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A module to display important data on a LCD Display as serial Proxy. It can handle and program 32(4x8) Buttons and a rotary encoder for your makros or control ur Shapeoko. Created by Frank Herrmann (xpix)
Some time ago, we designed and built version 1.0 of Xstepper. Unlike other existing GRBL-based CNC solutions, Xstepper is an all-in-one device. The possibility of controlling the machine in a headless state may be possible, and the first step toward doing so is some sort of visual display. This module aims at solving part of the problem!
But how? The good people coding GRBL don’t have the on-chip memory to code in an LCD interface for GRBL. Add to that the severe lack of available IO and this seems to rule out this type of expansion. However, there is always a workaround.
This module spies on the serial communication between the arduino and PC using an ATmega328P. Simultaneously the MC polls the position of the spindle from the XStepper. The returned data is then parsed and displayed on a local LCD. You can choose to display the debug screen, work position or machine position using the on-board button.
http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/images/a/aa/Schema_XLCD_Seriel_zu_PC-GRBL_%281%29.png
Also we can handle a 4bit or I2C LCD. We add a connector for 32(4x8) Buttons, they can use for actions or macros to control ur Shapeoko. Also possible and planed is to handle a SD Card Connector via I2C:
http://wyolum.com/announcement-i2sd-a-disk-drive-for-arduino/
to plan a headless Shapeoko machine with XStepper/XLcd Modules.
The XLcd includes the following features:
Version 0.1:
- ATMega328u (DIL Package)
- USB Connections using USB-FTDI
- ICSP-Connector for flashing the firmware
- Connector for External Buttons for spindle, reset, etc...
- I2C Connector
- add 2 Connector for External Buttons line C and D
- use pin 8/9 for better serial emulation
- stable connect to grbl
This Board are in beta phases, sometimes we realize we are not perfect :) And yes, this is hard to know :) Ok, please check your Boardversion and read this articles for workarounds to fix these Bugs:
- Wrong resistor values for button Arrays: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1904&p=16587#p16587
The ML20 Header are for connect your Buttons. XLCD are so designed, then he can manage up to 7 buttons on one analog pin. You can connect up to 14 Buttons to Pin A0(A) and A1(B).Also i designed a little header to connect A2(C) and A3(D).
A Button/switch will close the line to GND and the function will activated.
If you want to code your own subroutines for buttons. Please have a look to this file: https://github.com/xpix/XLCD/blob/xlcd-0.2/serialspy/config_buttons.ino
More about this topic, see in header Firmware.
Here the pinout for XLCD's Header:
This branches are created for every revision. Please download schema and board file for your Revision for solder:
- xlcd 0.1: https://github.com/xpix/XLCD
- xlcd 0.2: https://github.com/xpix/XLCD/tree/xlcd-0.2
Qty Value Device Package Parts Description 1 DUOLED2X5 DUOLED2X5 LEDTX/RX DUO LED 1 ML20 ML20 BUTTONS HARTING 1 0-220R R-EU_R1206 R1206 R2 RESISTOR, European symbol 3 0.1uF C-EUC1206 C1206 C1, C12, C13 CAPACITOR, European symbol 2 1.2k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R9, R17 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 1.8k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R10, R18 RESISTOR, European symbol 1 10K R-EU_R1206 R1206 R3 RESISTOR, European symbol 1 10K TRIMPOT3362U-2 3362U-2 R1 Various small potentiometers for "set- and-forget" applications 2 110 R-EU_R1206 R1206 R6, R7 RESISTOR, European symbol 1 16 MHZ CRYSTALHC49S HC49/S Q2 CRYSTAL 2 18pF C-EUC1206 C1206 C14, C15 CAPACITOR, European symbol 2 2.2k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R11, R19 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 2.7k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R12, R20 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 2k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R4, R5 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 3.3k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R13, R21 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 3.9k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R14, R22 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 4.7k R-EU_R1206 R1206 R15, R23 RESISTOR, European symbol 2 680 R-EU_R1206 R1206 R8, R16 RESISTOR, European symbol 1 Analog PINHD-1X2 1X02
Here i describe the realy easy way with Arduino IDE and an Arduno UNO. It exists a LOT of solutions, to flash the firmware to the chip. This is only one way :)
To flash the xlcd Firmware you have to use a normal Arduino IDE, cuz you have to change some preferences in sourcecode. Please read this steps and use a normal Arduino to flash the Atmega328P chip:
- Download and install Arduino IDE! (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)
- Install follow librarys. Unzip in arduino/librarys directory and restart IDE.
* LiquidCrystal: https://bitbucket.org/fmalpartida/new-liquidcrystal/wiki/Home
(Important: Delete the old LCD library before you install this one!)
