MKS Gen L - External Driver

[@speesy]

Thank you for your help. I learn a lot watching your videos. Thumbs up!

[@EdwardBraiman]

You're welcome.

[@markvasquez9486]

It looks like they are not running at the same speed , are they though... thanks a million! Great videos!

[@EdwardBraiman]

Not sure if they are running the same speed, but they can be tuned via the potentiometer. Just trying to show how to setup first then cover the advanced stuff later.

[@markvasquez9486]

I really apreciate the reply. I will have more questions later....

[@markvasquez9486]

Im in the process of building a MPCNC almost done printing parts i have all the hardwarw and electronics but i blew up my makerbot so im fixing to do a board change and drivers tomorrow.. so much to learn. Thank you for the information you are sharing.

[@EdwardBraiman]

Your welcome.

[@CiaranWhelan]

The easier way would be to add a Splitter cable to 2x TB6600 drivers off the external driver pins. You then only need to run a motor per high power driver. Much simpler and much neater solution.

[@EdwardBraiman]

True. Just keep in mind the board may have been designed for a single stepper in the z axis. In the case where people need a second stepper in the Z-axis, I would recommend using a RAMPS 1.4 solution. Your work around is another solution to the problem.

[@michaelbotha2488]

@@EdwardBraiman Will it work if I connect 4x High power drivers to the external driver pins?

[@christophsbraun5108]

Welche externen treiber unterstützt das Board? Ich benötige einen passenden treiber welche 80V kann...

[@EdwardBraiman]

Im Moment habe ich keine Stepper über 24 V getestet, aber ich habe gerade einen erhalten, der 60 V unterstützt und mit dem ich später in dieser Woche experimentieren werde.

[@nailgilaziev]

This external driver aimed only for Z axis? In other words it sync with main driver? Can it work independently from main Z driver? Can it be used for additional independent X2 motor or E2 motor in IDEX system?

[@EdwardBraiman]

It's possible to make it independent of existing steppers by using auxiliary pins and modifying pins file for board. In my RAMPS 1.4 playlist there is an example of adding a third extruder which might help. Poca.

[@alessandrofonseca7796]

Sorry about the pretty basic question. Why would you need an extra, external stepper controller for the z axis? In addition, Isn´t it possible to pair the Z socket with e1 socket to have double z motors if you don´t need a dual extruder? Thanks!!!

[@EdwardBraiman]

It's a great question, in my playlist there is multiple ways to move axes. Unfortunately i didn't do them in one video as some were based on questions from viewers later on. Still need to demonstrate dual x carriage, but still designing a printer carriage.

[@dylanbackus8827]

So what is the advantage of this over just using a parallel board and running both z steppers off the same driver

[@EdwardBraiman]

The optimal way to run is two on same stepper driver like on RAMPS 1.4. The reason for the tutorial was a user request for a work around for MKS Gen L board configuration.

[@waldvogelreview7755]

Hey ! How did you find out about these pins? I am looking for documentation. I am interested if I can omit the driver altogether, and just use the direction pins to go to external stepper drivers for larger NEMA 23 or NEMA 34 motors for a CNC machine. I already have a MKS Gen 1.4 and since it has the same pins, I am intrigued. Any information or resources to the documentation for the GEN L or other MKS GEN boards would be appreciated. I have yet to find a pinout or documentation that addresses what those pins do. Thanks for the video !

[@EdwardBraiman]

I'll see what I can find this weekend ...

[@waldvogelreview7755]

Edward Braiman I would appreciate it ! I am trying to find it But there are so many manufacturers now and most of them are Chinese. I am can’t seem to find a pin for pin diagram that says more than the PIN number A few I have found have many other task specific pin outs None of them address the pins you mention I would hope they are parallel PCB paths to the same pins into the stepper drivers.

[@nikkicork8815]

Hi, can add TB6560 drivers to the external driver pins? Many thanks

[@EdwardBraiman]

It's arriving today.

[@onewa712]

Question: is it possible to plug something with 5V intake to the borad? like a fan that runs on 5V, is it possible on an MKS Gen L?

[@EdwardBraiman]

5v fan is possible.

[@onewa712]

@@EdwardBraiman but, how? Like, I guess in the servo pins (4,5,6,11) but, I'm not an expert in this. Where/how would that be? I'm watching all your videos on the mks gen l btw, they are quite interesting

[@EdwardBraiman]

Thanks.

[@4666Robert]

I'm in the process of wiring my printer and I'm using the same board. What are the advantages of wiring the board as your video shows as apposed to connecting a parallel module to the Zed connection on the board? Great video by the way.

[@EdwardBraiman]

Robert Bustamante it depends on what kind of printer design your using. For instance I usually have two nema17 in the z axis, whereas other printer designs use only one. The reason was also to show what the pins do on the board for those who may not have experience with this board.

