External Drive Usage Tutorial

Precautions

Prerequisites

• This tutorial is configured based on Klipper firmware.
• The module supports both common cathode and common anode wiring methods. Please choose according to your actual situation.
• After selecting the wiring method, ensure the hardware connection matches the chosen method.

Module Selection

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• Standard Module
• 5V Module

• This module is suitable for SUPER series, GEMINI series, and E3 series.
• Reason: The driver pins on these mainboards output a 5V signal, which is directly compatible with the driver.

• This module is suitable for D series and C series.
• Reason: The driver pins on these mainboards output a 3.3V signal. Some drivers cannot be used directly and require a boost module.

Select Wiring Method

Please select the corresponding wiring method based on your hardware configuration:

Selection Suggestion

• If you are unsure which method to use, please refer to the driver module's manual.

• Common Cathode Wiring
• Common Anode Wiring

Common Cathode Wiring Diagram

This wiring method is suitable for driver modules configured for common cathode.

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Common Anode Wiring Diagram

This wiring method is suitable for driver modules configured for common anode.

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Driver Microstepping Setting

Simplified Setting

• No driver jumper configuration is required. The microstepping is set directly by the driver DIP switch.

Driver DIP Switch Setting

It is recommended to set the driver's onboard DIP switch to 3200.

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Microstepping Setting Explanation

Core Calculation Formula

Pulses per motor revolution = rotation_distance / step_distance

A more fundamental derivation is: Pulses per motor revolution = full_steps_per_rotation × microsteps

Step-by-step configuration logic:

1. Determine motor intrinsic parameters: Common motors have full_steps_per_rotation: 200 (200 full steps per revolution, i.e., 1.8°/step).
2. Set Klipper microsteps microsteps: Set in the configuration file, e.g., microsteps: 16.
3. Match driver physical microstepping: Calculate and set the driver DIP switch based on the above settings and the required precision.
   • Recommended value in this tutorial: 200 (full steps) × 16 (Klipper microsteps) = 3200 pulses/revolution.
   • At this point, the driver DIP switch needs to be set to the corresponding 3200 (32 microsteps), meaning the driver will subdivide each received "step pulse" into 32 parts to drive the motor.

Configuration Level	Configuration Item	Setting Value	Explanation
Motor Parameter	Full Steps per Revolution full_steps_per_rotation	200	Motor intrinsic property, typically 200 (1.8°)
Klipper Config	Microsteps microsteps	16	Set in printer.cfg
Driver Hardware	DIP Switch Microstep Value	3200 (32 microsteps)	Set by physical DIP switch
Final Effect	Pulses per Motor Revolution	200 × 16 = 3200	Klipper needs to send 3200 pulses to rotate the motor one full revolution

If other microstepping effects are needed: Please follow the above logic to ensure that the Klipper configured microsteps (microsteps) are coordinated with the driver DIP switch microstep setting. For example, if set to microsteps: 32 in Klipper, the driver DIP switch should be set to 1600 (16 microsteps) to achieve a total precision of 200 × 32 = 6400 pulses/revolution.

Klipper Configuration Reference

Configuration Item	Explanation	Configuration Example
Driver Type	No configuration needed, physically set by driver DIP switch	—
Microsteps (microsteps:)	Set to 16	Loading...
Step Pulse Duration (step_pulse_duration:)	This parameter must be added and set to 0.000004	Loading...
Enable Pin (enable_pin:)	Adjust according to driver logic: 1. Usually remove the ! symbol (active high) 2. Some drivers require adding ! (active low) 3. In some cases, you can delete this line (always enabled)	Active High: Loading... Active Low: Loading... Disable Enable: Delete this line

Configuration reference diagram:

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Important Notes

• After using an external stepper motor driver, you must disable (e.g., by adding a # comment at the beginning of the line) the corresponding driver configuration sections.
• Such as [tmc5160 ...] or [tmc2209 ...], etc. Otherwise, configuration conflicts will cause the driver to malfunction.

Driver Pulse Anomaly Handling

Troubleshooting

If the following phenomena occur, you can try adjusting the step pulse duration:

• Printed model offset, layer misalignment
• Motor vibration, abnormal noise, or irregular operation

Adjustment Method:
Gradually increase the value of step_pulse_duration, for example:

1. Try 0.000009
2. Or 0.00001
3. Or 0.00002

Test the effect after each adjustment.