Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+

David_Wells

@fcwilt Fredrick - Thanks very much. at the moment I have 1 endstop.

David_Wells

@phaedrux Thanks - Looking at the board layout, it does not look like the Duet 3 mini has two Z sockets wired in series. Or am I wrong? David

fcwilt

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

@phaedrux Thanks - Looking at the board layout, it does not look like the Duet 3 mini has two Z sockets wired in series. Or am I wrong? David

No it does not.

But as you wanted separate drivers for each Z stepper that should not be an issue.

Frederick

David_Wells

@david_wells I appreciate that, thanks - My concern is that the two sides are quite rigidly connected, I really don't see how the two Z motors could move independently other than very slightly. Are there printers where they could move independently?

David_Wells

@fcwilt Fredrick - The mods of the config file seem quite straight forward, Um just one question; Where do I find this config file?
Is there a general guide to these parameters? So I guess 2 questions.
Much appreciated. I have a number of printers, just never had the time / inclination to try and sort them out when they do not perform well. They just go on the pile to be dealt with later. Later has arrived.
David

fcwilt

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

@david_wells I appreciate that, thanks - My concern is that the two sides are quite rigidly connected, I really don't see how the two Z motors could move independently other than very slightly. Are there printers where they could move independently?

Hi,

That configuration info I posted was for this printer having Z steppers. Each stepper supports the bed on what is know as a kinematic mount. They allow a decent range of independent Z movement as shown in this quick-and-dirty video I made:

Printer with 3 Z Setppers

And as you suspect typical mounts are going to allow little independent movement but it can be enough to get the gantry level.

Frederick

fcwilt

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

The mods of the config file seem quite straight forward, Um just one question; Where do I find this config file?

Typically configuration files are located in the System folder accessible via the Duet Web Control interface. If you enable FTP on the Duet you can access them via an FTP client.

Here you can see a few of the configuration files for one of my printers:

Config File Access.png

Is there a general guide to these parameters?

Duet Gcode Dictionary

Much appreciated. I have a number of printers, just never had the time / inclination to try and sort them out when they do not perform well. They just go on the pile to be dealt with later. Later has arrived.

Feel free to contact me if you need assistance.

Frederick

David_Wells

@fcwilt Very cool, thanks, so two points "float" on bearings, and the centre is constrained? May I ask why?

fcwilt

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

@fcwilt Very cool, thanks, so two points "float" on bearings, and the centre is constrained? May I ask why?

Actually that video was made when the printer was using a different setup then I am now using. The original design was flawed due to a misunderstanding on my part and used for one of the points a ball-in-grove which should have been a ball-on-plate. Rather then fix it I changed to a simpler design using three ball-in-grove points.

Frederick

David_Wells

@fcwilt Fredrick - I assume that Duet Web control has to be loaded onto the Duet? I sure can't see how to do that. My preference is to start off basic. Do I assume that the config file is on the SD card? This Duet, came with an essentially blank SD card, so it has taken a bit of messing around to even get the led's blinking.
What I notice with the documentation, is that is seems to assume that you know what you are doing. Unfortunately, I don't. I am reasonably tech competent but my first venture into reprap. Thanks again
David

fcwilt

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

@fcwilt Fredrick - I assume that Duet Web control has to be loaded onto the Duet? I sure can't see how to do that. My preference is to start off basic. Do I assume that the config file is on the SD card? This Duet, came with an essentially blank SD card, so it has taken a bit of messing around to even get the led's blinking.
What I notice with the documentation, is that is seems to assume that you know what you are doing. Unfortunately, I don't. I am reasonably tech competent but my first venture into reprap. Thanks again
David

It's late and I am heading to bed but will be glad to assist you tomorrow.

Frederick

Phaedrux

Here is a guide that goes through start to finish setup and commissioning of a duet printer.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Guide/Ender+3+Pro+and+Duet+Maestro+Guide+Part+1:+Wiring/37

Starts with wiring and goes from there.

The SD card contains the configuration files, the web interface files, and your sliced gcode files to print. The SD card you received with the printer should contain everything needed already and you should be able to do a basic configuration and connect to it.

Here's a guide that covers that and is a great place to start. https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Guide/1.)+Getting+Connected+to+your+Duet/7

You might also like to checkout the Duet Web Control manual that will show you around the web interface.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duet_Web_Control_v2_and_v3_(DWC)_Manual

David_Wells

@phaedrux
Thanks, but my SD card had no files on it, just a couple of empty folders. I have been trying to build the contents of the SD card one bit at a time. Which is why I had such a battle getting the USB communications going. Is there a zip of what should have been the original contents?
Thanks
David

David_Wells

@phaedrux Further to above - I have been working my way through that - initial problem was there was nothing on the SD card, I was / am using the get started, have been for several weeks. However when it says to do something, it does not, because the drivers etc are missing from the Duet. I downloaded YAT, no communication, tried all the possible communications many times, downloaded Pronterface, exactly the same problem. Eventually you pointed me to some files, I put them on the SD card, and the status LED started to flash. At this point I got serial communications. A staggering amount of time has goin into, to this point. Duet Web Control does not find it, I expect because of my router setting 192.168.4.1. Now I am trying to figure out how to set the default IP address in the Duet to something that I can communicate with. I have gone through a lot of the DWC manual, but it seems to assume that you can connect, which I can't.

fcwilt

@david_wells

Well the Duet should have included a working SD card with the basic set of files to allow you to communicate via the USB port.

I gather you have got that working now?

Frederick

Phaedrux

You can get some info on what the SD card should contain here: https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/SD_Card

Otherwise, you can get the basics from the config tool as well.

https://configtool.reprapfirmware.org/Start

David_Wells

@fcwilt - indeed it should have, it did not. What a pain. I would buy another just to get the files, but am afraid that it might come without. I ran the config tool, created the files, put them on the disk, got serial comm going. I would like the wifi connection, but until I can change the default IP address to something that my router can see, I am stalled. It seems like a nice bit of equipment, but pretty frustrating that it was not shipped in a runable condition. I may have to set up an old wifi router to connect to it. I should have ordered the ethernet version and i could easily connect, thanks for your help.
David

Phaedrux

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

I would like the wifi connection, but until I can change the default IP address to something that my router can see, I am stalled.

Here's a guide that covers that and is a great place to start. https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Guide/1.)+Getting+Connected+to+your+Duet/7

fcwilt

@david_wells said in Configuration for 2 Z axis motors - Duet 3 mini 5+:

@fcwilt - indeed it should have, it did not. What a pain. I would buy another just to get the files, but am afraid that it might come without. I ran the config tool, created the files, put them on the disk, got serial comm going.

Well if you can connect via a terminal emulator (many to chose from) you are well on your way to having a WiFi connection. A few commands to set the SSID and PASSWORD and it should connect.

I see the link to the guide has already be posted.

Frederick

David_Wells

@fcwilt - Thanks - will press on. appreciated - I understand that it is a great learning process, but it eating up way more time than I anticipated, and I have not even started trying to configure the printers. I am converting two Rigidbots, regular and large, a smaller, but mechanically very nice printer (with terrible software), and eventually a really expensive Roland 3 axis engraver that has had the electronics crater. But to get the first one running.