Please can someone help me with my 1610 mini desktop cnc

[DesktopCNC]

1st of all. Hello to everyone. I am Sam from Edgbaston Birmingham. I am newbie with CNC. Manager in BP and part time Woodworker. Like to create art stuff and done a lot of projects of tables and some cool chairs.
Lets get to the point. I bought diy cnc kit and setted up and it was all fine till last week. Its been a week machine is not responding to any thing.
I have tried everything what possibly I could but no luck. Here is the link of my diy cnc. http://ebay.co.uk/itm/112433067669
I am using software grbl control.

I found a video in Internet where a person have same issue as mine. Here is the link.

https: youtu.be/UG1zoWe9SHM
My machine is not working like that as well. I have checked every single wiring. I am Supposed to be making a project but I m gutted. Its way to urgent.
Please if anyone can help me I will really appreciate

[A_Camera]

I can't help you with GRBL and my comment isn't going to solve anything for you, but that machine looks like a toy. It is not made for anything where power is needed, it contains a lot of plastic stuff (looks like cheap 3-D printed things) where metal would be preferable but not less than at least precision machined Delrin. The steppers seems too small, the screws have no bearing supports on the motor end, are made for 3-D printer, uses unsupported curtain rods and so on... so of course it is weak. All that can be seen in the eBay link pictures already. I am afraid that you threw £180 out of the window.

[Clive S]

Hi and welcome to the forum Sam. As much as it hurts me to say I am afraid that on this occasion A_Camera is correct it is just a glorified expensive toy and would struggle to ice a cake.

That said you might get some fun from it and learn a bit about cnc. Good luck.

[A_Camera]

Yes, using it for learning is perfectly fine. Testing a concept, demonstration, air milling, see how it moves, how it is controlled, test g-codes and so on. Perhaps it can be used for some simple laser engraving as well, where no precision or accurate repeat-ability is needed. Maybe it can be upgraded to 3-D printer, but I think accuracy is going to be a serious problem.

So maybe the £180 is not wasted at all, because education and experience costs money, but...


I am Supposed to be making a project but I m gutted. Its way to urgent.

...it is not good for any milling project, regardless how urgent it is. I guess if you would have asked about advice before you bought this probably nobody on this site would have advised you to buy it for the purpose I am assuming you bought this for.

[Desertboy]

Hi Sam, unfortunately you have got a toy there but as long as you work within it's limitations I'm sure you can have a lot of fun with it. Just don't expect to be cutting metals it really is an engraver rather than a milling machine.

There's an easy fix to get this working quickly but will still take a few days for the bits to come in the post

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3D-Printer-CNC-Arduino-Shield-Engraver-Board-Driver-V3-A4988-Expansion-New-V2-V4-/152575669509?hash=item238637f505:g:XwsAAOSw0hlZNuO W

This is the easiest solution as it contains new steppers which you probably don't need but at that price too cheap too worry.

Then replace the board with the Arduino, flash grbl, play with jumpers, wire the power supply to the cnc shield and you'll be working within an hour or 2.

[Zeeflyboy]

As desertboy has suggested I think the easiest solution is just to throw out the motion control board and use something like that.

The machine probably will be fine for the laser and milling foam, light cutting of soft woods will probably be okay as long as you take it easy. Really is just a cheap engraving machine though rather than a router or mill.

[DesktopCNC]

Hi guys. Thank you for reply.
Ok yeah I know it's a toy and only good for learning. And that's what I'm doing. Main idea is to learn gcode and how to use it etc. Project is not a big one. Its only engraving on 5mm plywood. So I guess this tiny toy is capable of doing that lol
I am planning to create big cnc machine but that will need a lot of experience and I got a lot to learn 1st about milling and cutting by cnc.
Thank you desertboy for your suggestion. Its actually a cheap way out. As I am newbie and trying to learn all about cnc so I am going to be pain and ask few question. I am sorry.
What software will I have to do to run this control board. Will I able to find instructions online about flashing this board and will I have to rip the connectors of axis spindle motor and laser and put them in this board.
Hmmm I know I m being pain but will really appreciate further help
Thank you once again for your valuable time, you are spending to reply me. God bless you all :)

[Desertboy]