[@marcelofuture]

Hi Edward, amazing video. I was wondering if you know how to connect a iHSS57 motor to a mks gen l v1.0. I was trying to follow you but i think i just dont understand how it works, thnaks in advance.

[@EdwardBraiman]

There's a link in the description for discord either myself or someone else can help in General chat.

[@marcelofuture]

@@EdwardBraiman I don't see the link to discord. Am I looking to the right place?

[@EdwardBraiman]

It's also on the main channel. Click on Ed's 3d tech and there will be a link.

[@derrickrrockwell]

hi Edward Braiman, Thanks for all the videos you have done on the MKS Gen L board. I've been working on doing a conversion of an older Cubex printer to Marlin Open Source and these videos have helped to answer a lot of questions. I was wondering with the external stepper driver are the A4988 and the DRV8825 the only supported modules? My end goal with the printer is to make it as silent as possible and I would like to use the TMC2209 for the XYZ (the Y has two motors) and use something with a higher amperage like the DRV8825 to drive each of the two extruders. That; or was going to wire a motor in parallel but thought the driver might be a better option. Looking forward to more videos on this; maybe on even adding a heated bed and mosfet? :) Cheers,

[@EdwardBraiman]

Multiple types of driver modules can be used. Currently I have two more driver modules videos I want to do, but there have been many requests for calibration of stepper modules. I almost ready to record one of the two, but I'm still checking my math.

[@wrxsubaru02]

Is it possible to use the breakout boards on a non replaceable driver motherboard? example would be MKS Base with the external breakout board using something like tmc2208 driver. I'm guessing that is not possible but maybe it is?

[@EdwardBraiman]

Anything is possible. Sounds like a good idea. Keep in mind they now make SKR 1.3 board with built in design for steppers.

[@wrxsubaru02]

@@EdwardBraiman Oh I am not looking to do this as I only have boards with replaceable drivers now but it crossed my mind when i saw a breakout board in one of my aliexpress searches/recommended items. I am mainly curious because my original mks base board fried one of the built in drivers so I always wondered if it was possible... Do you think you could try a driver breakout board with a non replaceable driver board to see what happens? I am mostly curious about the marlin setup as it would be running through 2 drivers so not sure how that would work.

[@ColinKlapka]

Is there a way to connect to board for two extra extruders?

[@EdwardBraiman]

Maybe here is how to do one, but you might be able to decipher how to do two from this tutorial. kzbin.info/www/bejne/paKoq4t4rMSBoJI

[@3D_Printing]

MORE PLEASE MKS Gen L (2) Filament runout and BBT Smart Filament Runout and Servo port use *THANK YOU 200% for all the GREAT Helpful video's*

[@EdwardBraiman]

I'm working on a test bed printer for several tutorials, just waiting on parts.

[@MrVakulich]

Hi, thank you for the video! I see both steppers are synchronized so basically you can only have 5 axises with this mks board. Is there a way to connect this external stepper driver board so it wont be synchronized with one of existing axises on mks but be the 6th additional axis?

[@EdwardBraiman]

You could add additional axis with auxiliary pins. I've only tried 6, but some have done more.

[@pierresurleraux8951]

possibility for two extruders?

[@EdwardBraiman]

If you can find the available pins to run and modify pins file.

[@allenmaker2718]

Thank you! Do you think there is a way to connect external driver to MKS Base V1.5. ? I cant find any info..

[@EdwardBraiman]

That's a complex question. You would need to examine the pins file. My guess is yes, but you'll lose many auxiliary pins in the process. If you checkout my tutorial in RAMPS 1.4 on how to add an additional extruder it might point you in the right direction. Let me know how helpful or not it is. Keep in mind the tutorial is really old for Marlin firmware.

[@djmulder]

Hey there, would you happen to know if this would work for the Mks gen 1.4 controller board?

[@EdwardBraiman]

Yes.

[@djmulder]

@@EdwardBraiman yeah just paid more attention, ofc it would work as it's just a copy of 1 axis. What I need is one more stepper for an extruder as I'm going to feed 3 colors * grumbles * back to the drawing board

[@EdwardBraiman]

It's possible to add a third extruder. Check out my video in my RAMPS playlist for adding a third extruder.

[@djmulder]

@@EdwardBraiman cool thx will check it out

[@marekduranik3496]

Hello Edward: Is possible plug to this extender driver tmc2209?

[@EdwardBraiman]

In this use case it's possible, but you'll need to use pins on top of stepper and possibly configure pins file. Also exercise cation with underside of stepper.

[@marekduranik3496]

@@EdwardBraiman Which pins do you thinks? For UART connection? Pin R8 and UART? And which file? In marlin pins_MKS_ROBIN_NANO.h?

