Arduino CNC Shield V3: Complete Guide

Arduino CNC Shield V3: Complete Guide and Setup Tutorial

The CNC Shield V3 is a versatile and functional extension board specifically designed to work with Arduino boards, such as the Arduino UNO and Arduino Mega. It is widely used for building various automated projects, including CNC machines, 3D printers, and laser cutters. This shield simplifies the process of controlling stepper motors, which are essential for precision movements in these types of machines.

CNC machines and 3D printers require precise and smooth motor control to move axes, extruders, or cutting tools with accuracy. The CNC Shield V3 provides a convenient and cost-effective solution to achieve this. It works seamlessly with stepper drivers like A4988, DRV8825, or the more advanced SilentStepStick drivers, which are responsible for generating the necessary pulses to control the stepper motors.

With its plug-and-play design, the CNC Shield V3 can be mounted directly onto the Arduino board without additional wiring. It allows easy connections for multiple motors, end-stop sensors, and other modules, making it an excellent choice for hobbyists, students, and engineers working on DIY automation projects.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explain step-by-step how to set up and connect the CNC Shield V3 with your Arduino board. We will also demonstrate how to write and upload the code required to control stepper motors. Additionally, we will explore the shield’s features, practical applications, and tips for safe usage. By the end of this guide, you will have a complete understanding of how to use the CNC Shield V3 to bring your CNC machine, 3D printer, or laser cutter projects to life.

Let’s get started!

Required Components

Arduino UNO
CNC Shield V3
Stepper Driver (A4988, DRV8825, or SilentStepStick)
Stepper Motor
USB A-Male to B-Male Cable
12V-36V Power Supply

CNC Shield V3: Features

The CNC Shield V3 is specifically designed to work with Arduino UNO or Mega. It simplifies the control of stepper motors using A4988 or DRV8825 drivers. With this shield, you can:

Run stepper motors
Use end-stop sensors
Control fans and other modules

This expansion board as a driver expansion board, can be used for engraving machines, 3D printers

Setup and Connection Guide

Connect CNC Shield V3 to Arduino
Mount the CNC Shield V3 directly onto the Arduino UNO pins.
Connect Stepper Drivers
Insert A4988 or DRV8825 drivers into the slots on the CNC Shield for each motor.Note: Ensure the correct polarity while placing the drivers. Incorrect placement can damage them.
Connect Stepper Motors
Connect the four wires of each motor to the X, Y, Z ports on the shield.
Power Supply Connection
Provide power (12V-36V) to the input terminal of the CNC Shield V3.

Code: Controlling Stepper Motors

Use the following code to control the stepper motor:

const int enPin = 8;
const int stepXPin = 2; // X.STEP
const int dirXPin = 5;  // X.DIR

const int stepsPerRev = 200; // Steps per revolution
int pulseWidthMicros = 100;  // Pulse width in microseconds
int millisBtwnSteps = 1000;

void setup() {
  pinMode(enPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(enPin, LOW);
  pinMode(stepXPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(dirXPin, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("CNC Shield Initialized");
}

void loop() {
  // Run Clockwise
  Serial.println("Running clockwise");
  digitalWrite(dirXPin, HIGH);
  for (int i = 0; i < stepsPerRev; i++) {
    digitalWrite(stepXPin, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(pulseWidthMicros);
    digitalWrite(stepXPin, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(millisBtwnSteps);
  }
  delay(1000);

  // Run Counter-clockwise
  Serial.println("Running counter-clockwise");
  digitalWrite(dirXPin, LOW);
  for (int i = 0; i < stepsPerRev; i++) {
    digitalWrite(stepXPin, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(pulseWidthMicros);
    digitalWrite(stepXPin, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(millisBtwnSteps);
  }
  delay(1000);
}

Code Explanation

Pin Declaration: enPin, stepXPin, and dirXPin are declared to control the stepper motor driver.
Direction Control: digitalWrite(dirXPin, HIGH) rotates the motor clockwise, while LOW rotates it counter-clockwise.
Steps per Revolution: stepsPerRev sets the number of steps required for one full revolution.

Output

After uploading the code:

The motor will first rotate clockwise.
Then it will rotate counter-clockwise.

Precautions

Set Current Limit: Before connecting the drivers, set the current limit appropriately.
Correct Driver Placement: Incorrect placement can damage the drivers.