or any other machine motion sequences that help user with workpiece or machine setup before starting machining process.

Custom feature programs are accessible trough Machine/User Defined menu:

In order that program appears as User Defined menu item, further steps need to be performed:

1.) Access your PlanetCNC  install folder and locate Profiles folder. Open desired profile folder and locate folder Scripts.

2.) In Scripts folder create new file and name it: UD6.gcode

Make sure that name of the file includes UDn text. n stands for order number of user defined file. Since there are already 5 pre-existing user defined files (UD1-UD5), our newly created file will have order number 6. File should be saved as .gcode file.

3.) We will write most basic custom feature g-code.
Open newly created file UD6.gcode with text editor.
Write following text:
(name,Spindle ON, 1)
M3

This custom feature will load as g-code program in g-code window and it will turn spindle ON when you start it. It will be available under Machine/User Defined menu as Spindle ON.

If you change first line (name,Spindle ON, 1) to (name,Spindle ON, 0), notice the zero, then program will start instantly without prior loading g-code into g-code window.

4.) PlanetCNC TNG software click: Machine/User Defined -> Reload

Our Spindle ON program should be available after reloading:

User can also execute these custom features via custom buttons: Custom buttons in PlanetCNC TNG

To add any future user defined feature into PlanetCNC TNG software, please follow steps above.

The post Adding custom features in PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

License activation depends heavily on digital signatures.

Validity of digital signatures depends on trust. On some computers trusted root certificates are missing, specially on older PC’s or when auto-updates are turned off.

If you are facing problems because of this, it is essential that you install trusted root certificates.

Please download this .zip file and extract it: Certificate files
Archive includes 4 files which are certificates that you would need to install on your computer.

Please perform steps below for each of 4 certificates:

1. Double click on the certificate and click “Install Certificate”:

2. Select “Current User” and click “Next” button:

3. Select “Place all certificates in the following store” option and click “Browse”:

Make sure that “Trusted root certification Authorities” folder is selected and click “OK”:

4. Click “Finish” to import certificate:

System should confirm that importation was successful:

The post Certificate Import appeared first on Planet CNC.

With PlanetCNC TNG it is possible to control g-code program flow. For this purpose you can use o-word g-codes.

o-words are formed as blocks and can be, based on their functionality, categorized into 4 groups:

SUBROUTINE
(subroutine block)

CONDITION
(if..endif,elseif,else…block)

LOOP
(do…while, ehile..endwhile loop block)

REPEAT
(repeat…endrepeat block)

During this multipart tutorial series we will try to explain the use and behaviour of each particular O-word group.

To understand the working principles and behaviour of a different o-word block we would recommend that user first gets
familliar with the PRINT command.

PRINT command will display any text, variable or parameter value used in PlanetCNC TNG or gcode program.
It can be considered as a debug tool, trough which user can observe and diagnose execution of program.
As an output, PRINT command uses Log terminal located in : Help/Show Log

Example:

Click in MDI window any type this text:
(PRINT,Print example nr.1)

This line of code will display text: “PRINT example nr.1” at the LOG terminal:

The post Using o-words with PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

If you want to save your variable and parameter values or any other log data in a form of a file, you can use LOG command.

LOG: Writes to LOG file
LOGOPEN: Creates new LOG file.
LOGAPPEND: Adds content to previously created LOG file
LOGCLOSE: Closes LOG file

Example 1: G-code program will create LOG file where desired data will be saved.

%
(LOGOPEN,DataLOG.txt)  
(LOG,This text is saved in "DataLOG.txt" file)
(LOGCLOSE)
%

Example 2: G-code program will create two separate LOG files where data will be saved.

%
(LOGOPEN,DataLOG 1.txt)
(LOG,This text is saved in "DataLOG 1.txt" file)
(LOGCLOSE)

(LOGOPEN,DataLOG 2.txt)
(LOG,This text is saved in "DataLOG 2.txt" file)
(LOGCLOSE)

(LOGAPPEND,DataLOG 1.txt)
(LOG,This text is also saved in "DataLOG 1.txt" file)
(LOGCLOSE)

(LOGAPPEND,DataLOG 2.txt)
(LOG,This text is also saved in "DataLOG 2.txt" file)
(LOGCLOSE)

%

Created LOG files are located in current folder. User can also explicitly tell where created LOG file will be located.

The post Using LOG command with PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 be located within the same g-code program from where it gets called, or it can be standalone program file.

