[ TOAD4 ]

TOAD4

TOAD4 is a self contained four axis CNC controller with spindle control and touch probe interface aimed at the hobby market and DIY people. It is built around four Toshiba TB6560 microstepping stepper motor drivers and the Microchip PIC18F4550 USB-enabled microcon- troller.

Four identical stepper drivers

34 VDC drive voltage
3A / phase drive current
software controllable current on/off
software selectable high drive / low hold torque
four step modes from full step down to micro stepping
four different current decay modes
up to 11 kHz step frequency

Four reference/home position switch inputs

+12/5 VDC output option for optical gates etc

Spindle / Torch control interface

optically isolated forward and reverse outputs
optically isolated ratiometric spindle speed output for VFD drive

Coolant control output

optically isolated output for coolant control

Touch probe input

optional optical isolation
optional isolated DC power output for probe

Speed control input

software readable potentiometer input for cutting speed control

Cooling fan power output

12 V @ 100 mA available for a standard low power cooling fan

Integral power supply

up to 80 VA integral unregulated power supply for motors and electronics

USB Interface

Full Speed / 12 Mb/s interface
no LPT/Parallel port required
No drivers needed for host operating system
Compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac OS X and Android
Allows use of mini laptops for CNC applications

PIC Flash Microcontroller

does not depend on host operating system for real time tasks
1kB RAM memory
32 kB Flash ROM memory
Serial port for debugging

All Through-Hole PCB Construction

no hard-to-solder surface mount components used

Standard DE9 Connectors

all machine internal connections can be made with cheap and cheerful common serial port cables

Compact mechanical construction

fits into standard Hammond die cast aluminum enclosure
all machine connection easily dis-connectable for service
easy mechanical construction