copyright CNCdrive.

pl 2009

CNC control panel

Instruction manual

www.CNCdrive.pl
copyright CNCdrive.pl 2009

1. Safety notes and limited responsibility

Caution! Every PC controlled machine can be potentially dangerous for human life or health. Use below rules
to work safe with Your machine.

Always use certain safety equipment (like emergency button not software dependant)

Every device must be connected to efficient electrical net, which contains safety/earth wire. Some
devices (like frequency generators) can turn off Your home current protection, because of current
flow to the ground. In this case, connecting to safety wire is essential.

use Your brain. Machine has not any!

protect Your working area against children

NEVER put Your hands or other tools close to machine while its working.

DO NOT any jobs (service or setting) while the machine is working or when the power supply is on.

USE personal safety equipment: safety glasses and equipment lowering the noise.

NEVER use gloves!

Manufacturer is not responsible for damages which are caused by device malfunction. Manufacturer
is also not responsible for third party devices and software.

2. General usage

CNC panel is designed to control maximum 6 axies of CNC machine (e.g mill or lathe). Device generates
movement signals in step/dir form. Signals are given outside as two LPT ports. It is stronfly recommended to
optoisolate these signals to prevent a damage of CNC panel. You can surely use CNCdrive’s breakout boards with
optoisolation.

3. Mechanical characteristics

Below You can find dimmension drawing of the device.

Weight of the device is approx. 10kgs. (depends of options)

copyright CNCdrive.pl 2009

4. Electrical characteristics

Property Value Notes

Main voltage supply 230VAC 50Hz use 2pcs of standard IEC cables (like for PC)
Control outputs
Port 1 12 outputs, 5 inputs
Port 2 12 outputs, 5 inputs standard config is 12 outputs and 5 inputs.
(or 4 outputs 13 inputs; More about inputs/outputs characteristics You
depends of configuration) can find at SmoothStepper manual
www.warp9td.com
Maximum steping frequency 4MHz for 6 axies
Power requirement max. 500W depends of configuration and options

5. Hardware specification

Below You can find typical hardware configuration. Changes will be updated here if needed.

Motherboard: ITX mini, 170x170mm

Processor Intel ATOM 1,5GHz

RAM memory 1GB@800MHz

Hard drive 32GB SSD SATAII

PSU ATX micro 370W

Touch panel TFT 15”, resistance

SmoothStepper motion controller

Pokeys55-T keyboard emulator

Encoder JOG (100ppr)

Buttons set (depends of options)

4x port USB 2.0

Metal case painted, black

6. Inputs/outputs configuration

On demand, Mach3 software can be configured to work with any breakout board or both stepper and servo dirve.
Ports and pins configuration should be done for concrete breakout board/drive.

7. Software

Below You can find standard software installed on the device. Specification can be changed, depends upon
version.
OS: Windows XP SP2 Home PL
Artsoft Mach3
Ultimate Mach Screen (depends upon version)

Device NOT contains any CAD/CAM software. This device cannot be used as CAD/CAM software workstation.

8. Device description

8.1 Touch panel

Device is equipped with flat touch panel, which can provide quick and easy interaction with user. Touch panel
reacts with pushing. You can use supplied scriber, or just use Your finger. Do not use any sharp tools to not
damage touch area.

8.2 Control elements

On the below picture You can find interface description and its meaning.
 copyright CNCdrive.pl 2009

FRO Przyciski sterujące

funkcjami monitora

Jog Step/Mode
Przycisk
awaryjnego
zatrzymania
maszyny (E-Stop)
Jog Axis Select

Spindle On/Off Reset

Flood On/Off
Spindle On/Off
Jog Encoder
Spindle On/Off
1. E-Stop
This button is designed for emergency purposes. Pushing this button will effect with ‘Reset’ button press
in Mach3. To unpress this button, turn it to CW direction. To unlock machine movement You need also to push
‘reset’ button on the panel (4) or touch ‘reset’ on the touch screen.
Caution! This E-Stop button is software dependant. It means that You need separate hardware E-Stop
button built in machine.

