Purchased a 2417 CNC machine to have a play around. Seems OK, though quite a big learning curve.
This is to list things that I work out and start to document.
The machine has a lazeraxe control module on it. It came with GRBL 0.8 which is quite behind (currently 1.1 as of this writing). However, I flashed it with the latest version, and then lost control of the axis! A quick frantic google later and I found the .hex code for the old 0.8 version – put it back and phew – it was back alive. I used Eagle to create my first CNC circuit, started to print it, and broke the bit about 1 minute into etching the board. I let it continue, but not the best. I then went googling, and read about autolevelling software. To use this, it looks like you need 0.9g or later of the firmware. Also, in my googling, I found a Github site (https://github.com/1wise) where Henri had create a newer version of the firmware for the board). Compiled this and away we go (so it would appear).
To get the probe function, I will be using PIN 5 of the Nano and ground and do some testing.
As for the G-code sending application – I started off with GRBL Controller, then moved to Candle. I am now looking at bCNC as this has auto-levelling software in it. I might also look at Candle as there is a newer version for >1 GRBL firmware.
Commands that I have worked out
G0 – Fast moving commands
G1 – Slow moving commands
To set the spindle speed: “Sx” where x is a speed, ie “S10000”
To set the feed rate, add a F parameter after the G0 or G1 command, ie “G01 F500”. I sometimes needed to set the feedrate if the controller reset and I couldn’t use the jog controls any longer.
After you set the 0 points, to return to this location, use the commands
“G0 Z0”
“G0 X0 Y0”
This raises/lowers the Z axis to the 0 position, then moves the head back to 0,0