Setup and Using - bdring/4_Axis_SPI_CNC GitHub Wiki

Turn On

Main power needs to be on before the USB is connected. The motor drivers will not respond Grbl_ESP32 if the main power is not on.

It is best to have a USB/serial port connected for your first turn on. You will see a lot of important information displayed on the port at startup. You can always force a restart by clicking the reset button on your ESP32 module or by sending [ESP444]RESTART. Typically the Grbl_ESP32 related

[MSG:...] items will look like this.

[MSG:Grbl_ESP32 Ver 1.1f Date 20200412]
[MSG:Compiled with ESP32 SDK:v3.2.3-14-gd3e562907]
[MSG:Using machine:SPI_DAISY_4X]
[MSG:TMCStepper Init using Library Ver 0x000602]
[MSG:X Trinamic driver test passed]
[MSG:Y Trinamic driver test passed]
[MSG:Z Trinamic driver test passed]
[MSG:A Trinamic driver test passed]
[MSG:Axis count 4]
[MSG:RMT Steps]

[MSG:Local access point GRBL_ESP started, 192.168.0.1]
[MSG:Captive Portal Started]
[MSG:HTTP Started]
[MSG:TELNET Started 23]

Grbl 1.1f ['$' for help]

Options

Spindle

Make sure the interlock jumper is installed or a switch is installed. This is a safety feature, primarily for lasers, that lets you use a switch to block the spindle signal.

If you are using the relay, make sure the max RPM is set to 1 with $30=1. This makes sure any RPM you command the spindle to will give a full signal to the relay. Install the jumper at the relay. This jumper is used to break the circuit to the relay if you are using a variable speed spindle or laser.

If you are using the a variable speed signal set the $30=xxxx to the max RPM of the spindle. Make sure the relay jump is not installed or chatter on the relay from low PWM duty cycles will destroy the relay.

Using 3 motor drivers.

This controller can use 3 or 4 motor drivers. The optional one is near the relay. The SPI signal loops through the drivers, so a missing one will break the chain and not work. If you do not have a 4th axis driver installed there is a jumper next to it that can be used to close the SPI loop. Do not have a 4th driver and the jump installed or you could damage something.

Never installed or remove a motor driver when anything is powered, including power from a USB connection. It is also bad to connect or disconnect motor wiring with power on. Driver orientation is very critical. If the driver is reveresed or misaligned you will damage a lot of things when power is applied. Look at the text in the corners of the driver and match that with the text on the controller. Double check!

Motor Settings

Using Stallguard

This is an advanced feature and should only be used by advanced users. The controller supports the feature, but it currently requires some code editing to enable it. We are working on making it easier in the future. Please ask on the Slack channel if you need help.

You need to install jumpers under the ESP32 to route the stall signal to the limit switches. Do not have any limit switches connected when the jumpers are installed. You also need to solder in some (2) pin female headers (provided) in the driver sockets.