If we type “$$” we will get a list of commands or current settings, and they appear something like this: If you cannot see this message, make sure you change the baudrate to 115200. Once we open the Serial Monitor we will get a message like “Grbl 1.1h ”. We can do that via the Serial Monitor of the Arduino IDE. So, we just have to select the Arduino board, the COM port and hit that upload button and we are done.Īt this point we should configure or adjust the GRBL to our machine. The code might look weird as it’s just one lines, but not worries, everything happens in the background in the library. A new sketch will open and we need to upload it to the Arduino board. Next, navigate to File > Examples > grbl > grblUpload.Please note that these are just he basic electronic components we need to understand how a CNC machine works.Īctually, as an example of how everything needs to be connected we can take a look at my DIY CNC foam cutting machine. It utilizes all Arduino pins and provides an easy way to connect everything, the stepper motors, the spindle/ laser, the limit switches, cooling fan etc. Arduino CNC Shield – For connecting the stepper drivers to the Arduino, the easiest way is to use an Arduino CNC Shield.Drivers – For driving the stepper motors we need drivers and common choices when it comes to smaller DIY CNC machines (using NEMA 14 or 17 steppers) are the A4988 or DRV8825 drivers.

Stepper motors – Obviously, the stepper motors provide the motion of the machine.Specifically, we need an Atmega 328 based Arduino board, meaning that we can use either Arduino UNO or Nano. Arduino – As we already said, we need an Arduino to install the GRBL.

In other words, the function of the GRBL firmware is to translate the G-code into motor movement. It’s a firmware that we need to install or upload to the Arduino so it can control the stepper motors of the CNC machine.

From the diagram we can see where the GRBL take place in the “big picture” of the working principle of a CNC machine.

Grbl controller 3.6.1 help