This section is not for beginners, the intent of this section is to provide additional information for advanced users.

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GRBL Firmware Update (Needed for LaserMode)

GRBL is a firmware that runs on many CNC machine motion controllers, such as the X-Controller for the X-Carve. GRBL interprets the G-Code you send to it into the actions that your machine performs.

In-order to get the latest features of GRBL, like LaserMode, the latest version needs to be flashed. Not all CNC machines use GRBL. Nevertheless, the X-Carve and Shapeoko do. Outlined below is the process on how to update the GRBL firmware on your device.

Preparation

  • Download and install the Arduino IDE. (please find it at Arduino web-page)


Backup/Export

Before you update your firmware, it's recommended that you backup or export your settings. This can be done by sending GRBL the command "$$", the view grbl settings command.


NOTE: you can export your settings using Arduino IDE or Easel

  • Connect your computer to your motion controller, X-Controller, or GRBL Shield.

Arduino

  • Check Board
  • Arduino IDE: Tools > Board: "Arduino/Genuino Uno".
  • Check Port
  • Arduino IDE: Tools > Port: "COMX (Arduino/Genuino Uno)".
  • Open Serial Monitor
  • Arduino IDE: Tools > Serial Monitor.
  • Set Baud Rate
  • Change to "115200 baud", located at the bottom of the Serial Monitor.
  • Set Line Ending
  • Change to "Both NL and CR", located at the bottom of the Serial Monitor
  • Export Settings
  • Input and Send "$$".
  • Copy and Paste all the output in to a text file and then save it. These are your settings, you might need them later to restore from.

Easel

  • Insure that the Easel Driver is installed. You can find it at the Easel Inventables' web-page.
  • Go to: Machine > Advanced > Machine Inspector.
  • Export Settings
  • Once connected, you can scroll to the bottom. Copy and Paste all the output in to a text file and save it. These are your settings, you might need them later to restore from.

Flashing

  • Option 1: Flash pre-built GRBL binary.
  • Download the latest GRBL compiled binary release. (please visit GitHub -> GNEA -> GRBL -> Releases)
  • Example: "grbl_v1.1f.20170801.hex"
  • Follow the instructions found in GNEA GRBL Wiki: Flashing Grbl to an Arduino. (please visit GitHub -> GNEA -> GRBL -> Wiki)
  • Windows: use X-Loader to flash the binary.
  • Mac: use HexUploader to flash the binary.
  • Option 2: Compile and Flash GRBL with Arduino IDE.
  • Follow the instructions on the GNEA GRBL Wiki: Compiling Grbl (See link in the Option 1)
  • Download the latest GRBL source release, "Source code (zip)",  this contains the GRBL library.
  • Extract the grbl-x.x.YYYYMMDD.zip
  • Open and edit the "config.h" file. It can be found in the extracted subfolder "grbl".
  • Make the suggested changes to "config.h" noted in X-Carve GRBL-1.1f Settings gits.
  • Move subfolder "grbl" to the Arduino IDE library folder.
  • Open the Arduino Example "GrblUpload".
  • Arduino IDE: File > Examples > grbl
  • It can be found under Custom Libraries (at the bottom)
  • Flash the firmware.
  • Arduino IDE: Sketch > Upload.
  • After updating the firmware, check to make sure that everything is still working.
  • Configuration

Set GRBL Spindle RPM / Laser Output Range by sending GRBL the commands:
$30=1000        Max spindle speed, RPM
$31=0                Min spindle speed, RPM