External Drive Usage Tutorial

Servo Drive Configuration Guide

Notes

Prerequisites

• This tutorial is based on Klipper firmware configuration
• The module supports two wiring methods, please choose based on your actual situation
• After selecting a wiring method, ensure the hardware connection matches the chosen method

Module Selection

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• Standard Module
• 5V Boost Module

Applicable Motherboards: SUPER Series, GEMINI Series, E3 Series

Description: The driver pins on these motherboards output a 5V signal, which the driver can directly interface with, requiring no additional module.

Applicable Motherboards: D Series, C Series

Description: The driver pins on these motherboards output a 3.3V signal, which some drivers cannot use directly. Signal level conversion is needed via a 5V boost module.

Must test before use

After installing the 5V boost module, do not connect wires immediately. First, perform a voltage test according to the 5V Module Test Instructions below. Confirm the module works correctly before wiring.

Select Wiring Method

Please choose the wiring method corresponding to your hardware configuration:

Selection Advice

If unsure which method to use, refer to the driver module's manual or consult the manufacturer.

• Wiring Reference 1
• Wiring Reference 2

Wiring Diagram

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Wiring Diagram

• Connect the driver's PUL+, DIR+, EN+ to a common anode connection
• Connect the driver's PUL-, DIR-, EN- to DIR, STEP, EN

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Driver Microstep Setting

Simplified Setup

No need to configure any driver jumpers, microsteps are set directly via the driver's onboard DIP switches.

Driver DIP Switch Setting

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

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Microstep Setting Explanation

Core Calculation Formula

Pulses required per motor revolution = rotation_distance / step_distance

A more fundamental derivation:

Pulses required per motor revolution = full_steps_per_rotation × microsteps

Step-by-step configuration logic:

1. Determine motor inherent parameters: Common motor full_steps_per_rotation: 200 (200 full steps per revolution, i.e., 1.8°/step)
2. Set Klipper microsteps: Define in the configuration file, e.g., microsteps: 16
3. Match driver physical microstep: Based on the above settings and required precision, calculate and set the driver DIP switches
   • Recommended value for this tutorial: 200 (full steps) × 16 (Klipper microsteps) = 3200 pulses/rev
   • At this point, the driver needs to be set to 16 microsteps, and the DIP switch value should be set to 3200 (some drivers show the microstep count as 16, others show the pulse count as 3200; please refer to the driver manual to confirm)
   • This means the driver treats each pulse sent by Klipper as 1 microstep to execute

Configuration Level	Configuration Item	Setting Value	Description
Motor Parameter	Full steps per revolution full_steps_per_rotation	200	Motor inherent property, typically 200 (1.8°)
Klipper Configuration	Microsteps microsteps	16	Set in printer.cfg
Driver Hardware	DIP switch microstep value	3200 (16 microsteps)	Set via physical DIP switches
Final Effect	Pulses required per motor revolution	200 × 16 = 3200	Klipper needs to send 3200 pulses for the motor to make one full revolution

If other microstep effects are needed:

Follow the logic above, ensuring the Klipper configured microsteps (microsteps) aligns with the microstep setting on the driver's DIP switches. For example, if Klipper is set to microsteps: 32, the driver DIP switch should be set to 6400 (32 microsteps) to achieve a total precision of 200 × 32 = 6400 pulses/rev.

Klipper Configuration Reference

Configuration Item	Description	Configuration Example
Driver Type	No configuration needed; set physically via driver DIP switches	—
Microsteps (microsteps:)	Set to 16	Loading...
Step Pulse Duration (step_pulse_duration:)	Must add this parameter and set to 0.000004	Loading...
Enable Pin (enable_pin:)	Adjust based on driver logic: 1. Usually remove ! symbol (active high) 2. Some drivers require adding ! (active low) 3. In certain cases, delete this line (always enabled)	Active High Enable: Loading... Active Low Enable: Loading... Disable Enable: delete this line

Configuration Reference Diagram:

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Configuration Notes

Important Reminder

When using an external stepper motor driver, you must disable (add # at the beginning of the line to comment out) the corresponding driver configuration sections, such as [tmc5160 ...] or [tmc2209 ...], otherwise, configuration conflicts will prevent the driver from working correctly.

5V Module Test Instructions

Read before testing

This test is only for users using the 5V boost module (D Series, C Series motherboards). Standard module users can skip this section.

After installing the 5V boost module onto the motherboard, do not connect wires immediately. First, follow these steps to test if the module output is normal.

Test Steps

Step 1: Add Test Configuration

Add the following configuration to your printer.cfg file, ensure you modify the pins to correspond to your driver port pins:

[output_pin STEP]
pin: PC14

[output_pin DIR]
pin: PC13

[output_pin EN]
pin: PC15

Pin Notes

• Replace the PC14, PC13, PC15 in the example with the actual pins for your specific driver port.
• For example, if using the X-axis driver port, consult the motherboard schematic to find the corresponding pin numbers.

Step 2: Prepare Multimeter

1. Set the multimeter to DC voltage mode (20V range)
2. Connect the black probe to the motherboard's GND pin
3. The red probe will be used to test each signal pin

Step 3: Test EN+, PUL+, DIR+ Pins

These three pins should always output 5V:

1. Power on the motherboard (do not connect the driver yet)
2. Use the red probe of the multimeter to sequentially touch the module's EN+, PUL+, and DIR+ pins
3. Normal Result: All three pins should show a voltage of around 5V

Step 4: Test EN-, PUL-, DIR- Pins

These three pins need to be tested via Klipper control:

1. In the Mainsail or Fluidd interface, navigate to the Console
2. Test the EN- pin:
   • Enter command: SET_PIN PIN=EN VALUE=1 (Turn On)
   • Test the EN- pin with the multimeter; it should read 5V
   • Enter command: SET_PIN PIN=EN VALUE=0 (Turn Off)
   • Test the EN- pin again; it should read 0V
3. Test the PUL- pin:
   • Enter command: SET_PIN PIN=STEP VALUE=1
   • Test the PUL- pin; it should read 5V
   • Enter command: SET_PIN PIN=STEP VALUE=0
   • Test it again; it should read 0V
4. Test the DIR- pin:
   • Enter command: SET_PIN PIN=DIR VALUE=1
   • Test the DIR- pin; it should read 5V
   • Enter command: SET_PIN PIN=DIR VALUE=0
   • Test it again; it should read 0V

Test Result Evaluation

Test Item	Normal Result	Abnormal Result	Action
EN+, PUL+, DIR+	Always 5V	No voltage or abnormal voltage	Check module installation, power supply
EN-, PUL-, DIR- (VALUE=1)	5V	No voltage or too low	Check pin configuration, check module for damage
EN-, PUL-, DIR- (VALUE=0)	0V	Shows voltage	Check configuration, check module

After successful test

Only after confirming all test results are normal, should you power off and proceed with the official driver wiring.

Driver Pulse Anomaly Handling

Troubleshooting

If the following phenomena occur, try adjusting the pulse duration:

• Print shifting, layer misalignment
• Motor vibration, abnormal noise, or erratic 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

After each adjustment, save the configuration and restart Klipper, then test the effect.