Mike, thanks for the reply, I have tried the above steps, no success, the Xloader just keeps saying "uploading", but nothing happens:

 

Have you tried using a different computer (with a known working COM port) ? If the controller still does not respond, it's probably at fault (or the cable if you used the same cable).

Or, try connecting something else (known to be working) to that COM port ? If it still works, it is not the port (neither the cable if you used the same one).

Check the cable as it is often the last thing we check when it should be the first.

These are often the easiest and quickest tests, but the last to be done in frustration.

 

So, tried different hardware at the various USB ports (external HD), no problems.... same issue. I have even tried different USB cables (went to my neighbor and got one from his USB HD). no success....

Don't know what to do anymore, any help appreciated ...... I have tried that Xloader again like recommended by Mike, same story, it hangs up....

 

Has anyone tried using this board with Nema 24 stepper motors?

 

Hello again
I got the same problem But I like to tried some od things and when I tried to load the firmware grbl 0.9 9600 baud rate and it works dont know how but it works but did not have all the new features when finish.

 

After testing all and every single setting, different USB cables, different computers, hrs of Baud rate changing, software de-install and re-install, trying to upload the provided firmware......NOTHING....


Still the same issue.

Can someone please send me details on how to return the board or whom to contact? I have read some good things about the board, but stumbled across some posts where users have similar / identical problems. If the board would have worked before I, at least, would have had a starting point, but no, it did not. If it was tested before shipped, like mentioned by Mike, then i assume it was damaged during transport, although, the package wasn't badly damaged. I don't know if the cold, when it was shipped, could have damaged it.

Question: would TinyG or another board / controller.... be more recommended or did I juts got a bad example of the Xpro board ?

Nevertheless, I want to return and not waste anymore time with it. I am out of ideas (perhaps I could try changing the baud rate at midnight with full moon and when standing on one leg...etc......)


Thanks,

a very frustrated customer......



any help comments and tips would be appreciated.....

 

Michael,
I really appreciate the quick response, and the willingness to take care of this issue, like a reputable company does.

I do understand that a 100% quality check is difficult, and after storing and shipping and handling, sensitive electronics products can be damaged.

I have send you an email with my contact info and postal address.

Thanks,

Bernd

 

Michael,
I am curious too, please keep in touch as soon as you have found the problems on my board.

Voltage was connected the right way ( I have double checked before I plugged it in)
There was connection from computer to the board,
There was connection from board to step motors (at start up I heard a click sound at the motors),
I have tried to flash the firmware after your instruction (with the *.hex file you have provided and one I have downloaded (0.9 GRBL *.hex file).

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.


Thanks.

 

Both computers I have tested it on are Windows 7 machines and downloaded a driver (USB _ serial).
Should I have tested with an XP computer ??

 

Mike, thanks for all your help here. I do not have a XP machine on hand. I will keep you updated as soon as I have received the board.


Thanks,


Bernd

 

As requested, here an update after some cuts, mainly ply 4mm thick.

I did find the RC spindle working pretty well with 24V PSU, quite strong, getting a bit more than warm, but still touchable without hurting the fingers. Max cut duration without pause has been 20 min.

Instead, what I'm struggling with, is the chattering of the steppers.
I'm using Nema 23 2,8A 1/8 step, and at low feed speed they are not moving smoothly.
Very precise, but chattering. Especially the double Y axes.
If I pump the current trimmer up on the xPro, I get chips overheating (mainly X ). Ruined already a couple of works because X stopped while Y continued moving.
Decreasing the A on xPro, eliminates overheating, but the chatter is more evident.

I have already a fan blowing directly on the board, so what I want to do as next trial is to put heat-sinks too. Need to find a way to keep them in place having the board secured vertically and the chips getting pretty warm, though.

 

There is a high temperature adhesive designed for just this purpose but (unless someone else knows) you will have to Google for the trade names of this product.

Tweakie.

 

Thanks, ordered! It should arrive in a couple of days.

 

Update:

After I have received the replacement board, I have installed it last weekend and, after initial adjustments, was able to do some test runs.

Regarding the controller board, everything runs fine now. I did, however, had some initial trouble with the start-up, which, turned out, was caused by the software(Grbl Controller).

Now, after using exclusively the Universal G-Code Sender, it seems like everything is running fine. I do have the slight suspicion that some of the trouble with the first board was caused by the initial usage of the wrong software (Grbl Controller).


Mike please keep me updated on your findings at the board.


Now, the only “problem” is some noise / sluggishness, in the Y axis. After doing some reading here, I assume this can be caused by not enough current supply to the motors. I am going to try to adjust the pots tonight.


Thank you all for your help and any further help / tips for a “rookie” would be appreciated.

 

I just got my Ox up and running but I am having a few problems with my xpro board that I am hoping someone can help me with.

First, I am trying to integrate a spindle and laser but I cannot get any output from the spindle enable and direction ports. I am using the M03/M3 spindle on g code command and I get 0 volts (checked with a multimeter) from the spindle enable port. I also do not get any output from the coolant enable port using the M07M7 and M08/M8 commands.

Second, I am not getting smooth movements at low speeds. The movement is quite jerky and seems to move in small pulses. I see that other people have had the same issue. I have added heatsinks as recommended in another post. I am also running 2 fans, one pushing air across the board and the other pulling air out of my enclosure. Neither the fans or the heatsinks had any effect on smoothness of the movements. I checked the temperature with a non-contact thermometer and the board/chip set seems to be running pretty cool. Also, the problem is constant, even at startup.

I am using a 24 volt power supply and tried both universal g code sender and grblcontroller. I use Yosemite on a mac but also tried on a windows 8 computer with the same result. I am running grbl 0.9.

Thank you for any help that you can provide!

 

Could some one post there Grbl v0.9 setting for the OX? I don't know where to start in dialing in the X PRO board.
Thanks.

 

I'm using the following. It works, not perfect though, as you can see from my previous posts.

Code:

$0=30 (step pulse, usec)
$1=255 (step idle delay, msec)
$2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000)
$3=6 (dir port invert mask:00000110)
$4=0 (step enable invert, bool)
$5=0 (limit pins invert, bool)
$6=0 (probe pin invert, bool)
$10=3 (status report mask:00000011)
$11=0.020 (junction deviation, mm)
$12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm)
$13=0 (report inches, bool)
$14=1 (auto start, bool)
$20=0 (soft limits, bool)
$21=1 (hard limits, bool)
$22=0 (homing cycle, bool)
$23=0 (homing dir invert mask:00000000)
$24=50.000 (homing feed, mm/min)
$25=1200.000 (homing seek, mm/min)
$26=250 (homing debounce, msec)
$27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm)
$100=26.670 (x, step/mm)
$101=26.670 (y, step/mm)
$102=199.000 (z, step/mm)
$110=7500.000 (x max rate, mm/min)
$111=7500.000 (y max rate, mm/min)
$112=1500.000 (z max rate, mm/min)
$120=100.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2)
$121=100.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2)
$122=100.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2)
$130=825.000 (x max travel, mm)
$131=1280.000 (y max travel, mm)
$132=43.000 (z max travel, mm)

 

I am using almost exactly the same settings as Macchp. If your machine is different the calculator from the link below is very helpful. http://prusaprinters.org/calculator/

 

Great I'll have a look, also do we know the default setting that the xpro is shipped with?
Thanks