Subroutine o-word commands:
o-sub – Begin subroutine
o-endsub – End subroutine
o-call – Call subroutine
o-return – Exit subroutine

o-call:
Subroutine is called using o-call command.

o-sub and o-endsub:
Subroutine program block is defined with o-sub and o-endsub brackets. Everything within these brackets will be executed when related subroutine is called.

When o-endsub is encountered, program jumps back to the line where subroutine was called and continues with execution or remaining main program.

o-return :
User can achieve the same effect as o-endsub also with the use of o-return command.

Example of subroutine call:
Program below will call three subroutines from main program.
First and second subroutine will print to log window while third one will print nothing since o-return command will be used.

To observe the subroutine behavior open log window: Help/Show Log

%
(Main program)
(PRINT,Start main program)

(PRINT,Calling subroutine 1)
o100 call
(PRINT,End of subroutine 1, return to main program)

(PRINT,Calling subroutine 2)
o101 call
(PRINT,End of subroutine 2, return to main program)

(PRINT,Calling subroutine 3)
o102 call
(PRINT,Preemptive end of subroutine 3,o-return command was used)

o100 sub
(PRINT,Subroutine 1)
o100 endsub

o101 sub
(PRINT,Subroutine 2)
o101 endsub

o102 sub
o102 return
(PRINT,This should never be printed)
o102 endsub
%

Log window will display this:

User can also call external subroutine program files.
In such case, syntax is slightly different than when calling subroutines that are located withing the same g-code program.

Subroutine program file location is defined in settings: File/Settings/Program Options-> G-code folders. Insert pathway to files location:

Subroutine program file should have an filename.sub file extension.

Subroutine program file code is defined with o<filename> sub and o<filename> endsub brackets.
When o-endsub is encountered, program jumps back to the line where subroutine was called and continues with program execution. User can achieve the same effect with the use of o-Return command.

Subroutine program file is called using o<filename>call command.

Example of subroutine file call:

Create file: Sub_example.sub

Open it with text editor and write:

o<Sub_example> sub
(PRINT,Subroutine file program)
o<Sub_example> endsub

Main program will call subroutine file:

%
(PRINT, call subroutine file)
o<Sub_example> call
(PRINT,This should be printed last)
%

Program above will call external subroutine file from main program.
To observe subroutine file behavior open log terminal: Help/Show Log

Log window will display this:

The post Using o-words with PlanetCNC TNG software: Subroutines appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 statement checks if parameter #1 equals (EQ) value 10. Because condition is true, program executes print command that is included in this conditional statement. o100 if statement is ended with o100 endif.

This code will display in Log:

Example of if, else…endif conditional statement:

%
#1=10
o100 if [#1 EQ 9]
(PRINT,10 equals 9)
o100 else
(PRINT,10 does not equal 9)
o100 endif
%

Paramter #1 is assigned value 1o. o100 if statement checks if parameter #1 equals (EQ) value 9. Because condition is not true, program jumps to o100 else statement and executes print command unconditionally.

This code will display in Log:

Example of if, elseif…endif conditional statement:

%
 #1=10
 o100 if [#1 GT 20]
 (PRINT,10 is greater than 20)
 o100 elseif [#1 LT 20]
 (PRINT,10 is less than 20)
 o100 endif
 %

Paramter #1 is assigned value 1o. o100 if statement checks if parameter #1 is greater  than (GT) value 20. Because condition is not true program jumps to o100 elseif statement where its checked if parameter #1 is less then (LT) value 20. Because condition is true, program executes print command that is included in o100 elseif conditional statement. Also note how if, elseif and endif keywords use same o-word number.

This code will display in Log:

The post Using o-words with PlanetCNC TNG software: Conditional statements appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 limits in PlanetCNC TNG software

4.)How to set motion limits in PlanetCNC TNG software

5.)How to set homing procedure in PlanetCNC TNG software

6.)How to measure tool offset with fixed tool sensor in PlanetCNC TNG software

7.) How to measure work position with movable sensor in PlanetCNC TNG software

The post How to setup CNC machine in PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

This tutorial will help you create new profile in PlanetCNC TNG software.

If you have multiple CNC machines (machines of different dimensions or different types) with its corresponding controllers, and you want to use them with only one computer, it is very useful to create separate profiles, each using pre-configured settings and scripts, each for specific machine.

Using profiles makes up for much more organised and transparent file management of PlanetCNC TNG files.

