External Drive Usage

This page explains the common wiring, configuration, and debugging methods for external drives. The actual wiring and parameters should be based on the corresponding motherboard, drive, and machine structure.

Servo Drive Configuration Guide

Precautions

Prerequisites

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

Module Selection

Loading...

• Standard Module
• 5V Boost Module

Compatible Boards: SUPER series, GEMINI series, E3 series

Description: The drive pins of these boards output 5V signals, which the driver can directly use, requiring no additional module.

Compatible Boards: D series, C series

Description: The drive pins of these boards output 3.3V signals, which some drivers cannot directly use. A 5V boost module is needed to convert the signal level.

Test before use

After installing the 5V boost module, do not connect an external driver immediately. Complete the safety check according to the 5V Module Test Instructions below first, then proceed with wiring after confirming the module and configuration are normal.

Selecting the Wiring Method

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

Power off operation

Before selecting or changing the external driver wiring method, completely turn off the printer and disconnect the power supply. Do not wire, plug/unplug driver signal cables, or touch exposed terminals while powered on.

Selection Suggestion

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

• Wiring Reference 1
• Wiring Reference 2

Wiring Diagram

Loading...

Wiring Diagram

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

Loading...

Driver Microstepping Settings

Simplified Setup

No driver jumper configuration required. The microstepping is set directly via the driver's onboard DIP switches.

Driver DIP Switch Settings

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

Power off operation

Before adjusting the driver DIP switches, completely turn off the printer and disconnect the power supply. Do not toggle the driver switches while powered on.

Loading...

Microstepping Settings Explanation

Core Calculation Formula

Pulses Required Per Motor Revolution = rotation_distance / step_distance

A more fundamental derivation is:

Pulses Required Per Motor Revolution = full_steps_per_rotation × microsteps

Step-by-step Configuration Logic:

1. Determine motor intrinsic parameters: Common motors full_steps_per_rotation: 200 (200 full steps per revolution, i.e., 1.8°/step)
2. Set Klipper microsteps microsteps: Configure in the config file, e.g., microsteps: 16
3. Match driver physical microstepping: Calculate and set the driver DIP switches based on the above setting and required precision
   • Recommended value for this guide: 200 (full steps) × 16 (Klipper microsteps) = 3200 pulses/rev
   • At this point, the driver needs to be set to 16 microsteps, the DIP switch value should be 3200 (some drivers display microstep count 16, some display pulse count 3200, please confirm according to the driver manual)
   • This means the driver treats each pulse sent by Klipper as 1 microstep

Configuration Level	Configuration Item	Set Value	Description
Motor Parameters	Full steps per rotation full_steps_per_rotation	200	Motor intrinsic property, usually 200 (1.8°)
Klipper Configuration	Microsteps microsteps	16	Set in printer.cfg
Driver Hardware	DIP Switch Microstep Value	3200 (16 microsteps)	Physical DIP switch setting
Final Effect	Pulses Required Per Motor Revolution	200 × 16 = 3200	Klipper needs to send 3200 pulses for the motor to make one full rotation

If other microstepping effects are needed:

Follow the logic above, ensuring that the Klipper configured microsteps (microsteps) is coordinated with the driver DIP switch microstep setting. For example, if microsteps: 32 is set in Klipper, 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 by the 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 based on driver logic: 1. Usually remove the ! symbol (active high enable) 2. Some drivers require adding ! (active low enable) 3. In some cases, this line can be deleted (always enabled)	Active High Enable: Loading... Active Low Enable: Loading... Disable Enable: Delete this line

Configuration Reference Diagram:

Loading...

Configuration Precautions

Important Reminder

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

5V Module Test Instructions

Safety Boundary

This check is only for users using the 5V boost module (D series, C series boards). Standard module users should skip this section.

General users should not use probes to touch the module or board exposed pins while powered on. Electrical testing of exposed pins should be handled by after-sales service or personnel with electrical experience.

After installing the 5V boost module onto the board, do not connect the external driver immediately. First, follow the steps below to confirm the module, configuration, and wiring are without obvious abnormalities.

Test Steps

Step 1: Add Test Configuration

Add the following configuration to your printer.cfg file, remember to modify the pins to the corresponding driver port pins:

[output_pin STEP]
pin: PC14

[output_pin DIR]
pin: PC13

[output_pin EN]
pin: PC15

Pin Description

• Replace PC14, PC13, PC15 in the example with the actual driver port pins you are using
• For example, if using the X-axis driver port, find the corresponding pin number by consulting the board schematic

Step 2: Power off and check Module and Wiring

Power off operation

Before checking module orientation, connector, wire sequence, or replacing wiring, completely turn off the printer and disconnect the power supply. Do not plug/unplug the boost module, external driver signal cables, or touch exposed terminals while powered on.

1. Confirm the 5V boost module installation direction matches the board silkscreen and manual.
2. Confirm the EN, PUL, DIR, GND wire sequence matches the chosen wiring method.
3. Preferably use the manufacturer's finished module and finished wiring harness. Do not modify wires yourself.
4. Do not connect the external driver for now to avoid damaging the driver in case of configuration or wire sequence errors.

Step 3: Software Output Check

1. In the Mainsail or Fluidd interface, navigate to the Console.
2. Ensure no external driver or other actuating device is connected at this time, then execute the following commands sequentially to confirm no errors in the console:
   • SET_PIN PIN=EN VALUE=1
   • SET_PIN PIN=EN VALUE=0
   • SET_PIN PIN=STEP VALUE=1
   • SET_PIN PIN=STEP VALUE=0
   • SET_PIN PIN=DIR VALUE=1
   • SET_PIN PIN=DIR VALUE=0
3. If the command reports an error, first check the pin names in printer.cfg against the actual driver port used.

Step 4: Replace and Confirm

1. If the module or wiring appears visually abnormal, is heating, has an unusual odor, or the console continuously reports errors, immediately power off.
2. Cross-test using a known good 5V boost module, finished wiring harness, or another driver port.
3. If still unable to confirm, contact after-sales service for handling. Do not touch exposed pins or modify the module yourself.

Test Result Evaluation

Check Item	Normal Result	Abnormal Result	Action to Take
Module Orientation & Wire Sequence	Matches board silkscreen and manual	Installed backwards, misaligned, or incorrect wire sequence	Fully power off, reinstall, or replace with finished wiring harness
Console Commands	SET_PIN commands execute without errors	Pin doesn't exist or command fails	Verify printer.cfg pin configuration
Module/Wiring Appearance	No heating, unusual odor, damage, or looseness	Heating, unusual odor, damage, looseness	Immediately power off, replace module or wiring

After Check Passes

After confirming the appearance, wire sequence, and configuration are all normal, fully power off the device before proceeding with the formal driver wiring.

Driver Pulse Anomaly Handling

Troubleshooting

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

• Print model shifting, layer shifting
• Motor vibration, abnormal noise, or unusual 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.