I am in Windsor, across from Detroit Mi. I've been an Electronics Technician for 30+ years now. Time flies. When I order from Mark, I'll have it shipped to a Detroit mail service, drive over and pick up the stuff. Cheaper that way. Watching this site closely.

Dave,
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that what they did with the grblShield? The Arduino Uno is the controller board and the grblShield stepper driver board sets on top. Just use the Arduino Uno to drive external driver boards. Of course you would have to make your own header connector or find a board with screw terminals.

Thanks Mark,
I will keep a eye out for the MK2. I like it when a plan comes together, just a few details to work out now.

Another source for Arduino+GRBL+stepper drive as a replacement for Arduino shiled + GRBL Shield

http://www.panucatt.com/product_p/mcnc-3az-328p.htm

They have other products also.

Gopal

Can't the tinyg power an external stepper driver? It has 4 drivers on the board, and at least 2 other outputs for external drivers. Does anyone know some compatible stepper driver options that could output more amperage to connect to the tinyg and the larger stepper motors or dual output stepper motors? even a commercial option such as a gecko?
http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g250x.html
http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g201x.html
depending if one needs 3.5 amps or 7 amps?

Yes you are correct. Difference is the TinyG engine is more powerful. The TinyG has outputs to drive other drivers, but why pay for onboard drivers your not going to use. You could buy Gecko drive like Cliff meantioned. or any other type of drive. The TinyG is a great board for the Reprap or a small 3D printer. We need drivers that handle the current to drive the OX. Another plus is when your ready or have the dollars, buy another drive for a fourth axis.

You are right, the tinyG is more powerful, I almost purchased one myself but did not want to pay for drivers I would not be using. The tinyG can drive lower current versions of Nema 23's with up to 270 oz inches of torque, but these have higher inductances causing the torque to drop off quicker as feed rate increases. This may or may not be an issue.

Thanks Mark - most of the 3D printer platforms try to keep the build stage horizontal relative to the extruder - actually it's really fascinating to watch such Delta platforms run:

http://kiestu6.com/videopage/on/0IkqWBiyBts.html

But I am looking to build a platform with six degrees of freedom. And here is a University Project that went nowhere - flightsimulator game console. No Sir. I am too old for Video games and want to find use for such work that are beneficial to people - children who are physically less fortunate than I am. This design comes pretty close to what I need....



Everman uses linear screws - after seeing your work I am leaning towards a rack and belt six axis motion with perhaps six arduino based motor controller but all synchronized through a joy stick and/or preprogrammed (by a qualified physiotherapist and a physician and a Physiscist ) SD card.

Gopal

@cliff I think you could run right out of the ardunio pinouts to any driver you like using the GND/STEP/DIR.
See more here http://bildr.org/2011/06/easydriver/[/quote]
Yes Mark you can use the Ardunio pinouts to run any driver you like.

I have a http://www.invensense.com/mems/gyro/mpu9150.html i will be using for Tool Head and Base correction.

Top chip MPU-9150 very small can go on tool head for vibration feedback & tracking.
Flight controller below to show size. Sorry about focus, it's DARK here in Scotland.

Nice to see a gimbals working.
My Multi-Wii Se 2.5 does this with an older chip set, it is designed as a flight controller.

Yes you can use two MPU-9150s with the I2C interface!

OpenBuilds.com moderator, have we gone off track on this subject?
Will you the management re-order these posts, i am a little confused.

http://www.openbuilds.com/builds/openbuilds-ox-cnc-machine.341/

I like the tip on coils, thanks.
Great video, thanks, so far!
Still watching my evening CNC movie

27:10 in use tie wrap to stop cables pulling out.

We need to look into the software issue, not always responding!

Can you repeat the test of it failing?
Can we identify the issue exactly?

Anyone else had issues with this Arduino software?
The pre installed version that is used on this video.​

Thanks much - but I feel like I am hijacking this forum with my thoughts - SORRY!

Let's look at where we go with your OX design.
I have so far ordered most of the V-rails and wheels and the build plates from the store based on your two video.
Have 6xNema23 and three Nema17 steppers.
Studying different controller boards (4axis minimum - 6axis preferred)
Tossing between GT3 or GT2 - belt-pinion combination - (thanks for the B&B Mfg. as a source)
Now avaiting your finalization on the gantry plates and at least a prem- BOM.
Gopal

What is the effective cutting area of the smaller Ox. In the table video it was said that the MDF was 17 1/2" wide and also it was mentioned that the was a 1 1/2 area on either side the bit wouldn't reach so is the cutting width about 14 1/2". When I do build mine I may have to size it up. I want to be able to fit a guitar top in there which needs to be about a 17 1/2" cutting area.

I was going to order the Mk2 as it is available in the part store but then suddenly had some doubts - does the board has driver built-in also?
What about the CNC Driver - is it only 4axis?

I am looking to use >6axis USB interface BUT with external Drivers - Please advise.
Gopal

Hi Mark

In your video Quick and Dirty Tool Mount (about 3:20), the wheels on the left look worn. Is that a distortion ? If they are worn how many times do you need to adjust / replace them? Sorry should post in Q and A

Thanks

Im getting ready to order parts for 2xOx for the bigger one, the 4 foot x 2 foot. I believe the BOM is for the smaller one. Is this correct? if true, can we get a proper Big OX BOM?

Also there still "missing" parts, will they be there soon? I really want to get started.

The board is designed for external drivers. There are no drivers on board.
Planet CMC has has.more information and videos.
http://www.planet-cnc.com/index.php?page=features
A software license comes with the board and the software is very flexible. I have not used the board before but the reviews are good. A short double shielded USB cable is highly recommended to avoid noise causing communication drop-outs. Of course I would recommend that with all USB CNC environments. Longer cables can be used if they're buffered. I have the board on order, should have it early next week and will be able to answer more questions then. In the meantime Mark maybe a better source of info.

Thank you so much! I had already made one purchase (TinyG) which I am told will not be able to drive four axis providing adequate force (torque) with the built-in H-bridges (DRV88xx) and Synthetos even advised me to return the board for a full refund. In any case, I would have had to add two more drivers.

I don't want to make the same mistake of ordering Mk-2 from Planet CNC and then find that I still have to use external drivers and disable the on-board ones. If the mk2 has no drivers and output STEP-DIRECTION-ENABLE signals, my construction would be so much better.

Since you are buying one (I have put one on my wishlist) I will wait for you to do the review if that is ok with you.

WANTED - I realize the part drawings aren't released but I want to order some material for the G10 plates. Do you have the overall dimensions that the individual parts could be cut from? Such as side plates for gantry 10" x 6".

Thanks
-david

I checked their website and they show a Mk3 board which is specified as supporting 9 axes and "uses dual core ARM processor". Mk2 on the other hand seems to have only 4axes. Are these true. I looked at the schematic which also shows 4 sets of step/dir outout from a PIC chip. PLEASE HELP!

Thanks, Mark. I was, not surprisingly, confused by the block sketch (didn't read the description below that, duh!)

But it looks like MK2 has only 4 axes support but claim that the new MK3 has 9axes!