A look at a cheap Chinese standalone CNC controller. Search "offline CNC controller" on Aliexpress, Banggood or Ebay. Update : some documentation here : chinaplccenter....
Using this to run my 6040. Haven't a clue about most of the functions (learnt something from your video too), but all the necessary ones are easy to use and set-up. Simply set the zero, open the code, hit play. Absolutely love it.
If I had to guess the M when you push shift is for machine absolute position, and without it is the work offset position. Like on my mill the machine zero is at the axis end stops, but g54 (or g55 etc) is the work piece zero. Also the g54, 55 etc are so you can have different work offsets, so say you want to make 2 or more parts on different spots on your table without much difficulty, you can set up the parts, set the zero in g54 on one part, zero in g55 on the next one, and so on, then make your code run once on one offset, then again on the next offset, etc (just one of many ways to do it). Basically you can have multiple zero positions set at the same time, and go back and fourth between them. Another use for it is set up g54 on the part, and g55 at some other known position that wont change so you can go back to that spot if you break a tool and need to re set the tool offset after the part is already cut, and the original zero position is gone.
M button is for entering M codes , i would suggest. keypad has G and M for codes XYZA for axis F & S for feed and spindle speed the editor is letting you write gcode so that would make sense
Multiple G54's are useful if you have more than one part on the table that you are working on so you can have local coordinates for each one, so for instance x1 z1 is in the same position relative to each part.
Pressing Shift probably gives you the native machine coordinates (M) vs the relative coordinates from the origin you set. Machine coordinates will start at 0,0,0 when you turn it on (regardless of where the actual spindle is) until you do a homing procedure.
@ 20:45, the 'M' might stand for machine co-ordinates... insomuch as there are always two sets of co-ords on any CNC machine. Where the machine actually is, and where the machine is in relation to the workpiece zero (you might have used offsets). Mach 3 does that in a much more intuitive way. When will China realise that selling items without instruction manuals does them nothing but harm?
The "controller" you are looking at on ebay @28:20 does indeed include drivers for 3-5 axis (Toshiba TB6560). It is a variation over the infamous Chinese TB6560 driver lineup. It looks like this iteration includes an "offline controller". Several places on the internet an earlier adaptation is known as the blue board of death. The bad reputation is mainly due to extremly poor PCB implementation/ component selection and greatly exagerated specs.These boards need quite some TLC even before first Powerup, but it's not impossible. Mine has served me toublefree for 4 years. Not someething to recommend for the faint-hearted. It is hard however to beat the price point. Non controller version around 35$ 3 axis.
What the screw terminal boards are for, is so that you don't have to disconnect every single wire if you need to replace the whole unit, or take it out for some reason. Makes servicing, etc... a bit easier :D (Your wires should be marked in the first place, but still, it's handy to have)
when i power up the machine after turning it off the night before it forgets the coordinates that its at and assumes im back on zero. how do i get it to remember where it is? please help
The current firmware does not support slave axis configuration and separate home switch for slaved axis. Lack of this feature pretty much eliminates this controller for large moving gantry router builds. Other missing features: -no tool library -no backlash compensation -no manual spindle on/off/speed override
Not seen facility for macros or MDI I do agree it looks good for the money chances are the modbus is on serial 232 and not RS485 - probably more like RS422, i think mach4 uses something similar where you send the commands as register data over serial instead of the industrial RS485 current loop
Compared to Mach3, what is missing in this unit to be able to control a 4 axis CNC machine? Disregard the HMI, only control wise (missing G-codes etc).
Hey Mike, one question can x and y have different steps per mm. I bought the DDCSV1.1 and got it all set up but had issues with arcs being off... Turns out even tho the controller has a separate setting for steps per mm for x and y, they must be equal. I didn't know this and was fighting with Gcode and settings finally found out X and Y must be the same steps per mm... my set up has different steps on X v.s Y due to Y using a rack and pinion v.s ball screw. So the DDCSV will not work for me. I see this control has the same ability to put in different steps per mm for different axis same as the DDcsv but does it still calculate it correctly. I don't want to buy this one and have the same problem.
The feed rate override sounds like a bit of a pain - because it jumps between new rates/stepper frequencies rather than accel/decelling smoothly, surely there's a chance (albeit unlucky) your steppers may miss steps? Wouldn't like to try using this when first setting up a CNC, trying to find best velocity / accel settings... that said, even Mach 3 is a bit of a pain - you go into a menu item to pull up the axis speed stuff, then have to OK out of it to actually try moving the axes, then back up to the menu to tweak etc. Do the axis buttons still move the axes while velocity/accel settings screen is up? That'd be handy.
Hi Mike...let's say you were doing some engraving and power go out can it resume where it was cause I have tried to find something and I didn't find anything concerning that
Are you still using the SMC or did you switch to the other one featured in your video. Also, any idea how to set the probe-plate thickness in the SMC unit?
Hi Mike, how did you go with the DSP controller? Just about to embarked to buy a CNC with same DSP panel that's build-in. There's bugger all info on them.
thanks for the video. I bought one, but I have a problem in deciphering some menu commands. I need to fix the probe function, enter work coordinates automatically.. do I need to enter them manually every time? the spindle lower frequency is never 0, what is the aim for coordinate menu...thanks a lot
Nice video. Useful 'real world' use info. Got one coming from ebay, wanted to get some info before it arrived and found your youtube video. Thanks..;-)
Hey Mike, I'm Implementing the same controller with a Gecko G540. Did you use a breakout board with buffering between the controller and the drivers? Regards,
cool, very good.... one question and it is possible to score points and then make the 2D cut without using a program or PC. example of work at the controller itself
Kedves Codesan, van egy kétértelmű, (hiba) információt, mert azt mondta: "mindkét végén földelni". Ez rossz. Kell földelt a pajzs csak egy végpont, és hagyja mentes föld minden más. (Kivéve a jel-föld a vezérlő.)