Each profile will have its designated files for:

• Settings
• Keys
• Parameters
• Toolbar buttons
• Scripts
• Tool table

Create new profile

Right-click with your mouse somewhere on desktop and select New -> Shortcut

Browse location of PlanetCNC TNG.exe file and click Next:

Name your shortcut, (for purposes of this tutorial we will name it MyCNC) and click Finish:

New shortcut for PlanetCNC TNG software will appear on desktop:

Right click on newly created shortcut and click Properties. Insert name of settings  into Target window after Target path.

Please note: Name of inserted settings should be the same as name of shortcut:

Click Apply and OK.

Start PlanetCNC TNG sw via newly created shortcut.

Access your PlanetCNC install folder and locate Profiles folder. Locate  your new profile folder(in this case it is MyCNC profile folder) and open it. You will notice that software generated new native files of new profile:

Now you can add different toolbar button, custom tab  and custom feature files to each separate profile:

Adding user toolbar buttons in PlanetCNC TNG software

How to create custom tabs in PlanetCNC TNG software

Adding custom features in PlanetCNC TNG software

The post How to create new profile in PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

User can access script files for editing via settings (File/Settings/Program Options/Scripts) or directly accessing script files in Scripts folder.

Third, and probably the fastest way of accessing script files is using combination of PC keyboard keys Ctrl + Alt + Left mouse button.

All you need to do is press combination of Ctrl + Alt keys and with left mouse button click on desired program feature(this can be Program, Machine menu item or toolbar button). Script file of selected feature will open in your default text editor.

The post Accessing script files in PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 machines max speed and acceleration values, user should put his machine trough various tests. This way user will learn motion capabilities and limitations of his CNC machine.

With machine max values correctly set, user can be rest assured that his machine will perform safely within its limitations, achieving best results.

Speed and acceleration settings

As same as we cannot achieve blistering accelerations and record high speeds with a family car, we also cannot expect miracles with small desktop CNC machine.

While the main limitation of a car is usually its engine and chassis, CNC machine’s rigidness and motion capabilities base on its axis motor drives, mechanics and frame.

Machine motion consists of single motor motion(single axis movements) and combined motor motion (combined axis movements – e.g. circular motion).

User would need to obtain max speed and acceleration values for both types of working conditions, single motor motion as also combined motor motion.

Single motor speed and acceleration settings are set under:

File/Settings/Motors/Speed  & Acceleration:

Combined motor speed and acceleration settings are set under:

File/Settings/Motion → Set Maximum Speed and Max Acceleration and Deceleration:

For standard 3 axis linear CNC machines, speed and acceleration values under Motors/Speed & Acceleration and Motion/ Speed & Acceleration are are usually the same.

Machine tests

Motion tests will help with approximation of suitable max speed and acceleration values of your machine. Like mentioned earlier, you would need to perform tests for both, single as also combined motor motion of X,Y and Z axes.

Z axis motion is little more specific than XY axis motion, since Z axis usually carries spindle motor which represents constant load on the Z axis motor. With motion such as hole array drilling and PCB hole drilling we can test Z axis motion capabilities.

It is recommended that some of these tests are performed also while machine is actually cutting/machining.

When machine cuts trough material, motors need to maintain speeds and accelerations while also dealing with resistance from material. Tests performed under these conditions can affect final max speed and acceleration values.

Single axis speed and acceleration test

For this test you will move each axis independently in both directions. Start with default setting values, which are Speed = 2500 [mm/min] and Acceleration = 25[mm/s2].

You can start with X axis, then Y axis and as last Z axis.

To move each axis you can use jogging keys or you can write short g-code program which would move each axis in desired distances and directions.

Trough out the test, configure Speed and Acceleration setting values depending on the given results of each test. If results indicate that axis could handle higher values, increase them, and if motor looses steps, lower these values. Please note that any unusual noises, vibrations, machine frame movements also indicate unsuited speed and acceleration values.

Hint: While acceleration values can be configured only via settings, you can set different speeds for testing by using JOG speed window. Double click on the value and insert new one.

Note that max jog speed is limited with max motor and motion speed values from settings.

Speed and Acceleration values that will be obtained with this test should be used for all further tests.

Combined axis speed and acceleration tests

Machine will use combined axis motion to perform these tests.

Rounded Square test

For this test you will use “Round Square” user defined feature. This UD feature generates toolpath program for square with round corners. Machine will perform round corners using combined axis motion, which is perfect for our test.