Hi guys. Thank you for reply.
Ok yeah I know it's a toy and only good for learning. And that's what I'm doing. Main idea is to lurk gcode and how to use it etc. Project is not a big one. Its only engraving on 5mm plywood. So I guess this tiny toy is callable of doing that lol
I am planning to create big cnc machine but that will need a lot of experience and I got a lot to learn 1st about milling and cutting by cnc.
Thank you desertboy for your suggestion. Its actually a cheap way out. As I am newbie and trying to learn all about cnc so I am going to be pain and ask few question. I am sorry.
What software will I have to do to run this control board. Will I able to find instructions online about flashing this board and will I have to rip the connectors of axis spindle motor and laser and put them in this board.
Hmmm I know I m being pain but will really appreciate further help
Thank you once again for your valuable time, you are spending to reply me. God bless you all :)

The arduino runs grbl so when it's running it should work with the same software as before.

If you google cnc shield arduino guide you will find some easy setup guides to get you started.

[DesktopCNC]

Ok thanks. I will have a look now Desertboy. Thank you once again

[EddyCurrent]

Have you verified there is power to the circuit board ?
are there any emergency stop or limit switch inputs to the board ?

Here's a link to the board; https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/GRBL-0-9J-USB-port-cnc-engraving-machine-control-board-3-axis-control-laser-engraving-machine/1941516_32713561151.html
maybe you do a straight swap ?

[Desertboy]

Have you verified there is power to the circuit board ?
are there any emergency stop or limit switch inputs to the board ?

Here's a link to the board; https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/GRBL-0-9J-USB-port-cnc-engraving-machine-control-board-3-axis-control-laser-engraving-machine/1941516_32713561151.html
maybe you do a straight swap ?

I did suspect that it might be the case
22035

It's just an Arduino nano (Cut down Uno) with the same steppers but more expensive and not in the UK I'd go with the cncshield combo I linked to instead same software, same setup. The only hassle is mounting the board, it does support laser engraving so no features will be missing.

Basically this board is a cheaper version of what I linked too but actually more expensive and less reliable.

[m_c]

Before buying any new boards, I'd be trying to get the existing one working again.

When did the existing board stop working? I.e. Just randomly after being powered on? While running a job? After changing a setting?

Does the board still show as being connected to the computer? I.e. listed as a COM port in windows device manager?

I've got no experience with GRBL, but I'd suggest trying to send some commands via a terminal to the board to see if it responds. For a terminal, it's probably easiest to download the Arduino software, as it includes a terminal, and you'll need the software anyway if you do need to reprogram anything.
If there is no response, I'd then be trying to re-flash GRBL to the board, as something could of caused it to become corrupt, and re-flashing it may get things working again.

[DesktopCNC]

Have you verified there is power to the circuit board ?
are there any emergency stop or limit switch inputs to the board ?

Here's a link to the board; https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/GRBL-0-9J-USB-port-cnc-engraving-machine-control-board-3-axis-control-laser-engraving-machine/1941516_32713561151.html
maybe you do a straight swap ?

Hi yeah I have checked with board and everything seems perfect with boards nothing is burnt and power is passing by. Only issue is that software has been wiped out from board. I have showed it to one of my mate and he confirmed that.

[DesktopCNC]

Update about my situation. Need further help please guys.
Ok so I found out that board is all fine and none of the components burnt and power is passing by normally. Only and I guess main issue is that software been wiped out from its memory. My mate is trying to help me and he said to me that if we can somehow flash this board with software it came with, can do the trick.
I'm gonna give it a go and if no luck then I will buy that cnc shield board.
Anyone would have any idea to flash this damn thing? 😢

[Desertboy]

Update about my situation. Need further help please guys.
Ok so I found out that board is all fine and none of the components burnt and power is passing by normally. Only and I guess main issue is that software been wiped out from its memory. My mate is trying to help me and he said to me that if we can somehow flash this board with software it came with, can do the trick.
I'm gonna give it a go and if no luck then I will buy that cnc shield board.
Anyone would have any idea to flash this damn thing? ��

You want the Arduino IDE
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

there's a few guides on flashing grbl to the arduino follow any of them.

