CNC conversion project

Controllers Smoothie
1

As I stated in my summery. I would like to convert my home built, Mach3 powered CNC machine to a smoothie board powered machine. There are a few reasons I would like to do this. The main reason is to remove the host computer from the equation. My machine is powered by four 2.5 amp bipolar. 2 motors on my X, one each on Y and Z. I use Vcarve pro by Vetric to produce G-code for Mach3. I would like to get a good handle on set up and functionality of the board before I buy it.
I took a look through the Wiki page for this board and I think with some help I can get this board to work with my machine. I put a list of steps together of what I understand so far, and a list of some of my questions.

  1. After I purchase the board I need to flash it with a CNC version of the firmware.
  2. Set up 24 and 5 volt power supply.
  3. Connect and set up my motor drivers and motors.
  4. Connect, Full Graphic Smart LCD Controller
  5. Run G-code using a SD card

Questions.

  1. What does it take to connect the Full Graphic Smart LCD Controller to the board? Is Smart controller plug and play?
  2. What are the functions on the smart controller for example can I jog my machine, stop and start my G-code cycle… and so forth?
  3. The Smoothie and Smart Controller both have SD slots witch one controls the machine with G-code?
  4. What can I do with the end stops? Are the end stops just limit switches or can they me set to specific datum point when the machine is started?
  5. If I were to set up a connected computer can I send a file directly to the SD card, then run the machine from the SD card?
  6. What post processor does this board use?

Its been my experience as a non engineer: that setting up electronics like this can be very frustrating. There is always some issue that cant be solved just by reading articles on the internet. I’m bound to encounter problems setting up this board. Other than posting in this forum. Is there any expert with this board that can help me with specific questions?

Please keep in mind in just a old carpenter taking a bunch off the shelf stuff and making machines. You don’t have to dumb down your answers to much but I’m defiantly a hammer and nail guy not a slide rule guy. By the way I know no one uses a slide ruler any more.

Imported from wikidot

2

Hi,
If you have already the router and is working, i would suggest you to buy a different controller if you want to get rid of the host and all the problems included……
I did the same with mine, and I chose a cheap but powerful one from china, is the DDCSV 1.1 cnc controller
Just google it, you can find it at a really good price, and is working great!
Not because smoothieboard is less, this is just a dedicated controller with 32 bit cpu and fpga, good screen, fast and clean step pulse. Very easy to setup.
It works perfectly with the G code generated by VCarve and other programs.
Just have a look before you decide, is well documented.
I am very happy with this controller, and all the people who bought it are.
Cheers

3

That looks good solution. Thanks for response.

I did find them available on Ebay and some other sites. I just couldn’t find much documentation it. Would you tell me where you found your documentation?

4

If you can provide me an email address i will send you all, and some pictures of my setup, so you can have an idea
regards

5

That would be very helpful and much appreciated.

I looked in to it more after my last response to you. I managed to find a manual on line. I decided to buy one from a U.S. E-bay seller. I should have one in hand in about a week.

Chris Trumbull
pencarr@outlook….

PS I haven’t lost interest in the smoothie board. I just want to get my CNC machine upgraded a little. After that I have a great interest in building a 3D printer.

6

That is the good way to do the things,
personally i think that Smoothieboard is a great board for the printers, My printers are all equipped with Smoothie and i do not change them for others.
Regards
Emanuel

7

Do you build and design your own 3D printers?

8

Yes, i do, the last one is a Hipercube (tesseract) delta with magnetic arms, Smoothieboard powered of course, very nice printer, fast and accurate, will send you some pictures, the frame is amazing!

9

Hi Emanuel,
I am using Vectric Aspire. What post Processor did you use with VCarve? Thank you