Getting grbl

Contents 1 Downloading grbl 2 Supported Arduinos 3 Getting grbl 4 Method 1 - Purchase a Pre-Loaded Arduino from Synthetos.com 5 Method 2 - Purchase a Pre-Loaded ATmega328p from Synthetos.com   6 Method 3 - Use AVR Studio 4 to load grbl onto your Arduino.

Downloading grbl

The now official source grbl is here: github.com/grbl/grbl/downloads
UPDATE: 7/1/12 - at the current time 0.7d is the official stable version, 0.8a is the experimental version. We like 0.8a and use it almost exclusively

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT 0.6 AND EARLIER VERSIONS DO NOT WORK WITH GRBLSHIELD

PLEASE USE AN 0.7 OR LATER VERSION

Supported Arduinos

The Arduinos below are the ones that we have tested with grbl and grblshield and feel comfortable supporting. There may be others that work, and there definitely some that do not. If you go outside this list and find ones that do work please let us know and we'll add them. In general, all Arduinos that (1) use the atmega328p chip and (2) have the standard IO pinout should work, but please understand that we can't test or support all the Arduino variants out there.

Baords we have tested and know work

• Arduino Uno - all versions
• Arduino Duemilanove - running atmega328p chip (not a 168)

Boards we know don't work

• Arduino Mega - any version
  
• Lilypad - non-standard IO pinout
• Arduino Nano, Mini and Stamp - non-standard IO pinouts
• Arduino Fio
• Any Arduino using an atmega168 chip - not enough room of the current grbl loads

Boards we don't know about

• Arduino NG variants
• Arduino Extreme
  
• Various open source and third party Arduinos

Getting grbl

There has been some confusion as to exactly how to to get grbl onto the Arduino hardware. There are a number of methods described in various places. We've tried many of them. Some work, some don't. 

As of Dec 2011 the following are the methods we recommend for obtaining/programming a grbl onto the Arduino hardware. 
There are three methods that Synthetos recommends and supports for getting grbl loaded onto your Arduino. While there are other ways to accomplish this task. These are the ONLY methods that we have found that work reliably enough to actually support. Any questions about other methods will be referred back to this list.

1. Purchase a Pre-Loaded Arduino Uno with the lastest version of grbl loaded.
2. Purchase a Pre-Loaded ATmega328p chip with the lastest verison of the grbl firmware.
3. Use AVR Studio 4 with an external AVR Programmer to flash grbl onto your Arduino.  

Each of these methods have their advantages / dis-advantages as described below.  If none of the methods appeal to you to load grbl onto your Arduino you can see Contraptor's loading grbl instructions here.  However this is unsupported and will not be responded to if posted in the forums.

Method 1 - Purchase a Pre-Loaded Arduino from Synthetos.com

This is the easiest method to get your grblShield up and running out of box.  Synthetos recommends this method for users that are new to microcontroller development, the Arduino world in general or just what something to work without any problems. 

You can get your pre-loaded Arduino here.

PROS:

• Cheaper than purchasing an external AVR programmer.
• Works out of box.
• grblShield and Arduino has been tested at Synthetos 

CONS:

• Unable to update grbl to future firmware releases without the purchase of an external programmer.
  

Method 2 - Purchase a Pre-Loaded ATmega328p from Synthetos.com  

This is not as easy as Method 1.  However its the next best solution for individuals that do not want to have to purchase another Arduino and have experience in pulling DIP (dual inline pins).

You can get your pre-loaded ATmega328p here.

PROS:

• Cheaper than purchasing an external AVR programmer.
• Cheaper than buying a whole Arduino if you already have one.
• Arduino's processor (ATmega328p) has been pre-loaded with grbl.
  

CONS:

• This method only works on Arduino's that do not have SMD (surface mount) ATmega328p's.  

Method 3 - Use AVR Studio 4 to load grbl onto your Arduino.  

This is the most "involved" way to load grbl onto your Arduino, but also the most flexible. This method requires that you have access to a Windows based machine (or a Windows VM), download AVR Studio 4 and have access to an AVRISPMKII programmer. If any of the above mentioned requirements seem unknown to you you might want to use method 1 or 2 instead.  

Method 3 instructions can be found here: Loading grbl with AVRstudio4.

PROS:  

• Able to update grbl to future firmware versions as many times as needed / you like.
• You can use any version of the Arduino UNO to load grbl onto.
  

CONS:  

• Requires the use of Windows.
• Requires registration at AVR to download AVR Studio 4.
• Requires the purchase of an AVRISP mkII. ($33.75)
• YOU have to walk through the loading steps to load grbl.
• If you click any wrong settings in AVR Studio (fuse sections) you can brick your Arduino.
  

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