Comments on: Grbl (Arduino G-Code Processor) – Pin Layout

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 09:02:40 +0000

Nice video, GRBL is not designed for those kind of driver. IT works with stepper drivers with step,direction pins.

By: kapil

kapil — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:09:13 +0000

I have arduino nano with ULN 2003 (For hardware refer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLQajSRnELc) I wanted to make laser engraver for me. How can I modify gbrl code for my requirement.Thank you

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 22:47:31 +0000

Hi. If the steppers are moving it would indicate that the enable pin is working. Not sure what you setup is like, but it sounds like an mechanical issue. Using two motors on one axis could also cause this if they are not totally synced.

By: Huzefa

Huzefa — Tue, 26 May 2015 17:37:45 +0000

I have made an X-Y plotter using grbl flashed in Uno.I have connected the motor pins with step and direction and have kept the enable pin open.My plotter doesn’t draw straight vertical or horizontal lines other than that it works perfectly.Is this problem coz of the enable pin?If Yes,what should I connect with the enable pin?

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 03:07:40 +0000

Hi Ed. There is an option to compile GRBL on the Mega if you go to the config file. You are right about the Due not being the perfect fit… A bit of a shame but that’s life. I don’t want to say anything yet, but I would suggest you subscribe to my mailing list as I will be making some announcements soon… http://eepurl.com/DIq-z

By: Ed Andrews

Ed Andrews — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:38:34 +0000

I am planning on using GRBL to convert a mini-mill to CNC by connecting external NEMA 23 Stepper drivers through a breakout board to the Arduino running GRBL. I’ve standardized on using the MEGA 2560 and DUE for other projects and would prefer to use one of these.

1. I presume the DUE is not GRBL compatible as it has no EEPROM.

2. Can the MEGA run the basic GRBL code set without mods?

Other thoughts…I thought I would build a DUE with a small LCD screen into a front end as a manual simple operator control panel that would drive the MEGA serial port (just like a PC would) I want to include a few basic milling functions as part of the panel. Also,It would be fairly easy to iinclude an SD memory card reader to eliminate the need for a PC to drive the system. You throughs?

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 08:29:28 +0000

HI, Just discovered although I changed the enable to 1 I didn’t press return to save it. Thanks for your advice.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 08:21:37 +0000

Have you enabled hard limits from the GRBL settings menu? Without it the pins are not enabled… same with homing.

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 07:30:58 +0000

I have built a cnc drilling machine which works well using your pages as a guide, but this morning I decided to add the travel limit micro switches. Earthing pins 9 to 11 makes no difference. Does anything else have to fitted or a setting changed?

By: Gailen Jensen

Gailen Jensen — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 04:54:52 +0000

Success! I connected one of my RC plane Lipo batteries and the motors turn.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 05:22:03 +0000

Enable needs to be grounded to work. Sleep and Reset needs to be connected to enable it. Have a look at this link: https://www.pololu.com/product/1182

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 05:16:49 +0000

Yes. a normal small 9v rechargeable battery provides only about 200mAh. One of these stepper drivers could take up to 2’000mA.

By: Gailen

Gailen — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 05:09:51 +0000

Even with the sleep and reset jumped? What should the enable level be, high or low?

By: Gailen

Gailen — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 05:07:37 +0000

Could it be something as simple as the 9v battery not having the amps to drive it?

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 04:58:01 +0000

okay, the best way to debug this is to use a multimeter. Start by testing the power supply. Be sure to always have the steppers connected tot he drive before powering up. test if the enable pin is the correct level. Test it the direction pin is not floating(Needs to be 0v or 5v). Next start pulsing the stepper pin on and off.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 04:52:43 +0000

Hi. This works with the Duemilanove as well. The DRV8825’s will work but I recommend that you add heat sinks as they do run very hot. The boars with the CH340G work fine.

By: Gailen Jensen

Gailen Jensen — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 03:15:44 +0000

No good luck so far. I can’t get it to do anything. The motors don’t hum, buzz or move. I’ve downloaded grbl 9 and flashed it, I’ve downloaded your library and nothing.Do you know of any way to test the individual pieces? I even used a breadboard for the drivers and nothing.

By: Aymen

Aymen — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 23:19:36 +0000

Does this work with Arduino Uno only or does it work with Arduino Duemilanove and other boards?

I am looking to use Arduino with three DRV8825 drivers along with GRBL and Universal GCode Sender. Would this work?

I have also seen some clone boards with CH340G USB to Serial chips, would this code work with these boards as well?

Thanks very much.

By: Bertus Kruger

Bertus Kruger — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:32:38 +0000

Great stuff… Good luck.

By: Gailen

Gailen — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:09:19 +0000

Thanks Bertus. for both answers, XY & enable. I need to go back and review the sketch. I’m sure there’s more questions to come.