Loading GRBL on Arduino Mega or Uno

December 21, 2019 by

There are a couple methods to load or install GRBL on an Arduino Mega or Uno. The most common method (which is described in the GRBL Wiki) is to use the Arduino IDE by copying the GRBL files, loading a sketch, then finally uploading. A far easier method is to use XLoader, pick the file, and click upload. This method is also in the GRBL Wiki but it is buried on the page and seems to be discouraged, plus the link to XLoader is broken.

Downloads:

Here is the XLoader interface. Select the .hex file by clicking on the button with the dots, pick either the Mega or Uno device, select the COM port, and click Upload.
XLoader

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GRBL PWM Inverter Circuit

May 25, 2019 by

Here is another quick circuit – this time a GRBL PWM inverter circuit showing how to invert a PWM circuit with only three components. This works great to invert the PWM signal out of GRBL to driver a laser.

PWM Inverter Circuit

PWM Inverter Circuit

As a use example, PWM_In would come from the Spindle Speed output of a GRBLDuino CNC controller and be inverted on PWM`_Out to drive a laser with inverted logic requirements.

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GRBLDuino User Group Forum!

January 19, 2019 by

A new forum as been set up at Forum.EccentricWorkshop.com as a home for GRBLDuino users. This is a place to get help, ask questions, suggest features and improvements, share your machine builds, and share projects.

The GRBLDuino Forum, specifically, will now be the official support channel to allow all users to benefit from the conversations.

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GRBL Relay Driver Circuit

November 23, 2018 by

Here is a quick relay driver circuit showing how to drive a relay from a microcontroller – specifically, one of my GRBLDuino products.

 

Microcontroller Relay Driver Circuit

Microcontroller Relay Driver Circuit

 

The circuit as shown is for a spindle control application but the circuit remains the same for any other use. 5V and GND are self explanatory. SPINEN is the signal coming out of the microcontroller and typically 0v DC or 5v DC. Microcontoller outputs can only switch a few mA before damage occurs, but this circuit allows the transistor Q1 to take the load and switch as much as it is rated.

To create a spindle control relay on GRBLDuino products, SPINEN connects to the Sp EN terminal block (the side labeled +). GND is connected to the other side of this same terminal block. 5V must be connected to a 5v source – the simplest way is to use a wire with a Dupont plug to connect to the high side of the Lim. H/L header.

Here are more GRBLDuino posts!

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