CNC USB Controller Mk2

User manual

2018-9-1
Disclaimer

CONTROLLER AND CONTROLLER SOFTWARE ARE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS," WITHOUT
WARRANTY. THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE CONTROLLER AND CONTROLLER SOFTWARE,
EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT
OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE
CONTROLLER OR CONTROLLER SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE CONTROLLER OR
CONTROLLER SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY
SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY
GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR
INABILITY TO USE THE CONTROLLER OR CONTROLLER SOFTWARE.
1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

The PlanetCNC series of USB CNC motion controllers is link between a personal
computer and motor drivers supporting step/direction control. PlanetCNC series of
motion controllers are compatible with most motor drivers. The controllers use the USB
port, available on all modern computers and laptops. They can serve as direct
replacement or upgrade for many parallel port break-out boards.

PlanetCNC controllers provide a complete, fully integrated software/hardware solution.

Additional machine control software is NOT required. The USB CNC Controller
software is a dedicated application, designed to fully exploit the features of the purpose-
built hardware. It has many advanced features to assist day-to-day CNC machine
operation.
1.2 Features and specifications:

• USB (V2.x) from PC/Laptop running Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 (32 bit or 64bit)
• motor driver connector pin-out is compatible with 10 pin open source interface (Linistepper,
PICStep)
• controller works with most step/dir stepper and servo motor drivers available on the market
• buffered IO for maximum performance
• advanced interpolation algorithms
• start, stop, pause and resume execution of program on your machine
• standard RS274/NGC G-code (EMC2 and LinuxCNC compatible)
• advanced G-codes - G40, G41, G42 (Cutter Radius Compensation) supported
• advanced G-codes - G43, G49 (Tool Length Offsets) supported
• advanced G-codes - G54, G59.3 (Coordinate System Origins) supported
• tested with SolidCAM, MasterCAM, ArtCAM, Vectric, CamBam, MeshCAM ... generated G-
code
• Profili 4-axes and 3-axes G-code supported
• import toolpath from DXF files
• import toolpath from PLT/HPGL files
• import toolpath from image files
• import toolpath from NC-Drill (Excellon) files
• import toolpath from Gerber (RS-274X) files
• toolpath simulation
• automatic homing procedure
• advanced toolchange procedures
• automatic tool length measuring
• export toolpath to G-code
• export toolpath to DXF
• SDK (software developers kit) is available
• works on MacOS with virtual machine emulating Windows

Mk2 - 9 axes USB CNC controller

• 9 axes controller for stepper and servo motors

• USB connection
• 100 kHz maximum step frequency
• 12 us minimum pulse width, 50% duty cycle at higher frequencies
• 7 digital outputs on board
• jogging keyboard support
• 8 limit switches with shift feature
• 5 inputs
• MPG pendant support(3-axis)
• spindle encoder and index signal support for spindle synchronization
• SD card support for running g-code without computer
• control external devices with I2C and UART protocol

• homing procedure
 tool change procedure
• tool length sensor support
• sensor for capturing and measuring
• digitizing probe support
• transformation matrix
• soft limits
• slave axes
• backlash compensation
• API

1.3 System Requirements

Minimum system requirements:
• 1 GHz or faster processor
• 512MB RAM
• 500 MB available hard disk space
• Graphics with OpenGL support
• USB 2.0 port
• .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

Recommended system requirements:

• 2 GHz or faster processor
• 2GB RAM
• 500 MB available hard disk space
• Graphics with OpenGL support
• USB 2.0 port
• .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
5
2 Hardware

2.1 Installation

Installation of PlanetCNC CNC USB Controller requires a USB equipped PC or laptop along with
motor drivers appropriate to the motors in use. The USB CNC controller is compatible with the vast
majority of motor drivers that use step/direction signals.

Optional support hardware can be employed to customize installation to suit user requirement. Use
of a screw terminal adapter makes connection to the type of drive in the image much easier. A DB25
adapter is available, for motor drivers requiring this form of input, with male or female DB25 connector.

For maximum flexibility in controller layout, a ribbon cable and plug kit is available. This aids
the construction of longer cables and ensures plug-in connections correspond to the USB CNC
Controller pin outs.

IMPORTANT:
The controller should be powered with an external power supply.
Mk2 - 9 Axis controller hardware requires 24V DC supply.
Power supply should be at least 200mA.
2.2 Mk2 - 9 axis CNC USB controller
description

7
2.2.1 Mk2 AXIS connector

Each connector controls one motor driver. Controller has 9 connectors for axes 1-9. In total
this means 9 axes which all can be moved at same time.

