The price combination is much higher than the USB controller with planet-cnc, but will work with Mach3.
Second, if you have a laptop, or really want to use the USB as the main interface for controlling the machine, you will need to get the smoothstepper board which works with mach3. If you have a laptop/notebook computer, this will not be possible. There are two main alternatives if you want to use the mach3 software: First, get a parallel port card and add it to your computer and get a parallel breakout board.
The planet-cnc software delivers instructions to the microcontroller on the board and the microcontroller will send out the pulse trains needed to move the machine correctly. This software is well made and will provide great functionality. The USB controller will only work with the Planet-CNC software. I am using input z- and I purchased the software
The instructions on how to use a plate for z-axis homing (moveable sensor) can be found here: Ĭlick the link to add information to this solution: How do I get Homing on Z to work with Plate and Ground using Buildyourcnc usb board all the entries for the sensor in planet-cnc are grayed out. Answer: Just received information from the developer. I have gone to planet website and followed the instructions provided but my software will not allow entries in the required fields they are grayed out is it because I am not using planet-cnc's board, I have used this method for years with Mach3 and would like to use it with the usb board and software. To setup homing for the Planet-CNC homing and limits, go to the Planet-CNC Machine setup page which explains the process step by step: Customer Response: How do I get homing on z to work with planet cnc software using build your own usb board. Alternatively, the end mill can be connected to the pin and the plate connected to GND as long as there becomes a complete circuit when the end mill touches the plate. You can use the autoset to setup that pin in Mach3 simply by touching the two together once connected to the pin and GND.
Connect the plate (solder a wire to the plate) to one of the input pins. To home the z-axis using a plate: - Connect the end mill using a large clamping device like an alligator clip with a wire connected to GND.