I just got this MPCNC locally and I’m having some issues getting it to function properly. It came with an Arduino Mega 2560 and Ramps board, but I’m having issues getting my firmware installed. When using XLoader, it tries to send it, the light blinks, and it fails everytime. Flashing GRBL using Arduino IDE, it seems to take firmware just fine, it also works using ESTLCam but I sense that the firmware it’s using isn’t quite compatible as the movement seems wonky, likely not set up for the 5 motors. Anything I’m missing that you experts could know?
The times when EstlCAM supported GRBL as a controller are long over, I don’t think you can make it work nowadays. If you are so inclined, run this through a translator: Estlcam + GRBL Verständnisfrage - CNCWerk-Forum. It basically says you can’t use it as a controller in this combination.
That’s fine! I think I was able to get it flashed with the Marlin firmware, but it doesn’t seem to do anything still, I can’t move it with Repetier-Host and the motors don’t seem to turn on. The only way I can get it to move is through EstlCam CNC and using the Ramps controller hardware.
Can you communicate with your board using Repetier-Host? Note the baud rate for Marlin is 250,000 which is different than the baud rate used to flash the board. If you are communicating, try sending an M115 to verify the version of the Marlin firmware is on the board.
Are you sure you flashed the Ramps version of the firmware? Did you unzip the file to get the binary file for flashing?
What stepper drivers do you have on the Ramps board? The V1 Ramps firmware is set up for DRV8825 drivers. It should work for A4988 drivers, which is the other common driver used on these boards, though adjustments for step per mm will need to be made.
If you can afford it, attaching a display to your Ramps board might give you more information about what is going on. The V1 firmware is set up for a display like this one.
I will look into all of this and answer your questions tonight, and see try that new baud rate as I definitely did not change it to that! I definitely flashed the ramps version, I had to manually flash it through command prompt so I used the .hex file, command prompt said that it took. I will use the M115 to confirm tonight.
If the board works with other firmware as you indicate, I’m sure we can help you get it working with Marlin. We just need enough information to troubleshoot the issues.
After switching to the new baud rate, seems like things are working much better, I can move all my axis as expected, except when moving my Y axis, it seems that the left side is maybe getting too tight on the conduit and causing it to vibrate and not move smoothly. This however only happens when there is power on the machine, it moves fine when it’s turned off.
It is hard to see exactly what is going on. The behavior looks like one side is powered and the other side is not. This causes one side to move until the axis is skewed and then it binds. This could be a wiring issue or a driver issue.
As a first step to troubleshoot the problem, swap the wiring wiring between Y1 and Y2 at the control board. If the problem moves to the other side, then you have a wiring or driver issue. If it does not, you have a mechanical issue. Be sureto put the wiring back after the test.
Did you set the VREF for your drivers? There are a number of tutorials on the subject including this one.
This is not related to your problem, but the firmware is set up for the DRV8825 drivers. You will need to adjust the steps per mm. You may be able to do it from the display (if you have one). You can do it using the M92 g-code. After executing the M92, you will need to execute an M500 to lock the setting in. For the A4988, steps per mm for X and Y needs to be 100 and steps for Z need to be 200.
Ok so just did some troubleshooting, one of the Y motors wasn’t plugged in, aswell as the one that was plugged in being wired backwards lol, after fixing those it seems to be moving smoothly, I’ll have to borrow a multimeter and check the VREF soon.