Axes are usually named like this: Axis 1=X, Axis 2=Y, Axis 3=Z...
On some machines this can be different. For example foam cutter uses names such as Axis 1=A,
Axis 2=Y, Axis 3=U, Axis 4=V. Lathes use Axis 1=Z, Axis 2=X. Configuration of axes, as well as their
naming can be set in File/Settings/Axes.
CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTION:

+5V: +5V power. Motor drivers can take power for logic circuit or common anode
connection from the USB controller.

STEP(Mark:XP、YP、ZP.......): Provides a STEP signal of minimum 12 us pulse width to the

motor driver.

DIR(Mark:XD、YD、ZD.......):Provides DIR or DIRECTION signal to the motor driver.

2.2.3 Mk2 JOG connector

Switched operation of JOG 1-8 controls manual jogging.

Jogging keyboards can use a ‘SHIFT’ key, allowing Mk2 controller users to jog additional axes or
toggle the option of jog ‘step’ mode. ‘SHIFT’ key function is defined in settings, as is the ‘step’ value
for each key press.
Jogging directions and axis assignment can be defined in 'settings'.

CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTION:

A typical use might be as below:

PIN 1: GND.
PIN 2: E-STOP.
PIN 3: Pause.
PIN 4: Start.
PIN 5: NO use.
PIN 6: Jog Axis 4 in negative direction.
PIN7: Jog Axis 4 in positive direction.
PIN8: Jog Axis 3 in negative direction.
PIN9: Jog Axis 3 in positive direction.
PIN10: Jog Axis 2 in negative direction.
PIN11: Jog Axis 2 in positive direction.
PIN 12: Jog Axis 1 in positive direction.
PIN 13: Jog Axis 1 in negative direction.
PIN 14: NO use.
PIN 15: +5V.

2.2.4 Mk2 LIMIT connector

LIMIT 1-8 connects limit switches. It’s recommended that a 100nF capacitor is
connected directly across switch terminals.
The 'SHIFT' key toggles limit options using one of two possible configurations. The
chosen configuration determines hardware connections.

Limit switches can be connected in 'Normal' method or 'Single input' method. In software, you can set
this in File/Settings/Limit. If you are using 'Normal' method, 'Single Input' feature must be disabled.

To pause all axes, if certain axes limit switch has been activated, you enable 'Lock Other Axes'.

NORMAL: Each switch is connected to its own pin.

Lx+: Axis 1 positive limit.

Lx-: Axis 1 negative limit.

Ly+: Axis 2 positive limit.

Ly- : Axis 2 negative limit.

Lz+ : Axis 3 positive limit.

Lz- : Axis 3 negative limit.

La+ 7: Axis 4 positive limit.

La- : Axis 4 negative limit.

12V: Sensor’s positive power.

0V: Sensor’s negative power (GND).

NOTE: If 'normally open' (NO) type switches are used, wiring must be done in
parallel method, if 'normally closed' (NC) type switches are used, wiring must be
done in serial method.

Software 'Invert' options allow use of ‘normally closed’ or ‘normally open’ switch
hardware. This feature can be set in File/Settings/Limit/Invert
2.2.5 Mk2 MPG connector

This connector provides inputs for use of MPG pendant devices.

GND pins provide ‘Ground’ or common connections.

CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTION:

PIN 1: 5V.
PIN 2: GND.
PIN 3: NC.
PIN 4: Encoder-A.
PIN 5: Encoder-B.
PIN 6: X axis select.
PIN7: Yaxis select.
PIN8: Z axis select.
PIN9: NC.
PIN10: NC.
PIN11: NC.
PIN 12: X1 select.
PIN 13: X10 select.
PIN 14: X100 select.
PIN 15: NC.

2.2.6 Mk2 INPUT connector

This connector provides input for user-assigned functions.

CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTION:

INPUT1: Start
INPUT2: Pause
INPUT3: Tool
INPUT4: Stop
INPUT5: E-Stop
GND: Ground connections
2.2.7 Mk2 OUTPUT connector

This connector provides 6 digital outputs for control of external devices.

The optional ‘Output board’ links to the Mk2 controller using this connector.
Output assignment is controlled in software.

CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTION:

OUT 1 -6: Digital Output

OUT 7: PWM out for inventer

12V: 12V supply.

2.2.10 Mk2 USB connector

The Mk2 USB CNC controller connects to computer via the USB port. The port uses the
USB 2.x standard.

2.2.11 Mk2 Power terminal

The controller should be powered with an external power supply.

Mk2 - 9 Axis controller hardware requires 24V DC supply
Power supply should be at least 200mA
2.2.12 Mk2 LED indicators

The user is provided with helpful feedback and live ‘status’ information via on-board LED indicators.

There are four indicators.

Power: Lights when the controller is powered.

USB Conn: Lights when controller is connected to a USB Port
USB Up: Lights when USB signal is ‘good’.
Status: Blinks to indicate controller function is ‘good’.

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