[m_c]

https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Flashing-Grbl-to-an-Arduino

Were you supplied a pre-configured .hex file with the machine?
V1.1 is the latest version, however I'm wondering why the PCB specifies 0.9. If you got sent a .hex file with the machine, I'd use that, as it's likely to be already configured for the machine.
Older versions of GRBL can be downloaded by scrolling down this page a bit - https://github.com/grbl/grbl

[DesktopCNC]

I got the arduino software but just don't know how to use it. Will try to google it. Thanks for your help buddy. Had to go to work on my day off :(

[m_c]

What software was supplied with the machine?
Was it a download, or was it supplied on a disk?

The reason I'm asking, is if we can see what software/files you have, we'll be able to give more precise help, which should get you up and running quicker.

[DesktopCNC]

On my board it doesn't say 0.9 . hmmmm I don't think it came with any .hex file. I will check again. Thanks

[m_c]

On my board it doesn't say 0.9 . hmmmm I don't think it came with any .hex file. I will check again. Thanks

I was going by the link posted previously. I don't see any reason why a newer than 0.9 version wouldn't work unless there's something specific about the configuration, but see my previous post (that I made while you were most likely typing this reply!) about what software/files you have.

[DesktopCNC]

What software was supplied with the machine?
Was it a download, or was it supplied on a disk?

The reason I'm asking, is if we can see what software/files you have, we'll be able to give more precise help, which should get you up and running quicker.

Hi m_c The software came in disk is grbl 0.8.

[DesktopCNC]

I was going by the link posted previously. I don't see any reason why a newer than 0.9 version wouldn't work unless there's something specific about the configuration, but see my previous post (that I made while you were most likely typing this reply!) about what software/files you have.

I am sorry m_c I completely missed your this post. I came back from work and was tired as hell. Sorry 😞
Disk came with kit and it contains grbl 0.8
I have tried reinstalling it and installing it back on but still no luck so far.

[m_c]

It would be helpful to see what's on the disk, as I'd hope it would contain a configuration file.
How big (in MB!) is everything on the disk? Would it be possible to add all the files on the disk to a ZIP, and upload it somewhere?

Ultimately you'll need to follow these instructions - https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Compiling-Grbl
And then to test if it's successfully flashed to the board, open the terminal within the Arduino software, type and send '$' to see if you get a response as per - https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Commands

[Desertboy]

Can it flash the arduino?

http://blog.protoneer.co.nz/quick-grbl-setup-guide-for-windows-arduino-g-code-interpreter/

If you follow this guide make sure you change the device settings that says mega to 328p (Might be listed as nano, think Uno works fine to)

[DesktopCNC]

It would be helpful to see what's on the disk, as I'd hope it would contain a configuration file.
How big (in MB!) is everything on the disk? Would it be possible to add all the files on the disk to a ZIP, and upload it somewhere?

Ultimately you'll need to follow these instructions - https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Compiling-Grbl
And then to test if it's successfully flashed to the board, open the terminal within the Arduino software, type and send '$' to see if you get a response as per - https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Commands

Hi m_c please give me your email and I will send you the zip format of disk. Thank you for your help buddy

[DesktopCNC]

Can it flash the arduino?
http://blog.protoneer.co.nz/quick-grbl-setup-guide-for-windows-arduino-g-code-interpreter/

If you follow this guide make sure you change the device settings that says mega to 328p (Might be listed as nano, think Uno works fine to)

Thank you desertboy for the link. I am at work Will try that when I get home buddy.

[DesktopCNC]

It would be helpful to see what's on the disk, as I'd hope it would contain a configuration file.
How big (in MB!) is everything on the disk? Would it be possible to add all the files on the disk to a ZIP, and upload it somewhere?

Ultimately you'll need to follow these instructions - https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Compiling-Grbl
And then to test if it's successfully flashed to the board, open the terminal within the Arduino software, type and send '$' to see if you get a response as per - https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Commands

Did you get chance to check email m_c? I sent you earlier on.

[m_c]

Yes, I got it.
I'm on late shift this week, so only just got home.

There's nothing in that archive that relates to the actual programming of the board, however it all references using version 0.9. Given everything references 0.9, it's probably wise to try reflashing 0.9.

Try following the guide at the top of this page - https://github.com/grbl/grbl/wiki/Compiling-Grbl
Download the grbl 0.9 files via this link - https://github.com/grbl/grbl/archive/master.zip
And the main Arduino IDE software at https://www.arduino.cc/download_handler.php?f=/arduino-1.8.3-windows.exe

Let us know how you get on following that guide. And if you manage to establish any kind of communication with the board.