* SimpleThread: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46359709/simpleThread.rar
* AltSoftSerial: http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_libs_AltSoftSerial.html
* Encoder: http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_libs_Encoder.html
- Download/Extract XLCD Firmware: https://github.com/xpix/XLCD/archive/xlcd-0.2.zip
Restart your IDE and load this sketch: xlcd/serialspy/serialspy.ino. Try to compile :)
Please edit follow Section and configure firmware:
// Serial speed ---------------------------------- #define PC_SERIAL 19200 #define GRBL_SERIAL 9600 // LCD ------------------------------------------- #define LCD_ADDR 0x27 // I2C LCD Address //#define LCD_4BIT #define LCD_cols 20 #define LCD_rows 4
For you is only important to set LCD as 4bit or I2C. Please choose the right one, if you want to use an I2C LCD (4pins to connect to LCD) then u need to know which address has your LCD on I2C bus. Don't forget to set the right cols and rows. (16x2, 16x4, 20x4, ...)
If you put LCD direct on board with 16 in header, then u have to change to LCD_4BIT.
//#define LCD_ADDR 0x27 // I2C LCD Address #define LCD_4BIT
Save and try to compile/upload :)
First tests are very important, you solder the last houres or last Day and you dont want to destroy ur work :) First of all connect ur FTDI Adapter to the PC Serial connector and put an Jumper on "+5V" between Pin 1 and 2. This means, the xlcd module get Power from Adapter:
1 2 3 =-= * +5V
Now you can connect the serial interface with serial client in arduino with 19200. Please check variable 'PC_SERIAL' in serialspy.ino for correct speed.
Switch Pulldownmenu to 'New Line (NL)' and Speed to '19200': File:xlcd sc pulldown.jpg
After a second you see this screen and xlcd reset the grbl device:
Grbl 0.8c ['$' for help] ok
Also every second u see status messages from grbl. We don't need this now, please switch this off with this command:
:i -1 <Interval: -1> ok
Display menu with all possible functions.
Command: :? Result: <XLCD 0.20 MENU> <:b nr Call Button nr> <:i ms Set or get interval in microseconds> <:s show button values> <:r Reset device> ok
"Learn Buttons" measure the voltage for every button and save this value persistent in EEPROM. You call this function only one times. Xlcd want that you press every button one time.
Command: :l Result: <Please push button: 0 ...> (press A0) <Set Button: 0 to: 241> <Please push button: 1 ...>
If you want.. (and i know u want :) You can write own macros for every button. Please check this file: https://github.com/xpix/XLCD/blob/xlcd-0.2/serialspy/config_buttons.ino#L50
You can only call a button, if the machine/grbl in idle mode.
All Buttons are numbered:
A0(A) = 0 ... 7; A1(B) = 10 .. 17 A2(C) = 20 .. 27 A3(D) = 30 .. 37
An example to send command for start 'Homing' if user press button 'A1' and display a message on LCD:
// stop all background threads
'''simpleThread'''_group_stop(group_one);
// Display action on LCD
'''myLCD'''.clear(); # clear LCD
'''myLCD'''.print("Homing ..."); # print some text
// wait one second
delay(1000);
// restart all Background thtreads
'''simpleThread'''_group_restart(group_one);
};
You can use all c++ arduino code things, but remember you have to compile and upload every change in this File. Some explains:
grblSerial: This is the alternative Serial line, connected via pin D8/D9 to RX/TX from grbl. All the prints and read work on this line. I.e. u want to send some command.
grblSerial.println("G1 X100.00"); // move machine in x-direction for 100mm
myLCD: To control the LCD Screen, you can clear and display some text. But remember, in background works a thread he get information from grbl and try to display this to LCD screen. This mean, u can display something but it will replace from this thread. You have to stop all Threads and then display some text. Wait one second and restart the threads:
simpleThread_group_stop(group_one);
myLCD.clear();
myLCD.print("Some Text ...");
delay(1000);
simpleThread_group_restart(group_one);
Easy or? i will write some usefull macros and publish these in a special thread.
- You need an USB2TTL adapater to communicate to XLcd:
- preferd sparkfun (correct pinout from StepperX): https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9115
- it exists a LOT in e*** here an example: http://r.ebay.com/6QDayW (maybe different pinout!)
You can read all articles in the http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1904 about the idea and the first prototype board. We tried to make a board with all connectors and a CPU in thru-hole/smd(1206) design, easy to solder but clearly designed and open hardware.
<gallery> File:Schema XLCD Seriel zu PC-GRBL (1).png|First Plan File:Breadboard.jpg| Test Breadboard File:Board01.png|First produced version File:Screenshot frontplate.png| Work on Frontplate File:XLCD 1.JPG| Version 0.2 first test File:XLCD 2.JPG| Version 0.2 with FTDI Adapter File:XLCD 3.JPG| I2C LCD first test </gallery>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_s020OhUaQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSstTS_I-tA