This test can be compared to a car cornering on a race track. If car gets thrown out of the track when passing trough corner, then it is safe to say that car speed was too high. If your machine will loose steps or motors will stall when traveling trough round corners, then set speed was too high.

Under Machine/User Defined, locate Rounded Square option and start it:

Displayed dialog offers you to insert values for Size, Radius, Speed and Loop:

Size: Size of square sides. This value should be high enough so that machine can achieve max speed over each square side.

Radius: Equation offers you to calculate minimum radius that your machine will still be able to travel without lowering its speed, thus obtaining constant speed trough out the whole toolpath. Values for speed and acceleration (v and a) are those that we obtained with single axis test.

Speed: Max speed, speed value obtained with single axis speed and acceleration test.

Loop: Number of times machine will execute this square toolpath. Multiple executions of this toolpath program back to back can help with better observation of machine motion.

Click OK to start execution of square program and under speed dial observe if machine speed will change at any point:

If your machine performs this square toolpath with constant speed and without any problems, this indicates that your single axis max speed and acceleration values are suitable for your machine.

Mickey test

In PlanetCNC install folder locate Samples folder and open Mickey.nc file.

This g-code program uses motion which makes for a great test of combined axis motion.

Since this program does not use F-word command it would be best to set it under File/Settings/Program Options → Feed Speed (Use max speed value obtained with single axis speed and acceleration test.)

NC drill test

Hole array drilling and PCB drilling are great examples of Z axis motion where you can test your Z axis capabilities. Like mentioned earlier, Z axis motor needs to maintain position while also carrying spindle motors weight. With rapid and continuous Z axis motion, inertia can cause for Z axis motor to loose steps.

For this test, your machine should perform NC drill program file where machine drills lots of holes. Perform this test at max speed and acceleration values obtained with single axis speed and acceleration test.

In PlanetCNC install folder locate Samples folder and open Mk1.ncd file.

For Feed Speed and Plunge Speed set max speed value obtained with single axis speed and acceleration test.

If lost steps or any other motion error occurs during these tests, you would need to lower max axis motor speed and acceleration values and repeat single axis speed and acceleration tests again. Then use new max values with combined axis speed and acceleration tests.

The post How to set speed and acceleration values in PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 currently imported g-code:

You can directly edit your g-code within the “Edit” window:

With “Verify” button you verify edited g-code in case of any errors. If error is located, message is displayed with error description and number of program line that causes error:

With “Update” button edited g-code is loaded into g-code window.

The post How to use “Program Edit” feature in PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

On-screen jogging keys:

 

Default keys layout:

XY Cross layout:

PC keyboard keys:

External jogging keyboard:

First under IO tab observe which jogging keyboard keys activate which JOG input.
Then in File/Settings/User Interface/Shortcuts -> under Jog and Pin set designated jog input pins:

The post Machine jogging with PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 user manual.
Note: These settings apply to encoder connected to controller header CTRL pins: EN1A and EN1B

PPR:
Enter PPR value (parts per revolution) of your MPG encoder. Usually around 100PPR.

Reverse:
Reverses direction of jogging when MPG encoder is used for jogging.

Step Mode 0-6:

You can configure seven modes of jogging when using MPG pendant with PlanetCNC TNG. To select between modes you use MPG hardware switch(x1, x10, x100).

Each step mode can be configured either as Speed Factor or as Step Distance.
If radio button is left unchecked Speed Factor mode will be used, if you enable radio button , Step Distance mode will be used.

Speed Factor:
Encoder wheel will be translated into motion using Speed Factor value.
Inserted value is speed factor which can behave as prescaler or multiplication of MPG encoder wheel rotation.

For example, Speed Factor of value 0.1 is used when you need fine tuning of axis motion.

Step Distance:
Rotation of encoder will jog machine for distance that is set with Step Distance.

Please note:
With PlanetCNC MPG pendant hardware switch you can select only between Step Mode 1, Step Mode 2 and Step Mode 3.

So when you are using using PlanetCNC MPG pendant, configure only Step Modes 1,2 and 3.

The post Using MPG pendant with PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

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 in PlanetCNC TNG software:

The post Using jogging keyboard with PlanetCNC controllers appeared first on Planet CNC.

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:

The post Using MPG pendant with PlanetCNC controller appeared first on Planet CNC.

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).

Please note:
-ExtOut board can be used only with Mk3 controller

-ExtOut board is connected with Mk3 controller trough ExtIn board.

