Expecting ZenXY’s to be built using this board? Have been assuming this controller would be useful for a ZenXY build that lives somewhere in my wifi saturated home/neighborhood 
Edit: Just remembered there’s a separate board with two built-in 2209’s that’s a better fit for ZenXY builds. Guessing that 2 driver board will appear in the V1E Shop.
So if someone wants it, arent the esps like 15 bucks? And it would be an easy change!
Forgive my naivety here (I’m new), but I’ve been lurking in the forum here for about 2 weeks or so just trying to soak up some information for my planned LR3 build (probably still a couple months out at least).
I’ve been keeping up with this thread, but just looking for some clarity. Is the goal here with this board to replace the SKR board option that is currently offered with the kit? Would there still be a local TFT on the machine with the new board for control, or would it be completely reliant on a connected computer?
No.
$3.70, https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-esp32.html
I want to offer a less expensive board option.
No. Wifi (AP or STA), Bluetooth, or wired. No screen options.
Other than price, is there an inherent benefit? I’ll have to weigh the options, but in the short term I don’t intend to have a computer in the shop with me. I’m ok with WiFi or manual SD card transfer either way for getting the files to the CNC, but just wondering how much trouble that would be (and maybe safety issue) to not have the screen right there to start jobs, stop jobs, etc. I assume that board would basically require a computer near by?
The expectation is that your phone is the screen, connecting to a local web page and providing the UI.
I’m not sure how files are transferred if the device is in AP mode. I do CAM on my desktop and today with OctoPrint on my house wifi I upload from my desktop and then run the job in the garage with phone as UI.
Maybe add a wifi dongle on my desktop and I can be on internet (wired Ethernet) and on AP wifi at the same time I guess. I have a spare wifi dongle around here somewhere.
I do the same with my 3d printer, but always still have my screen available to emergency stop a print, etc.
I think that’s fine from the file upload standpoint, etc, but I don’t have room in my shop right now for a PC, so I guess up front I would need to stick with the SKR/TFT option. If something started going wrong, I would want quick access to adjustments, etc without having to initiate a connection.
Sounds like this option is best for when you have a PC/Laptop that can remain setup nearby.
Thanks for the info. I was reading along this thread wondering whether I should be waiting for this to be available, etc, so that helps clear it up a bit for me.
Pc, phone, tablet, any web capable device. The benefit is a gcode visualizer for file selection and easy to use macros. The other benefit is 4x laser raster speed. The other benefit is the expansion port.
No problem that is why I will offer both.
You can upload them I think but sneaker net is always going to be the main option with the micro sd.
Interesting option.
The main goal here for me is to offer a viable low cost option. It meets or exceeds any common current board and is half the cost or less. If you want a screen the best option is still the skr pro. I have no intention of taking the option away.
The skr is having endstop issues and that is out of my control and after talking with the CEO and my sales rep it is unclear if a fix is actually on the radar. If that does not get fixed I will offer another board and screen combo. We now have a board to which I have full control over. I am pleased with that knowing the downside is I/we will now have connectivity issues to deal with for those who choose this board and run into problems.
As always I have never forced any decision on anyone and leave everything as “Do It Your Way” as possible. BUT I have been told to limit my bundle options so I will do that. I will make the bundle as easy to grasp as possible for a new user. I had a major corporation tell me they did not order a unit to test because they could not figure out what to buy…not good.
You can get any board you want as always, you can make the machine any size you want, you can use any firmware you want, any color you want, internal or external antennas, wood plastic steel, etc.
Good point. I do usually have at least one abandoned iPad from the kids laying around, so I guess that could work also.
I have been reading about them, so some of that is why I’ve been following this closely, and trying to read through most of the LR3 related threads.
I also like the idea of using something that you’ve had more control over, as generally I feel like support/help will come better that way if there are any issues.
I’ve only found the LR3 in the last 3 weeks or so, and I thought everything about the shop, calculator, etc was pretty straight forward. I think you’ve done an excellent job for anybody who is reasonably interested in doing this to be able to figure it out. A very approachable project.
I just realized having ESP32 in AP mode (even with dual adapters on desktop PC), means my phone/UI has to be on the AP and I can’t switch between CNC and internet quite so smoothly. (Unless my phone has a way to do local wifi and 4G internet at the same time. I haven’t researched that.)
So that would mean home wifi network is probably the better way to go for me, not AP mode. Configure my router with fixed DHCP address by MAC like I do for all my Raspberry Pis, and I can bookmark it.
It should I use mine like that. If there is no Internet it asks if you want to stay connected and then uses cell for internet if needed.
That is the part I am not going to support but will put up a general sentence or two just like that up in the instructions.
Poorly worded. I am not going to encourage that. I can not imagine trying to help people with all different routers and network configs. Use AP mode or STA with a static IP address.
Although, I think you can use the OLED module to display its current IP address. Besides the point.
Hi Ryan, can you please make a “here’s where we stand” post? I am bursting with questions on when and what the final version will have onboard, if there will be room for one or more extension boards (Bart’s addons) if you will sell those as well etc. I am looking forward to using this board with the rs485 module for use with my vfd. For the price of the makita, a cheap vfd and a 1500w spindle is in reach nowadays.
Can’t wait 
!
I get that some timelines won’t be fixed yet and not trying to pressure at all, just curious about the plan.
I’m taking notes right this second for the instructions.
Yes it has an expansion module port and to the best of my knowledge any module works.
The board is “done”, there are a couple that shipped out for testing, a couple about to go up for sale and a 15 more on the way. If everything checks out I will get a much larger batch next.
Instructions and shop page coming asap.
Here’s a question, regarding TFT/LCD. Does the board have a connectable UART? I t seems.to ne that most of these things communicate over serial UART, so a 4 pin header could be all that is needed to connect an LCD.
The Duet uses serial, BTT uses serial, and while the supplied firmware won’t work, I did a program for a Pi that talks to the Duet over serial, and it wasn’t hard to change for the SKR Pro running Marlin. I was playing with the idea of getting it to talk to FluidNC as well.
I suppose that it could just use the USB serial, probably less error prone that way anyhow.
I have some 3.5" 5" and 7" LCDs for the Pis, it could be interesting to add the CNC functionality for homing, jogging, setting work zero coordinates, even switching work coordinate sets via a touch screen. Also, macros are good things. I find myself missing that when working with my laser… I have macros for turning on the laser at very low power for focussing, turning it off again, and setting a zero point. It would be very handy to have that on a touch screen rather than unlocking my phone…
My desk space is pretty full so I got a new table for the office, at least for now. (LR3 is on blocks so it doesnt roll away.)
And I have everything I need to be dangerous.
Thank you! 
Now at first forget the pendant. Not sure what order these tasks go exactly:
Yes it absolutely does and that is the premise for the pendant. I don’t know how close it is to being compatible with the TFT35 but there is definitely a chance it is not far off or maybe it just works even.
