Need suggestion regarding quad Z setup with duet 2
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Hi,
i have built a fully custom core xy machine with duet 2. It is the style of core xy printer where the bed moves down (not like on the voron where the printhead moves up).
This printer is built with a big 350x350mm build plate of thick machined aluminium. Currently I'm using two steppers with lead screws for the Z but it is extremely hard on the screws because of the weight. I need to convert it to a quad Z and I want to do that type of fixture when the bed is just resting on 4 pivot points.
my issue is the additional 2 steppers, the duet2 currently is maxed out. If I buy an expansion board for the duet can I still use the unused pins for things like buttons and other gpio? I have a lot of stuff connected to my expansion header at the moment and I dont fully understand how the expansion board works. I need 2 extra steppers and another 5ish gpio for my trinkets around the printer. -
@daninet A Duex5, which replicates GPIO pins from the expansion header (see https://docs.duet3d.com/Duet3D_hardware/Duet_2_family/DueX2_and_DueX5#inputoutput).
If that doesn't have enough outputs, you could connect a BTT-EXP-MOT to the CONN_LCD connector, and use it in step-direction mode, see https://github.com/bigtreetech/BTT-Expansion-module/blob/master/BTT EXP-MOT/BTT EXP-MOT V1.0User Guide.pdf. This would provide the two extra motor drivers, and leave the expansion connector free.Ian
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@droftarts thank you for your answer. Considering the friendly price of the BTT expansion module it seems like a good option. Am I losing the paneldue on my printer if I choose this?
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@daninet said in Need suggestion regarding quad Z setup with duet 2:
Considering the friendly price of the BTT expansion module it seems like a good option.
Don't forget you need to buy stepper drivers for it, too. I'm not sure if three stepper drivers are supported when connected to Duet 2, I think only two are.
Am I losing the paneldue on my printer if I choose this?
No, the BTT board connects to CONN_LCD, the PanelDue connects to CONN_SD, if you're using the ribbon cable (which is only needed if you want to use the PanelDue SD card). Otherwise PanelDue uses the 4-pin PanelDue connector.
For other options connecting external drivers (ie directly to the expansion header), see https://docs.duet3d.com/en/User_manual/Connecting_hardware/Motors_connecting_external
Ian
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@droftarts thanks for the last link I didnt see it. Connecting some break out boards to the expansion header is really viable option for me that is not messing with my existing setup. I will go that way.
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@daninet You are unlikely to have anything connected to CONN_LCD (unless you're running a 12864 display), so it won't be a problem using that, it's outputs for drivers are the same as the expansion header. The BTT board will just save you a bit of wiring.
Ian
