Hi,
I have an MPCNC / Rambo / end stops / Marlin combo. I know that Estlcam will not control the MPCNC directly with this combo.
I now have a use case that vaving Estlcam directly control the MPCNC for surface scanning would save me a monumental amount of time.
Is there any set of mainboard etc that would allow Estlcam to successfully control the MPCNC? Don’t care if I have to switch to GRBL, as I don’t need printing on the MPCNC - have 2 3d printers…
TIA
Gary
The xpro v3 is all in one, can be controlled by ESTLcam, I haven’t checked if v4 can, but I don’t see what not.
The basic grbl shield that goes on top of an Uno will work too. Basically, if it runs standard grbl 0.9 or 1.1, ESTLcam can be flashed into it, replacing the grbl firmware.
If you switch to grbl, you can also run surface probing from bcnc and it works great! And you still have the option to use most cam software.
Thanks Aaron, have you done this? Are you aware of any links where someone has got an MPCNC set up with either of the options you mention?
cheers
Gary
I prefer to run a grbl shield on a Arduino with UGS but did try Estlcam it is nice and may go back to it for PCB surface probing or rough surface or curving but not what I’m used to so I went back to UGS. I am looking into V-carve Pro export to machine but don’t see a advantage to it either I love V-carve almost as easy as Estlcam
Tim,
I’ve ordered an Arduino Uno and CNC shield to install GRBL on, were/are there any gitchas to setting up the MPCNC with this?
TIA
Gary
There’s nothing that makes it’s specific to the mpcnc, just need to be sure what microstepping your using so you can set the appropriate steps based on the pulley teeth. Are you still planning on using estlcam to control it? Otherwise you would be limited to the gcode that estlcam produces. I asked Christian and he said that ESTLcam controller doesn’t really have a corresponding post processor in other CAM packages.
The main advantage to Vcarve and the rest of the line of software is that the vector application is built in already. Text, shapes, fillets, dragknife vectors, offsets, nesting, array, inlay options are integrated on the left side of the screen. Bitmap tracing/photoediting are included, as well as the ability to place an STL model in with your project. You can absolutely get by with just estlcam, but for me, the workflow is ridiculously fast, and the preview function is invaluable for customers to see. As a hobbyist, ESTLcam is plenty, and you can use Carbide Create as well if you need 3d preview (provided you’re using grbl of course)
Gary no special just set up your post to be grbl 1.1 compliant meaning pick grbl from the menu 
make sure you figure all the parameters or your measurements woo be wrong UGS has a wizard to help set up the firmware works very well if you use estlcam double check you input for these items
Thanks so much for your replies Aaron and Tim. At he moment I’ll stick with Estlcam…currently awaiting delivery of an arduino CNC combo - on a slow boat from China :-).
May bug you both again when it arrives if I need any assistance!
cheers
Gary