Setup - bdring/6-Pack_CNC_Controller GitHub Wiki

Be Careful and Check Your Work

The 6 Pack is designed to be robust in operation, but you need to be careful when assembling it. A few thing can cause irreparable damage.

  • Stepper Modules in backwards or offset by one pin This causes the high current and high voltage of the input power supply to be routed placed that cannot handle it. You will probably break just about everything if you do this.
  • ESP32 in backwards or offset by one pin This will likely break the ESP32 and possibly damage other items.
  • Hooking up main power backwards This will break just about everything.
  • Installing CNC I/O Modules offset by one pin This will likely break the module and could damage the ESP32.
  • Installing parts while powered Do not install a module while main power is on or the ESP32 via USB.

After assembling or changing modules, give one last check for orientation and alignment. Apply main power first and USB (if you are using it) second.

ESP32 Dev Kit

The controller uses a plug in ESP32 Dev Kit Module. There is some great information about the module types used with Grbl_ESP32 here. The bottom line is you need a 38 pin, 2 x 19 module with male pins on the bottom side. Row spacing can be 1.0" 1.1" or 1.2". The ESP32 CPU in the module should be the dual core ESP32-WROOM-32D. Espressif calls this Dev Kit module the ESP32-DevKitC-32D

Note: If your enclosure can deal with an external antenna, get that one. The Wifi performance will be significantly better. Here they are at Mouser

Power Supply

The recommended voltage is 12VDC - 36VDC (40VDC Max) for version 1.5 and later and 12VDC - 24VDC (28VDC Max) for earlier versions. Current should be rated for whatever your stepper drivers will need plus about 1A extra for the rest of the electronics.

Installing Modules

Always turn off power and disconnect the USB before installing or removing CNC I/O Modules and Stepper Driver Modules. Make sure the modules are aligned and oriented correctly. A module off by one pin or rotated can do a lot of permanent damage. Double check before applying power.

Again: An improperly insert module can destroy everything!

Stepper Motor Connection

The stepper motor wires are connected with each coil going on adjacent pins as shown below. You can determine which wires belong to a coil using a meter. Check the resistance level. It is listed on the stepper motor datasheet, but is generally in the 2-40 Ohm range. If the 2 wires being checked do not belong the same coil the circuit should be open. Another way to check is to connect 2 wires together and try to turn the motor. It should be noticeably harder to spin compared to no wires being connected together.

If the wire colors are black, green, red and blue, they almost always go to the coils as shown below.

Power On Check List

  • Program the ESP32 for the first time when it is not installed
  • Verify the startup messages via a USB serial connection.
  • Are all module in the correct sockets?
  • Are they oriented properly?
  • Is the there any offset on the pins?
  • Are they screwed down?
  • Are all the jumpers set properly?
  • Is the ESP32 installed and oriented properly?
  • Is the main power within the voltage spec?
  • Are the +/- wires in the right orientation?
  • Apply main power first.
  • Install USB second