New build. Squaring and External LED questions

[elieberman]

Hello Forum,
I am starting to build my 4th CNC router. As part of this build, I am switching from a [C100 -> Gecko G540] to a [UC300ETH + Gecko G540 + UCBB + C10?]. Yes, I want ALL the inputs and outputs!

I am also switching from Mach3 with the 2010 screenset to UCCNC with the 2020 screenset.
My new router uses Y and A slaved together for the Y axis. I was reading about auto-squaring. I plan to use an NPN sensor on each side of the gantry, each connected to its own input. Is that correct? I assume I would lock my gantry square and adjust the sensors until both are synced. X and Z would have individual inputs. Is this correct?

I want to create external LEDs for E-Stop, Limit, Probing, Idle, Run, Jog, Home, and Sync. For this, I want to use a WS2812 LED Light Stick. I have lots of extra Arduinos lying around. Can I connect outputs from UCBB to the input pins on the Arduino directly, or would I need a relay for each light? It would also need to use the 5V from the UC300ETH power supply . I looked into the Modbus option, but my head started spinning. Modbus might be in the future.

I plan to keep everything with a motor relegated to the G540, including the steppers and VFD signal. The two outputs on the G540 would be relays used to enable the VFD and turn on the water pump.
Thanks for your help!

[ger21]

Yes, correct on the auto squaring. You just need to get the sensors in the correct location. I think you can also adjust the backoff amount for each switch to adjust squareness.

A simple method to do your LED is to buy an 8 channel relay board from Amazon for $10. Just connect an output to each relay, and then the relay controls your LED.
I use 24V versions of these relay boards with my UC300 and UB1 breakout board.