I have an MPCNC I built in 2019 with an Arduino Mega + RAMPS 1.4 + RepRapDiscount Full Graphic Smart Controller. It had one end stop switch per axis. It ran Marlin 1.0 and I used the MPCNC_Fusion360_V10_SDcard post processor with fusion 360 to create Gcode. I bought the Arduino preloaded with the Marlin firmware and he Ramps 1.4 from V1 Engineering. Everything worked fine until Fusion 360 upgraded and now it does nothing when I try to run a post processed file.
I did a upgrade to rebuild my MPCNC to a Primo. It looks most people now are using dual endstops and Marlin 2.x with the V2.1 of the Flyfisher604 F360 post processor.
I have no idea how to get from where I am to where I need to go. I would love help with the following:
Is there a wiring diagram that would show me how to go to the dual endstop configuration with instructions?
Is there a Marlin 2.x configuration available for the Primo MPCNC and what edits do I need to make for it to run with my hardware setup and machine configuration?
Will the V2.1 of the Flyfisher604 F360 post processor work for me with Fusion 360? Will I need to make edits to it for my application?
Any and all help, advice, resources would be greatly appreciated.
The first question is whether you’ve got a separate stepper driver for each of the motors. If not, you’ll need to add two in order to get to a dual-endstop capable setup. If you already have 5 drivers, all you should need to do is add the 2 additional endstop switches and then you should be able to update the Marlin firmware.
About the most common mistake reported on the forums when making this change is making sure the X1 endstop matches the X1 motor (and so on for the X2, Y1, and Y2 motors and endstops). The good news is it’s easy to move the endstop plugs around without having to recompile if they don’t match up the first time.
Check out the instructions and links on the Dual Endstops section of The Docs. It’s been a while since I ran a RAMPS board, and I’m not sure how recently the Marlin Builder setup has been updated, but the expertise needed to get you up and running is around here someplace.
Thanks for getting back to me. I was out of town for a few days and did not have access to a computer. I currently have the two x axis steppers wired in parallel as well as the two y axis steppers driving each pair run off of only one stepper driver each . I built my MPCNC prior to the dual endstop arrangement was a thing. Is it possible to use a Ramps 1.4 board utilizing the 5 drive slots to do one driver per stepper motor. I think the original use for the Ramps board was for one driver per axis + two drivers available for up to two extruders.
Running two motors off of one driver is referred to in the Docs as “series” since the A motor windings for both motors are in series on one of the driver outputs and the B motor windings are in series on the other driver output on each stepper driver.
Unless you’re planning to mount hot ends/extruders, I’d rewire the Xs and Ys so you can do dual endstops/auto homing.
I’m getting ready to do this on my Burly when I replace the CNC shield (limited to 3 axis plus one clone) to a Jackpot. I’ll need to run fresh extensions to one of my X and one of my Y motors but I’m eager to get the auto-squaring in place. But then, I like to tinker.
Just to confirm: It is possible to use one driver per stepper on the Rambo 1.4. The second hand Primo which I bought was built in that configuration (with the same hardware that you have). Unfortunately, I didn’t run it that way myself, so I don’t know if I can help you get it running. I should have the source code for the firmware configuration, so if you need any specific info about that I might be able to find it in there. Never looked at it before though.
(in fact, I haven’t really run it at all yet. I didn’t like the way the wiring was done, and I have sourced a Jackpot 1, so I’m rewiring/rebuilding it. Doing things neat takes time. I’ll probably start a build log in the near future).
I’m kind of at a similar place with my rebuild. I am going to have to run extension wiring to one each of my X and Y. I looked at it the other night to see what is involved and questioned whether I’m crazy to do it. It hopefully is not as big of a deal as it looks. My big concern is not really knowing what I am doing upgrading from Marlin 1.0 to Marlin 2.x when it comes to setting up all the parameters in Marlin. Also knowing how to set up the other X and Y on the Ramps 1.4 board.
I will be interested in hearing how your Burly rebuild goes.
Yes I am somewhat locked into the Marlin firmware since I have heard it is best with Fusion 360. I also have to upgrade from Marlin 1.0 to Marlin 2.x shaky territory for me.
I’m dragging my heels a little because I know I don’t want to try and put the Jackpot in the same controller enclosure my CNC Shield is currently in, but I’ve got relays and buck converers (for fans) and a cobbled together PWM control with LCD screen all fitted in there. I need to figure out where to put it all. I also used aviation connetors, so need to decide if I’m going to do that for the new layout.
I want to get my Primo running with the current version of Fusion 360, but the learning curve is steep. I’m looking at this process as much as a learning process as it is a way of getting my MPCNC going again.