USB to CNC Project

By Bob Adams
5/31/11
USB to CNC motion controller connects between personal computer and drivers for stepper motors.
It uses the USB port available on most newer computers and laptops.
The idea for this project is to hook up to two CNC machines from one control box with two cables.
Using a DB25 cable that has a Male and Female end.
The Male end plugs into the DB25 on the drive and the other end plugs into adapter on the control box.
The Male DB9 cable plugs into the DB9 on the control box.
The other end is wired to a screw terminal strip mounted on the machines backside.
Home Limit Switches, Spindle Relay and Tool Length Sensor wires are in DB9 cable.
Its a kit built and comes with the stepper motors.

X2 before CNC, this is the Stepper Motor Drive used for my XYZA.

DB25 Cable plugs into the drive and the other end plugs into the DB25 adapter.

DB25 Adapter for the USB CNC Controller mounts in the control box cover.

Planet CNC PCB board

Jumpers from the Adapter are plugged into Motors 4 to 1.
Only 9 pins used to hookup for Step, Direction and GND.
Motor4 = A Motor3 = Z Motor2 = Y Motor1 = X

Things to know
1. Limits switches are wired Normally Open (NO).
2. GND (COM) can be connected together.
3. I used 3 home limit switches and the Spindle on (M03) off (M05).
4. I used the (Z-) Limit5 for the Tool Length Control.
5. Color code for DB9 wiring was for the DB9 cable I used.
6. Half of a DB9 Cable Male end.
7. The Box I used was from.
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=15883+BX

Connections

DB9 cable wiring

Easy Control Box Wiring

Control Box Cover

Box Cover Wiring

Jumpers are used for quick wiring and changes.

This is the Planet - CNC Control Software

Cost using Zen Toolworks Machine!

Cost for the X2 was Zero!
I already had motors and drivers.
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7x7x2 CNC Machine with Stepper Motors $329

3 Axis Motor Drive $90
Spindle Motor comes with Mount $70
Spindle Power Supply with Speed Control $50
USB CNC Controller + Software $200
Driver Power Supply $35
Adapter Parts $15

Total Cost for a complete CNC system

$789 + shipping costs
CNC Machine from: http://www.zentoolworks.com/
USB CNC Control Software from: http://www.planet-cnc.com/
Get a printable PDF for this project here: http://www.cad2gcode.com/cncprojects

Watch a Video
http://www.planet-cnc.com/cnc_3axes/