Developers/OEMs

If you're a developer, experimenter, hobbyist, or potential OEM customer ... you've found the right place. This page explains various ShopBot CNC Control System modules and components for those interested in creating or modifying their own tools or robots, or for using our systems in manufacturing other products. Developers/Integrators ... ShopBot control systems have been used to implement a number of different types of automation equipment. The systems are highly configurable making available 1 to 5 axes of simultaneous motion with software control. ShopBot software can run in the background behind your custom interface. Feel free to download our software and study the examples of custom controls in the "For Developers" folder. OEMs ... ShopBot has provided OEM robotic control for several manufacturers, from resin-dispensing to ice-carving. We can provide an affordable, high-performance control, or control and drive system for most robotic applications.

Experimenters and CNC Hobbyists ... Well, we built CNCs ourselves and enjoyed doing it. And, for a while we sold kits for the adventurous (see our History). But the reality is that in this day of affordable CNC (be it a ShopBot or another tool), the build-it-yourself approach is only for a select few. If you really get off on building your own tools, then yes ... give it a go. But, if your time is valuable and you really want a CNC to help make other stuff, then you are probably better off buying a complete tool that's ready to go to work for you.

If you are one of those select few who wants to build your own,  great! We empathize and appreciate you. Consider using one of our Control Systems as the core component of your CNC or robotic project. As described below, we offer several different types and levels of solution, in each case getting you started with proven but highly flexible software and control components.

Upgrading Older (non-ShopBot) CNCs ... Many older CNC tools still have excellent mechanical components, though their  motion and control systems may have become outdated. ShopBot Control Systems can provide a very affordable upgrade alternative for these tools. There will be some work required to bracket and adapt motors to your existing tool, but once the mechanical link is made, you are ready for high-performance cutting and machining.

Upgrading Older ShopBots ... We try to make improvements and advances in our controls available for all ShopBots. Our latest software is always available for free download from this website and we encourage ShopBotters to keep current. We are always adding new features and, of course, do our best to get any bugs quickly repaired.

The Control System components described below can also be used to upgrade older ShopBot tools for improved performance. Modules particularly appropriate for upgrades are indicated below. Because existing ShopBot owners already own a license to the Control System software, and because we are usually able to re-use the existing control board, we offer a $250 rebate on purchases of upgrade systems when the old control board is returned.

Overview of ShopBot CNC Controls and Drive Systems

ShopBot’s Control and Drive Systems are modular. The diagram below lays out the basic components and provides a way of thinking and a set of standard names for components of our CNC systems.

ShopBot CNC Controls and Drive System. By this term we mean the whole CNC motion production system; this is what we provide with a CNC tool.

ShopBot Control System refers to the CNC intelligence and basic software control system. This includes the ShopBot Control Software that is running on a PC, its connection to the Controller Card, the Controller Card, and the software on the card. The components are linked in a system that generates motion profiles, encodes and transfers them to the outboard device, where the information is translated into “step & direction” instructions that directly produce action. Step and direction information can be used to activate many types of generic, motion-production drivers or devices. Thus the “ShopBot Control System” is the smallest chunk of ShopBot Control stuff that can actually used by a developer or OEM. The ShopBot Control Software, the Connection, and the Controller Card and Software are each individual parts. They fit into the system, have value, and can be sold separately but none has any operational capability without all of the others.

Note that while the software is available freely for download from our website, only owners of tools or Control Systems actually own a ShopBot software license. 1 ShopBot Control System = 1 software license. In effect, this license is represented by the Controller Card because it contains all the circuitry and software for decoding information sent to the Control Box. Controller Cards for various systems are conceptually interchangeable, though they do come in several specific variations.

Interface Board. The Controller Card is fitted to some sort of “Interface” Board to make the electrical connections available for use. The Board can vary from something very simple, that basically just has a few terminals, to a board with more capabilities such as our PRTalpha board that provides a full, industrial-grade, CNC interface with safety interlock, relays, isolation and protection circuits, etc. When we put a Controller card together with an Interface Board, we call this combined assembly a Control Board.

To create any kind of physical CNC action, the system needs to additionally include some sort of Motor Drivers and Motors. The Interface Board is connected to the Motor Drivers by Driver Connectors and then the Motor Drivers are connected to the Motors by Motor Cables. Depending on the system, the Motor Drivers may be on the same physical interface board (see PRT systems below). Our Control Box contains/houses/protects the Controller Card, Interface Board, and Motor Drivers.

