XY Plotter V2 Limit Switches

#1

The limit switches do not switch either the X or Y axis off when “closed”. There are three connections on each limit switch. And the way I understand them to work is “common”, Normally Open, Normally Closed. That is left to right, with the “wheeled” switch lever connected to the left with wheel on right. Currently I have the wires connected to common and NOpen. So, does anyone have an insight on this being incorrect? What needs to change?

Limit 1, Slot 2 of Adapter 1, Port 3
Limit 2, Slot 1 of Adapter 1, Port 3
Limit 3, Slot 2 of Adapter 3, Port 6
Limit 4, Slot 1 of Adapter 3, Port 6

#2

Good question.
The same issues at me.

#3

I think you use mDraw and the official firmware
in that case the plotting field is smaller than the hardware field and it is your responsibility to stay inside the field with your draw
here you can read about how can you take notice of signs of limit switches

#4

I think I’ve figured it out. But it might not be the same for you. I’m using a mac, and the mDraw version they have in their zip file that also contains the manuals etc. contains an old mDraw version. As far as I know this old version doesn’t use the limit switches. When I tried the new software it seemed to work by clicking the home button. Also in the settings panel you can see if the switches work. If you press them manually the number changes from 1 to 0. Makeblock has made a big mess of all their files and manuals, making it extremely hard to understand.

I hope this works for you too, good luck!

#5

The xybot firmware in the official mDraw repository makes use of the limit switches for homing, but not for moving.

I made an improved version of the xybot firmware, but it is still an open pull request. But you can already use it if you want. There full limit switch support is available for the configuration shown in the assembly manual, besides some other improvements.
You can download it by navigating to “Files changed” -> “View” -> “Raw” and copy paste the content to a file named xybot.ino
Then open it with the Arduino IDE.
Download and install the MakeBlock libraries from here. Then you can specify the board and the port in the Arduino IDE and flash the xybot.ino to the controller.

#6

Why does Makeblock not fix this?

I have another bug: When pausing a laser plot in Mdraw, the laser won´t turn off. It does when the job is finished.

#7

I am on a mac and am using ardruino 1.6.7 and am very new to using it, is there a more in depth guide showing or explaining how to actually upload it the plotter

#8

Make sure that when you plug you’re Orion in USB that the computer recognizes it and sets up the COM otherwise there will be nothing in the drop down by the MDraw Connect button. Open MDraw, choose XY(Plotter), Update Firmware, Connect. That is all you need. You can move the plotter by clicking on workspace, then click home button. You have to do these steps each time.

Pausing the laser does not turn off the laser. You just have to be ready to click Enable Laser Mode on then off.

Limit switches work only going home. I have not tried the update on the firmware and probably won’t. It is not part of the Load/Start procedures in MDraw so if it goes out of range you’re not going to like the grinding sounds that it makes. Make sure you always go home before starting or shut it off and manually place it home. You can load an svg and check top right by clicking top right of what was loaded. I have not been happy with scaling and what I load typically has to be reduced (guess) and not being exact as CAD is a headache. There is probably an INO file I don’t know about.

#9