PiBot FluidNC ESP32 GRBL Laser CNC Controller V4.9 Plus

What is it

This was designed to control a wide variety of CNC machines. It can control 6 motors and many spindle and laser types. It is very easy to configure. You never have to compile any software. All configuration, upgrading, etc can be done via web browser.

Designed for FluidNC ESP32 GRBL CNC.

Compatible with the official original firmware, we provide yaml configuration file.

Feature

Integrated ESP32 (Programmed with FluidNC. Includes a generic configuration)

(6) Motor connectors for external stepper drivers (5v signals). Each motor has separate step, direction and enable signals.

Inputs for switches (limits, probes, control, etc)

Communication Mode: USB Cable or Blue Tooth or WIFI

Spindles (many types supported). Some multi-spindle arrangements are possible like RS485 & laser on the same machine.

0-10V controlled spindles with additional forward and reverse direction signals

PWM Speed controllers with optional separate enable signals

Relay (on/off) controlled spindles.

BESC (Brushless Motor) based spindles

Lasers with PWM and enable

Unused spindle 5V outputs can be used for any output function (coolant, etc)

Micro SD card socket for local storage of gcode files

Module socket for GPIO extenders and Pendant interfaces.

Compatible with PiBot Stepper Motor Driver Rev2.3 TOSHIBA TB6600 (3.3V 5V or Dgnd logic max Output 4.12 - 4.5A)

Compatible with PiBot Isolated Relay Board Rev2.3

How it works

Video Toturials for Step 0 ~ Step 4

Notice：We have Uploaded and tested the Firmware and WebUI before Shipped, If you have OLED, it will display when plugged in.

The V4.9 plus and V4.8A V4.9A is similar config, different is the v4.9 plus onboard driver "MS3 pin" need set in yaml.

Video Toturials for Step5 (1)

Video Toturials for Step5 (2~3)

Step 0: Preparation: Download the following four files you need:

A. USB driver

B. ESP32 firmware

C. fluidnc web ui files: index.html and ico

D. YAML sample

Click here to download all at once.

https://www.pibot.com/dls/fluidnc/V49p-usb-driver-firmware-webui-yaml-example.zip

If you need the latest software version, please download the latest release version from the fluidnc official website. We are compatible.

Step 1: Install USB driver

(1) Insert the file A prepared earlier into your computer.

(2) If not installed correctly, install manually.

(3) Open "My Computer," go to Device Manager, and navigate to COM ports.

(4) Update the driver, select "Install from Local," and choose all.

(5) After installation, a CP2102 will be displayed, remember this port number.

Step 2: Upload fluidnc-grbl firmware (Firmware upload)

(0) Connect via Type-C to your mainboard and power with 12V or 24V (theoretically, 9-30V is acceptable).

(1) Insert file B prepared earlier into your computer.

(2) Double click to open the WiFi version.

(3) If successful, it will install automatically; if not, press the boot button for three seconds and release to trigger automatic download.

(4) After download, select option 5.

(5) Disconnect power, wait for five seconds, then reconnect and restart the MCU.

Step 3: Upload files required for fluidnc-WEB interface (Install web UI)

(1) After restarting the MCU, you'll find fluidnc in your computer's WiFi network.

(2) Connect to it with password 12345678.

(3) Once connected, enter 192.168.0.1 in your browser.

(4) Upload the required files, do not interrupt the process.

(6) After upload, you'll see the option to enter the web-fluidnc interface.

Step 4: Upload YAML configuration file required for CNC and configure your network (Configure your machine)

(1) Inside the interface, click here to proceed.

(2) Upload the YAML file you need for testing purposes. After testing, modify it according to your CNC requirements using this template.

(3) Click "Set" when done.

(3) Here, you can also configure your LAN access, refer to details.

(4) Disconnect power, wait for five seconds, then reconnect and restart the mainboard.

(6) The mainboard is now ready to work. If you have OLED, you can see basic information.

Step 5: Hardware Test Example

(0) Mainboard pinout diagram.

(1) Relay // PWM // 0-10V output test example in default YAML configuration. (use webUI test)

By default, GPIO 26 serves as a relay output. You can also change its jumper to use it for input. Insert on the left for relay operation and insert on the right for terminal operation.

A. Open the webUI page.

B. Click the unlock button.

C. Enter M6 to display the default tool, T0 as a relay.

D. Enter M6 T0 to test PWM.

Enter M3 S255, you will hear a ticking sound, indicating it has started working.

Enter command M5 to stop.

E. Enter M6 T1 to test PWM.

You will see IO.4 port blinking.

F. Enter M6 T2 to test Laser.

You will see IO.12 port blinking.

G. Enter M6 T3 to test 0-10V.

You will see IO.13 port blinking.

H. Enter M6 T4 to test 485.

You will see IO.14 IO.15 port blinking.

Advanced Test 1: If you connect an oscilloscope, you will see the PWM waveform changing.

Advanced Test 2: If you connect an multimeter you will see the 0-10v voltage changing.

Advanced Test 3 If you connect a frequency converter via RS485, you will see the register value changing （or use MODBUS simulation）

(2) Internal drive schematic (using the YAML provided as a sample) (use openbuild control software test)

A. Stepper motor drive pin jumper settings as shown in the diagram:

B. V4.9P NOW Only support “en dir clk gnd model”, if you use TMC5160 please set to "en dir clk gnd" model,

(we tested some spi driver, some works, some no works, so the spi only for the develop test, may damage the borad if the 3.3V and 5.0V incompatiable, we don't provide support)

Advanced Test 4: Use OpenBuild controller to test PROBE and limit switch triggering.

Advanced Test 5: Use OLED to test limit switch triggering.

YAML EXAMPLE:

     stepstick:
        step_pin: I2SO.10
        direction_pin: I2SO.9
        disable_pin: I2SO.8
        ms3_pin: I2SO.11:high

##### stepstick MODEL can use for onboard driver output,
##### for example: A4988 MS1 MS2 can be set in the plugnut, and the ms3 can set in this yaml file such as "ms3_pin: I2SO.6:high"
##### notice: don't plug the capnut when use this model
##### the output signal from the TB4-Y IS "2B 2A 1A 1B"

(3) External drive schematic (using the YAML provided earlier as a sample)

A. It is recommended to use an independent power supply for external power.

B. Compatible with hardware REV2.3 relay.

C. Compatible with hardware REV2.3 TB6600 or DM420 driver etc.

YAML EXAMPLE:

      standard_stepper:
        step_pin: I2SO.2
        direction_pin: I2SO.1
        disable_pin: I2SO.0:low

##### standard_stepper MODEL can use for extend driver output 
##### for example: plug on the capnut H4, 
##### the output signal from the TB4-X IS "EN STP DIR GND" to driver
#####// for some extend driver need ":low" the en signal        
#####//direction_pin is used to control the direction. You can invert the direction by changing the active state attribute (:high or :low)