-ExtOut board requires external power supply, 12VDC , min. 200mA

Ext Out board:

ExtIn board:

ExtIn and ExtOut board are connected via 5wire cable(included with ExtOut board):

ExtIn board is then connected with controllers I/O EXT header via 10pin ribbon cable:

The post Using ExtOut board with PlanetCNC controller appeared first on Planet CNC.

This tutorial will help you configure ExtOut board related settings in PlanetCNC TNG software.

ExtOut board settings are located under File/Settings/Input&Output/I2C,TX,Enc,RC.

Under Ext section insert value 10000 for Frequency and enable Invert option for SEL1 Pin:

Related g-codes:

M64 – Output ExtOut

Usage: M64 H Q <L>

– H = ExtOut SSEL value (1 or 2)
– Q = data send to ExtOut
– L (optional) = number of bytes send to ExtOut

M64 H Q E <L>

– H = ExtOut SSEL value (1 or 2)
– Q = parameter number of first data location
– E = data count
– L (optional) = number of bytes send to ExtOut

M64 H P Q <L>

– H = ExtOut SSEL value (1 or 2)
– P = bit position
– Q = zero for Off, otherwise On
– L (optional) = number of bytes send to ExtOut

M64 H L0

– H = ExtOut SSEL value (1 or 2)
– L = zero bytes send to ExtOut

Examples:

In PlanetCNC TNG install folder locate and open Samples folder. Open Tutorials folder and locate files: M64ex1.txt, M64ex2.txt, M64ex3.txt, M64ex4.txt, M64ex5.txt, M64ex6.txt

These sample g-code programs describe various uses of M64 g-code and ExtOut board.

The post Using ExtOut board with PlanetCNC TNG software appeared first on Planet CNC.

You will need:
– Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (or B+)
– Monitor with HDMI cable
– Mouse and Keyboard
– Power supply
– 8GB SD card (16GB and 32GB should also work, 64GB or more will not work)

We used NOOBS version 2.8.2 in this tutorial but it should also work with newer versions.

1. Download NOOBS from here:

You will get almost 2GB large file named “NOOBS_v2_8_2.zip”

2. You need to format SD card. We suggest that you use “SD Memory Card Formatter 5.0” which you can get here:
https://www.sdcard.org/

– Download “SD Memory Card Formatter 5.0”.
– Follow the instructions to install the software.
– Insert your SD card into the computer or laptop’s SD card reader and make a note of the drive letter allocated to it, e.g.
– In SD Memory Card Formatter, select the drive letter for your SD card and format it.

3. Extract files from NOOBS zip file to SD card.

Your SD card contents should look like this:

4. When this process has finished, safely remove the SD card and insert it into your Raspberry Pi. Connect monitor, mouse and keyborad and power up Raspberry Pi.
After few moments selection dialog will appear.

Select “Raspbian (full desktop version)” and click install. Confirm overwriting SD card and wait for Raspbian to be installed. It might take a while.

Another tutorial for Raspbian installation using NOOBS is here:
https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/noobs-install

5. When installation is finished you will get nice welcome screen and Raspbian will ask you to set country, time zone and password.
You do not have to set password if you do not want it.

If connected to internet it will download and install updates. If not then skip this step.

When finished it will ask to reboot.

After reboot you are ready to install PlanetCNC TNG.

6. First we will modify “config.txt” file.
– Open terminal.

– Type “sudo nano /boot/config.txt”

– GNU nano will apear. Scroll to bottom of file and type:
gpu_mem=128
dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d

– If you have black border on your monitor then locate line “disable_overscan=1” and uncomment it.

– When done exit GNU nano by clicking Ctrl+X and confirm saving modified buffer.

7. Reboot Raspberry Pi

7. After reboot we will install PlanetCNC TNG. Create subdirectory “PlanetCNC” in your HOME directory.

8. Download or copy ‘PlanetCNCPi-TNG_(version).tar.gz’ tarball to subdirectory.

9. Extract ‘PlanetCNCPi-TNG_(version).tar.gz’ tarball with “tar -xvf PlanetCNCPi-TNG_*.tar.gz”

10. Run installation script with “sh install.sh”

If you set password then you will be asked to enter it. After instalation completes PlanetNCC TNG will start automaticaly.

11. You can close all windows. There should be PlanetCNC icon on desktop. Double click will start PlanetCNC TNG.

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