ShopBot Control and Drive Systems

We provide a variety of Control and Drive systems that are available to developers, OEMs, and general experimenters. They range from very basic controllers to full blown CNC systems ready to mount or retrofit to machines. The diagram below provides an outline of these systems.

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Systems and Pricing

Systems components and Pricing below are illustrative. Please contact ShopBot's Development Group for a quote on a system to your specifications. Quantity pricing is available to OEMs.
 

ShopBot Control System Software and Controller Card (Common to all systems).

• Software and Controller card supporting simultaneous, 5-axis, interpolated motion

• Step rates to 30K steps/sec with USB interface; to 40K steps/sec with hi-speed serial interface; step and direction signals

• 8 programmable inputs; 8 programmable outputs

• All systems come with complete ShopBot Control system software (See description for full details; download software and evaluate to appreciate our advanced but easily-operated, CNC interface)

• Control Card requires 5V, DC power

• ShopBot's PartWorks Suite CAD/CAM design software is optionally available with purchase of a system
   

ShopBot Control System with Controller and Simple Interface Board.

This system offers the most basic way to take advantage of ShopBot Controls. For experimenter, hobbyist, or OEM wanting to create their own interface.

(#15301) ShopBot Control System with Controller and Simple Breakout Board;  PRICE $545.00

*Available in 4th quarter 2006.

 

ShopBot Control System with Controller and Basic CNC Interface Board.

This basic CNC (#001646) interface board (PRT v4) has connectors for Inputs and Outputs (optically-isolated) as well as header connections for cabling motor drivers. Good for controlling existing step and direction drivers. ShopBot will also package PRTalpha, closed-loop, stepper drivers, motors and cables with this system.

(#15303) ShopBot Control System with Controller and Basic CNC Board (v4);  PRICE $645.00
*Available in 4th quarter 2006.
[This is an excellent combination for running an existing driver-motor system. For developers, this system is available with 4, PRTalpha drivers, motors, and cables;  add $2,800.00]
 

There are two additional variations of this system. The PRTstandard (v3) (#001202) board provides 5, ShopBot stepper drivers built into the interface board. The drivers are 1/4 stepping, 1.5A, 40v. Wago connectors are used for motor output. This is the interface and driver board used for our PRTstandard tools.

(#15302) ShopBot Control System with Controller and PRT Standard Board (v3);  PRICE $745.00

The new PRT (v4g) board (#001647) includes 4, Geckodrive stepper drivers mounted on the board. This board provides a very complete CNC solution, ready to attach to motors with Wago connector on board. This board is optionally available with a power supply and mounted in a PC case. This board is a drop-in replacement for PRT v3 boards, offering higher microstep resolution and operating speeds.

(#15304) ShopBot Control System with Controller and PRT (v4g) Board;  PRICE $1,045.00 [without Geckodrives;  PRICE $645.00] [(#15314) In PC case with 48v Power Supply;  PRICE $1,295.00] *Both available in 4th quarter 2006.

ShopBot Control System with Controller and Industrial CNC Interface Board.

These systems offer components of our high performance PRTalpha CNC. The #001523 board is an industrial control with full safety-interlock relays, driver fault integration, spindle controls. We can provide these systems at any level of build-out from just the board, to the Control Box (sealed, custom aluminum enclosure with heatsinks) with contactors and power supplies, to the full PRTalpha driver and advanced, closed-loop steppers that provide incredible performance and reliability.

(#15305) ShopBot Control System with Controller and Industrial CNC Board;  PRICE $795.00
[For developers, this system is available with 4 PRTalpha drivers, motors, and cables;  add $2,800.00]

(#15306) ShopBot Control System with Controller and Industrial CNC Board and sealed Industrial Control Box. Control box includes double redundant contactors for spindle and drivers, e-stop, mains disconnect, and full wiring panel;  PRICE $3,195.00

(#15307) Full ShopBot Control System with Controller and Industrial CNC Board, sealed Industrial Control Box, and 4, PRTalpha drivers, motors, and cables. Control box includes double redundant contactors for spindle and drivers, e-stop, mains disconnect, and full wiring panel. This system is ready to attach to an CNC machine and run;  PRICE $5,895.00