[@EdwardBraiman]

First try the signal pin for endstop you're using, if you're using one and fish pin as long as similar pin type as there maybe a signal or analog pin. The pins diagram should be your guild with pins file.

[@marekduranik3496]

@@EdwardBraiman When I add driver-extender according you how-to(video above) on z-axis, can I manage drivers via uart-pin on drivers via one cable(in serial connection) or I need attache to board two separately cable and in marlin pin file(pins_MKS_ROBIN_NANO.h) separately z2 line? #define Z_SERIAL_TX_PIN PC7 #define Z_SERIAL_RX_PIN PC7 part separately for z1 and fo z2

[@EdwardBraiman]

I might need to warn you of one issue that might occur in configuration I just thought of, you may need to add resistor off leads for external stepper board. I think it written in Marlin firmware.

[@nilssjoholm5173]

I'm building a corexy with dual z, is this the way to do it or is there other ways to do it?

[@EdwardBraiman]

If you mean two steppers for the z-axis yes. Keep in mind the stepper driver boards need to be calibrate with exact voltage values or they might be out of step. The RAMPS 1.4 has two motor pins already integrated into the z-axis. Otherwise you can use one stepper in center of build platform to lower and raise z-axis. The video was designed to show what the pins can be used for, but I would recommend only one motor unless you can calibrate exactly.

[@nilssjoholm5173]

A suggestion for a video. Use E1 for a second z stepper, Z_DUAL_STEPPER_DRIVERS and Z_DUAL_ENDSTOPS. I'm thinking of doing this on my build, the videos that I checked out looks awesome.

[@EdwardBraiman]

The video you requested is being uploaded. It might take a couple of hours to do the 80 language translations, but should be ready then.

[@weiweiweiwei1109]

Hi Edward Brainman, Great video. Thank you for sharing all the details. I need your wisdom. Is it possible to control the stepper motor by connecting the "stepper motor for arduino control" you use in this video directly to an Arduino? I really appreciate you sharing this video and hope to learn more from you as you are the only person online I have found taking about this External Driver. I'm trying to use an Arduino Nano to control a Nema 17 stepper motor without using a breadboard (Arduino to External Driver, Power to External Driver, External Driver to Stepper Motor). Is this possible? I'm new to Arduino. Anything you share is appreciated. Thank you Mr. Brainman. Great name. :-)

[@EdwardBraiman]

Arduino functions with a shield. The shield is powered by a 12 or 24volt power supply whereas Arduino functions of 5 or 3.3v logic. Remember power supplies vary accord to shield design, mean some do not use 24 volts.

[@weiweiweiwei1109]

@@EdwardBraiman Thank you Edward for you quick and helpful response about voltage. I greatly appreciate you guidance. I'm using the same shield as you in the video. The shield shows it should be used with a 9V1A Power as it's printed on the shield. I was just told that 9V1A seems a little low for a Nema 17. Did you have any trouble with this shield using 12 volts? I'm totally new to Arduino and want to make sure I could connect the Shields E, D and S pins directly to Arduino to control the Stepper motor. Does this sound right to you? In your video you connect them to another controller instead of directly to Arduino. Is it ok to connect this shields E, D and S pins directly to Arduino? Thank you again for your help. Say Healthy and Happy. Cheers.

[@EdwardBraiman]

Keep in mind an Arduino nano might not work as well as a Arduino Uno and between Arduino Uno and a stepper shield it costs about $10. Check out my playlist for RAMPS 1.4, it might be a better solution for what you're doing. Also do not run more than 5v through a Arduino. The shield power supply is separate.

[@workpeaceful9066]

work TMC2100 ?

[@EdwardBraiman]

It should, but I've never tried.

[@grumpydude1598]

i think i read somewhere that you can tell marlin to use say e01 as the extra z port?

[@EdwardBraiman]

Correct.

[@grumpydude1598]

thank you :) now to find material on ho to do this haha :D

[@EdwardBraiman]

Marlin firmware configuration adv.h

[@EdwardBraiman]

I'll be recording a video soon, got sidetracked with dual x carriages.

[@grumpydude1598]

ill be looking forward to it :) projects usually takes you deeper down the unknown :D

[@lozza1950]

this is a rediculous request.... how to open "FIND " dialogue box

[@EdwardBraiman]

Ctrl+f at same time on keyboard.

[@syedmraza-ca]

in a moment i willlllllllll in a sec i willllllll ... ... x100

[@EdwardBraiman]

Thanks.

[@syedmraza-ca]

@@EdwardBraiman Dont get me wrong love ur vids. Btw, do you know how to connect 12v fans directly to 12v PSU? I want to add coolers for all the stepper motors so that is 6 fans I need to connect directly to PSU if you know how plz msg me ty

[@syedmraza-ca]

something along the lines of a fan splitter for led psu used in 3d printers