2. Start
This button starts executing of G-Code (if any loaded). Same function as ‘Start’ button on touch screen.

3. Stop
This button stops executing of G-Code. Second meaning of this button is that Z axis will move up to
programmed position. Normally it is set to move Z axis to machine’s Z=0 in global coordinate system.
Same function as ‘Stop’ button on touch screen.

4. Reset
This button activates and deactivates ‘reset’ switch in software. Same function as ’reset’ button on touch
screen.

4. Jog Axis select

With this rotary switch You can set actual axis, that will move while Jog wheel (9) rotating. In 4th
possition it disables Jog wheel opration.

5. Jog Step/Mode
With this rotary switch You can set mode of Jog Wheel. Availible modes are Continous and Multistep. In
multistep mode there are three resolutions availible (in standard setting 0,5, 0,05 and 0,01mm for one increment,
can be changed in software)

6. FRO – Feedrate Override

With this potentiometer You can change FeedRate speed. Range of FRO is normally set to 5%-210%
(base speed is set in G-Code by F code). You can adjust Your cutting speed even if G-Code is already running.

7. Spindle On/Of
With this button You can turn spindle rotation On and Off.

8. Flood On/Off
With this button You can turn Flood On and Off.

9. Jog Encoder
 copyright CNCdrive.pl 2009

Rotational encoder. With this wheel You can move one axis (set with Jog Axis select rotary switch). you
can accurate set the material offset. Turn it CW to move axis in ++ direction or CCW to move axis to -- direction.
Enkoder obrotowy. SłuŜy do poruszania daną osią (wybraną przy pomocy Jog Axis Select).

10. TFT panel’s control button. Learn more from TFT panel manual.

8.3 Connectors

On the below picture You can see connectors located on the rear side of the CNC panel.

Nameplate

Monitor’s
power
connector

Port 1

Port 2 4xUSB 2.0 typ A

1. Ports
Port 1 and Port 2 are connected directly to motion controler SmoothStepper. It is strongly recommended
to optoisolate these input/output signals (e.g by using CNCdrive breakout board). Connector type is B-
Sub25 female. Used connector type is identical with normal PC’s LPT port, so connecting CNC panel to
existing system is very easy. Use standard printer cable (DB25 male <-> Centronics36) to connect the
panel with Your machine.
2. TFT panel power connector
Use standard IEC cable to power TFT panel.
3. USB ports.
On the rear side of CNC panel You can find 4pcs of USB 2.0 ports. They are fully functional USB ports.
You can use them for e.g. mass storage memory connecting. If You are using CNCdrive breakout
board(s), there is a need to use one (or two) USB ports to power up optocouplers in breakout board(s).
4. Nameplate
Contains basic infos about device.

9. Handling

9.1 Turning device’s power On and Off

The device will boot up automaticaly after power supply is connected. In standard ther eis BIOS option set, to run
device up, after voltage loss. This option ensures run device without any swich (e.g when the power supplies of
CNc panel are common with machine’s On/Off switch). If needed, you can turn Off device, by setting power switch
to ‘0’ possition (located on the PC PSU at the rear of device, see picture)
To switch the device Off, You must properly clode operating system first. To do this, go to ‘Main Manu’
on the touch screen, and touch ‘Shut down’ button. Then accept system shutting.
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PC power PC On/Off
connector switch
(IEC)

You can also switch On and Off TFT panel, by pressing ‘Power’ button located on the TFT panel (front).

9.2 Working with device

Except controls built in CNC panel (like switches, encoder, potentiometer), working with device is Mach3 software
knowledge. Because of many functions built in software, this manual will not cover Mach3 user guide. You show
have basic knowledge of G-Code and Mach3 operation.
More about Mach3 (User guide) You can find at www.machsupport.com.

10. Maintenance

To clean up the device You can use only soft cloth, with some mild detergent. While cleaning, the device must be
switched Off, and the power cord must be unplugged. Do not use any agressive chemicals or solvent to prevent
TFT panel damage.

For more informations contact us at:

info@cncdrive.com
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www.CNCdrive.com