Sorry to be late into this Excellent review, just found it. Re: the “M” button, that would be to code and/or execute an “M” function (“Miscellaneous Function”) in your “G” code, an additional function, which is not “G” code and hence not controlling the tool path, but able to be inserted, and function at a point in the toolpath. Common ones are M03, M04 and M05 to control the spindle on/off clockwise/anticlockwise. (Used internally in this little box). Also Coolant on/off or misting on/off. Both would be possible on the same machine with the correct hardware fitted, pumps, nozzles etc and they would then be controlled with “M” codes. Also communicating to an automatic tool changer, where “G” code may have to take the tool away to the side of the machine, issue an “M” code for the correct tool, and on confirmation, the tool path would be resumed. I expect that these functions (Apart from M03 etc) are output on those extra digital outputs. I have one of each CNC but have not yet had time to implement them. Keep the good work up. Regards, Dai.
Mach3 has 2 coordinate systems, 1 for machine and 1 for work (after jogging). I assume the M coordinates are the absolute zero on limit switches. Shame it has no toolpath display.
I have been looking into these cheap cnc controllers for a while now. I am looking for an offline controller than has a lathe spindle tach input for threading operations without having to use a pc. Does such a beast exist?
Mike: I realize this is an old video. I am contemplating getting one of these for a project. Anything against it? Also what are you using to generate the gcode?
Tanks for share. After see you explanation im decide buy one, you use any postprocessor for this or native file.TAP im use vcarve for the path. Any sugestion software. Anyway tanks apreciate
Recently, I purchased one these 6090 CNC with the same type of DSP system built in. It is a very convenient way to run g codes but just noticed that it does not response to all the g-codes. For example, no G12/G13 or no G20/G21. I called China and learned that this is a metric system only. Means, I have to convert all my drawing measurements to millimeter. Very inconvenience. Finding more about the machine every day. It would have been helpful if they had posted the g code shortfalls somewhere in their website.
Don't know why anyone would use the commie metric system anyway, but these controllers don't know or care which one you are using. If you set your machine up so that one unit equals one millimeter of movement, then you now have a "metric" controller, and vice versa.
How did you go with this controller Mike, I bought one and it refuses to cut circles, it attempts the circle but ends up with 2 flat sides and radius on either end.
Is the "Shift Key" not changing the coordinates from imperial to metric and back. If you input, for example "Y1.0" and then hit "Shift", will it display "Y25.4" with the "M" at the right side of the display?
Hello, I have purchased this controller, but I don't understand how to do homing procedure. When all axis go to zero they activate limits, the RESET light flashes and the cnc doesn't move anymore. I think when all axis reach limit sensors, they should turn back to deactivate limit. How to do that? Thank you so much
That "Chordlength" setting is the major downfall of these Shaoge controllers. You will find that you can't set it small enough to cut a true round circle. Listen to your motors when cutting an arc. You'll see that rather than transitioning smoothly through the speed range, you will hear them stepping through preset RPM levels, almost like musical notes. That is far from being their only issue. There is a lot to like about them as well, but they are not a finished work, and there is zero support available for them.
Hello, I need to know how to use the 'axis ''A'' as a slave axis 'Y'' because my machine has two motors for a single shift. In the spreed information manual says nothing about it, can you help me?
Thanks for posting. I was on the fence about this controller. There are just too many quirky things with this kit that I just can't get past. The micro sd it a huge turn off and the not updating of the line it's on is a problem for me. I'm an old school CNC machinist and it's like working blindfolded. I'm gonna stick with mach3 and pass on this and wait for a better revision.
You could use an Arduino Uno and a Stepper Shield + A4988 driver (up to 2 amps). Or an Arduino Uno + TB6560 drivers for Motors up to 3 amps. Both Ways you need to flash "grbl" to your Arduino. Instructions therefore can be found here: github.com/grbl/grbl/wiki . For transmitting data from your computer to the Arduino just plug in the usb-cable and start "Universal-G-Code-Sender" and then you're ready to mill ;)
Go into the main menu "Machine" Then go to KeyIO then set your pins for the "output" breakout board. Im setting one up now but cant get the homing to work.
6:18 What's the point of the optoisolators when there is no gap between the two sides? There are signal traces running between the legs... That allows the arc to flash over...
+Leonelf As Mike stated its more about noise vs. potential isolation. In a control system, usually all the sensors/switches use a shielded twisted pair thats grounded at both ends and opto-isolators/galvanic isolation to prevent this. But when your signals share a common ground plane with the power supply, and there happens to be a high impedance in the systems earthing between structures, hum and other nastiness can manifest on your signal pair. Lookup balanced versus unbalanced audio signaling and ground loops for some more explanations of this phenomenon.
china loves micro sd cards. I havent seen a single chinese item that uses sd cards (except for the obvious stuff). They dont even have a name for them, they just call micro sd cards "tf cards" (transflash).
You can use cheap LCD controllers with a smoothie btw: smoothieware.org/panel Like the reprap.org/wiki/RepRapDiscount_Full_Graphic_Smart_Controller those are cheap from china. I use that combo on my 3d printer.
The website for the operator's manual has been closed. If you're interested in a downloadable pdf file of the manual, here is a link: purelogic.ru/files/downloads/doc/Controller/smc4-4_purelogic.pdf
