MegaV Controller information? (pinouts, etc)

[wolfspyre]

Howdy all!

Still haven't managed to TALK to my controller yet, but I'm getting further along. 

The 
millright-megav-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

guide **REALLY** aught to get some more love, **AND MORE SUPPORT/investment**
It was **WAY** **MORE** **HELPFUL** to me than **ANYTHING ELSE** on y'alls site.


What I'm wondering is:

- What is the board that's driving?
- Where is the docs for the aforementioned board on connections etc?? this seems woefully absent everywhere.

- Is there a trigger output / signal that I can use to turn on the makita/dewalt router automagically?  

[bLouChip]

The stock MR Mega V controller board is an Arduino mega2560. store.arduino.cc/products/arduino-mega-2560-rev3?_gl=1*in7xq1*_ga*OTQxNzI0OTI1LjE2NDk2ODcxNDI.*_ga_NEXN8H46L5*MTY0OTY4NzE0Mi4xLjEuMTY0OTY4NzE0OC4w

The board is running grbl 1.1i or later, customized by MR for rotary axis enablement.  grbl config, commands, and gcode stmts are documented here:

github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Configuration#grbl-settings

github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Commands

linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gcode.html

The "trigger" signal that can be used to turn ON/OFF  any cutting device is SPEN (Spindle Enable). You can connect to it via the MR logo'd custom breakout board which sits atop the Arduino board, its the 6th terminal top down on the right; circled in red in this pic: drive.google.com/file/d/1L1omiHglupmkuplogq7bLZskMGqpGCYW/view?usp=sharing

The signal is +5vDC high when ON, 0V when OFF, 50ma max output.  gcode stmt M3 or M4 turn it ON, M5 turns it OFF.  Caution: The behavior of M3 and M4 is altered relative to XY movement when grbl is configured in Laser Mode, grbl config $32=1.  Read about laser mode here: github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Laser-Mode

In the case of using this signal with a router which is 120VAC, you'll need a relay or TTL signal switchable IoT type power strip. openbuildspartstore.com/iot-switching-relay-power-strip/

Also, using any signal to turn on a jet or rotary device will require a gcode delay stmt after the M3 or M4 in order to allow the device to "spin up" to speed before moving XYZ. The gcode delay command is G04, but look it up for correct use, it also is coded with a time value argument.

Hope this helps,

Cheers

Lou

[stevew]

After one of life's unexpected interruptions, I am back to my MegaV XL build after a 3+ years hiatus.   I have been unable to get the Mega XL controller to interface with the IoT Relay (https://amzn.to/35MF1KG).   My controller board appears different from bLouChip's, but I don't have the plasma, laser or 4th Axis options.   

On my controller board, I see SPDR (Spindle Drive?) instead of SPEN.   I connected GND and SPDR to - and + terminals of IoT Relay.   Picture: share.icloud.com/photos/041MIzLdy_q5wown-T1cyRGwg


Several observations:

- if MegaV control box is powered off but connected to my laptop via USB cable.   Powering on the laptop causes the IoT Relay to toggle on and then off.   I assume this is because my laptop is powering the Arduino board and attached breakout board, even though the MegaV control box is powered off and that the GrbL 1.1 code running on Arduino is toggling the SPDR output during it boot up sequence.   Is this a "feature"?   

- With MegaV control box powered on and connected to UGS running on laptop, the M3 command has no effect.  M4 will drive SPDR output high and toggle IoT Relay to on state.    Lastly the M5 command has no effect.   Once you run M4 command only way to toggle IoT Relay off is to reboot MegaV controller.

Not sure where to go from here.   The pin next to SPDR output is labeled PWM, but since I am controlling the default Dewalt Router, there is no need for PWM output.   Has anybody successfully got this working and can enlighten me on my mistake(s)?    Thank you.

[MillRightWes]

The boards are getting power from the USB cord instead of the box power supply. You will be able to connect to the boards without powering the box. Helps troubleshoot if other electronics are interfering with the communication.

Try using the coolant (COOL) port instead. That is a 5v on/off port. M7, M8, M9 should be the on/off commands for that. I believe that Spdr might be the directional commands for the spindle, CW CCW, although I am not 100%. Spindle on/off commands and RMP is handled by the PWM port. It is a 0-5v. Voltage corresponds to RMP s value. You can use the PWM port for an IOT, but you will need to give it an S command equal to the max RPM grbl setting value ($30) for the full 5v. M3 and M5 will control the PWM port.

[stevew]

So COOL worked for me, although M7 reports it is an unsupported code. But M8 turns on the relay and M9 turns it off. Did not try PWM output suggestion. Thank you.