Advanced Electronics

Discussion of Arduino/Grbl limitations and reasons for other controllers/software http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3913&p=29429

Alternative Controllers
Instead of using an Arduino microcontroller, Arduino stepper shield, and Pololu A4988 Stepper Drivers (or an Arduino and a GrblShield), you might instead select an all-in-one controller board or other control system or re-purpose a general-purpose computer.

Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/CNC/comments/3swlil/overview_of_cnc_control_systems_gathering_examples/

Netduino Microcontroller
Netduino CNC

Alternative Controller with On-board Microcontroller

 * Gradus M1 Pro --- notable for replaceable stepper drivers
 * TinyG (from ShapeOko community member Alden) --- See comparison at TinyG-or-grblShield --- more information at Inventables Blog: Hello World! Notes on using TinyG with Shapeoko and Re: Can someone explain what Tiny G is?
 * Post discussing settings: Re: Tinyg Parameter Questions
 * XStepper (from ShapeOko community member Xpix)
 * AtomCNC was available from AtomCNC but site is off-line (from ShapeOko community member AtomSoft)
 * Smoothieboard --- one implementation is Microcontroller:AzteegX5mini

Alternative Controllers without On-board Microcontroller
(Used in conjunction with a PC equipped with a parallel port and running LinuxCNC or other controller software )

4 Axis Open Source CNC Controller

HobbyCNC EZ-Driver Board

Xylotex 3-Axis Stepper Motor Driver Board

HY-TB4DV-M_Ebay_CNC_Controller_4-axis

Alternative to Stepper Shield

 * https://store.eccentricworkshop.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=GRBL


 * Stripboard stepper driver carrier board


 * Buildlog


 * TB6600


 * http://cnc4pc.com/motion-control/breakout-boards/arduino.html

Mach3/Chinese Controllers
G540 4-Axis Digital Step Drive Made of four Gecko G250 drivers and their breakout board. Requirements: PC (running Mach3), a parallel cable, the Gecko itself, a power supply, motors, cables, and connectors.

http://soc-robotics.com/product/Motion%20Control/Control%20Systems/GenY32.html

Shapeoko 2 Mach3 settings

Linux CNC

 * Mini ITX Setup
 * (C)omplete build including 4GB memory ... less than $150.
 * Caleb's Shapeoko 2 #3164

Other Alternatives

 * tbone controller board for CNC applications
 * http://www.hobbycnc.com/
 * 4 Axis Open Source CNC Controller
 * http://www.eazycnc.com/welcome/welcome.php
 * http://zapmaker.org/raspberry-pi/3-alamode-arduino-connect-to-the-pis-gpio/

Alternative Stepper Drivers
Comparison of UC-100, SmoothStepper USB and SmoothStepper Ethernet: https://www.reddit.com/r/hobbycnc/comments/3suvtb/uc100_vs_usb_smoothstepper_vs_ethernet/cx0r30w

Reddit: What's the difference in CNC shields and how do they work?

TB6560
Almost all of them work with GRBL on Arduino, if you wire them correctly. Notes on setup: Re: ShapeOko inspired CNC by Northbear


 * SainSmart CNC 4 Axis TB6560 Stepper Schrittmotor Driver Board + Parallel Cable

G540
http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g540.html

Alternative Software
http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/arduino/AccelStepper/

Assembling the electronics
Assemble the stepper driver shield If you purchased the Stepper Driver Shield as a kit, you'll need to solder the parts yourself.

Tip A great way to get the pins aligned properly is to actually plug the un-soldered header pins into the Arduino, and then set the driver shield on top. The pins will be aligned and allow you to easily solder them in place.

A complete video guide to assembling the buildlog shield is available http://j.mp/Lal92X

The stepper shield allows you to configure the drivers to use microstepping by adding jumpers to the pins along the center of the shield. We want to use microstepping on the x-axis and y-axis, but not the z-axis. Connect all three pairs of jumpers for X and Y to indicate 16 microsteps. Leave the pins "un-jumpered" for Z and A.



Solder headers to the drivers You'll need to solder the headers to the drivers, too.

Tip You can use the same trick to solder the headers to the drivers and you did to solder the headers to the driver shield. Plug the headers into the driver shield and set the driver on top. The pins will be aligned and allow you to easily solder them in place.



Keeping things separated The shield sits extremely close to the Arduino. If it looks like components on the shield are going to touch the Arduino, you'll need to do something to keep them separated. Either insert some insulating material between them, or insert a set of headers between the Arduino and shield.



Troubleshooting
Note that behavior of the electronics will differ due to the increased control and options which the more advanced components afford: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5954&p=45465#p45465