Various troubles with CNC

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

I am making a completely homemade CNC and have hit a few snags... Hardware for the project is:
Arduino Uno
4 Nema 23 4.0A stepper motor (dual y-axis motors) (Amazon.com)
4 TB6600 stepper motor drivers (Amazon.com)
24V 15A power supply (Amazon.com)

Software:
GRBL
UGS

I have the pulse+ wired to pins 2,3,4,&12 and the Dir+ pins to 5,6,7,&13. From the stepper motors I have black to A+, Green to A-, Red to B+, and blue to B-.

My problems are:

  1. I cannot figure out how to enable dual stepper driver controls for the y-axis.
  2. When I try to set up the machine using UGS, I am only able to move the steppers in the '+' direction. I get no response when I click Z-, Y-. or X-.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2

There are lots of similar posts about steppers only going one way.
It usually involves a pair of the wires being in the wrong place or a bad connection.
Using colours to describe a connect is not the best method as pre-bought wires with the connectors can also be placed wrongly. See here

To CLONE another driver more often than not you can simply double up the wires so that EN etc. simply go to the same pin as the driver you wish to clone. Like a "Y" connection.

GRBL will then command both the "Y" drivers the same as they would a single driver.
There are other methods of controlling two drivers but I tend to stick with the easiest as some require a better knowledge of GRBL.

Also see below.

Please take a few moments to Learn and Use the Forum.

Hello, Welcome to the Arduino Forum. This guide explains how to get the best out of this forum. Please read and follow the instructions below. Being new here you might think this is having rules for the sake of rules, but that is not the case. If you don’t follow the guidelines all that happens is there is a long exchange of posts while we try to get you to tell us what we need in order to help you, which is frustrating for you and frustrating for us. The people who try to help with your project.

It will help you get the very best out of the forum in the future.

  • Mention if you are using AI generated code it is important information.
  • Your OS and version can be valuable information, please include it along with extra security you are using. Antivirus etc.
  • Always list the version of the IDE you are using and the board version if applicable.
  • Use quote or CODE tags to add error messages as an attachment NOT a picture.
  • How to insert an image into your post. ( Thanks sterretje )
  • Add your sketch where applicable but please use CODE TAGS
  • Add a SCHEMATIC were needed even if it is hand drawn.
  • Add working links to any specific hardware as needed (NOT links to similar items)
  • Duplicate accounts are NOT allowed and any extra may be deleted.
  • Remember that the people trying to help cannot see your problem so give as much information as you can.

COMMON ISSUES

  • Ensure you have FULLY inserted the USB cables.
  • Check you have a COMMON GROUND where required. ( Thanks Perry)
  • Where possible use USB 2.0 ports or a USB 2.0 POWERED HUB to rule out USB 3.0 issues.
  • Try other computers where possible.
  • Try other USB leads where possible.
  • You may not have the correct driver installed. CH340/341 or CP2102 or FT232 VCP Drivers - FTDI
  • There may be a problem with the board check or remove your wiring first.
  • Remove any items connected to pins 0 and 1.

COMPUTER RELATED

  • Close any other serial programs before opening the IDE.
  • Ensure you turn off any additional security / antivirus just to test.
  • There may be a problem with the PC try RESTARTING it.
  • You may be selecting the wrong COM port.
  • Avoid cloud/network based installations where possible OR ensure your Network/Cloud software is RUNNING.
  • Clear your browsers CACHE.
  • Close the IDE before using any other serial programs.
  • Preferably install IDE’s as ADMINISTRATOR or your OS equivalent

ARDUINO SPECIFIC BOARDS

  • CH340/341 based clones do not report useful information to the “get board info” button.
  • NANO (Old Types) some require you to use the OLD BOOTLOADER option.
  • NANO (ALL Types) See the specific sections lower in the forum.
  • NANO (NEW Types) Install your board CORE’s.
  • Unless using EXTERNAL PROGRAMMERS please leave the IDE selection at default “AVRISP mkII”.
  • Boards using a MICRO USB connector need a cable that is both DATA and CHARGE. Many are CHARGE ONLY.

CREATE editor install locations.

  • On macOs ~/Applications/ArduinoCreateAgent-1.1/ArduinoCreateAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/config.ini
  • On Linux ~/ArduinoCreateAgent-1.1/config.ini
  • On Windows C:\Users[your user]\AppData\Roaming\ArduinoCreateAgent-1.1

Performing the above actions may help resolve your problem without further help.

Language problem ?

Try a language closer to your native language:

Thanks to all those who helped and added to this list.

3

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.