Initialization Issues

#1

Just received the XY-Plotter DIY 2.0 with laser upgrade. I’ve got it all put together, mDraw is communicating with the plotter and all looks good until I actually try to accomplish anything with it. If I click inside the square to try to move the plotter to a specific position, it just runs all the way up the Y axis and grinds against the frame. The limit switches don’t appear to do anything as pushing any of them doesn’t make any noticeable difference.

I’ve checked my wiring 5 times over but there are so many different instruction sets that its hard to know which is the best one to go with.

I’ve tried looking around for a solution to the problem, but can’t find anything. I’m typically pretty good at finding related problems but this one has me stumped.

#2

The way I checked the wiring was to manually push each of the limit switches during a pure X or Y move. That was I knew that (1) the switches are wired at all and (2) which ones are wired to which ports.

Then you can either switch cabling to the right ports or adjust the arduino code to talk to the right pins. The pin numbers are printed on the board behind each of the ports so you can see what’s what there.

#3

I used the mDraw software to verify that each limit switch was engaging. Perhaps I’m missing something with regards to the arduino code. The kit I ordered came with a board and I assumed it was already programmed? I’ve updated the firmware in it to the latest version. The instructions didn’t mention having to do any additional programming.

#4

I’m afraid the software is a bit rubbish. If you don’t want to change the firmware then you just have to make sure that the wiring matches the current state of the firmare.

I found the following link very useful but it says that it’s for the gcodeparser firmware so ymmv:

#5

Also with me function the limit switches in mDrwa not as one would guess. The dive function is the basic position when the Homebutton is pressed.
The problem you described I know only with Benbox. I know also only there a function with the man the position of the laser can manually change.
I have it there the correct firmware to install.

#6

Hi Straes,

Gundelputz is correct, the limit switch in mDraw only take effects when Home button is pressed. They won’t take effect for other operation.
While if you use the Benbox software, all the limit switches will take effect.
Please note: You need set the microstep resolution to HHH when using the mDraw software, while set microstep resolution to HHL when using the mDraw software

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Since you mentioned that it’s hard to find the best instruction for XY plotter. You can refer to this link:
http://learn.makeblock.com/en/xy-plotter-robot-kit/
And you can download the package with all the instruction shows on below picture:
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#7