MKS gen2Z v1.1 Marlin configuration

Folks,
My vendor sold me an MKS gen2z v1.1 sincerely thinking it would be a better choice than a Ramps 1.4 and it is in many ways except I am now stuck with dual z axis which I don't need. Of the little information available, I gather that the second Z output is hardwired to the first but I just don't have a reliable copy of the Marlin.ino for that board to see how the pre-installed firmware is configured for it.

Can anyone provide a copy of the Marlin.ino that would come pre-loaded on that board? I asume it would be for the Prusa I3 as that seems to be the common machine using that board. Alternately, if you know of a way to reconfigure pins.h or configuration.h to re-assign or even swap the Z axis for another, I would be happy to do that. For example, if I could just swap the dual Z axis for dual Y axis that would be awesome.

Thanks

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2016 09:10PM by MikeP.

I have the same board as well and am having a tough time finding firmware and how to flash it. Is it flashable through usb or does it have to be ISP header and serial? I want to add a proximity sensor for leveling but have no idea on the firmware version on this board. Did you find anymore info or do you have any info that could help me? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

This is basically a single board version of arduino+ramps 1.4 so can be programmed with marlin or repetier firmware via usb using the arduino software.

Folks,
Update to this .... I did manage to configure Marlin to use the MKS board the way I needed and it continues to serve well. Now I am using the MKS gen V1.4 and all issues are resolved. Its a great board and I would recommend it for 3D or light CNC.

Hello I have a solution! The Author of this post is probably not looking for the solution anymore but who ever is reading this most likely still is.

The MKS 2Z boards are named "2Z" because the Z1 and Z2 are hardwired to the same Z stepper signal. So basically where other RAMPS boards would have had a E1 axis is just a second pinout to the same exact signal as on the Z1.

The solution to changing to a dual Y-axis you ask? I found two:

Solution 1 (both Y-axis will have the same signal)
In the pins_RAMPS.h file of marlin change the variable names (or pins) between Z and Y. This will then change your mirrored Z1 and Z2 port into Y1 and Y2 and the Y port will be your new Z

#define Z_STEP_PIN 60
#define Z_DIR_PIN 61
#define Z_ENABLE_PIN 56
#define Z_CS_PIN 49

#define Y_STEP_PIN 46
#define Y_DIR_PIN 48
#define Y_ENABLE_PIN 62
#define Y_CS_PIN 40

Solution 2 (this will let you control the Y axis individually and put Y2 on the extruder port)
Change the pins for E1 to E0 and vice versa. As the 2Z boards only has 4 individual stepper outputs this will remove the possibility to have an extruder but for a CNC you don't need one.
Your E0 port will now be Y2 after commenting and uncommenting the corresponding lines in the configuration_adv.h file

pins_RAMPS.h code to change to:

#define E1_STEP_PIN 26
#define E1_DIR_PIN 28
#define E1_ENABLE_PIN 24
#define E1_CS_PIN 42

#define E0_STEP_PIN 36
#define E0_DIR_PIN 34
#define E0_ENABLE_PIN 30
#define E0_CS_PIN 44

configuration_adv.h code to change to:

#define Y_DUAL_STEPPER_DRIVERS
#if ENABLED(Y_DUAL_STEPPER_DRIVERS)
// Set true if the two Y motors need to rotate in opposite directions
#define INVERT_Y2_VS_Y_DIR true
#endif



As I'm old school and of no interest in any other garbage like sensors and or end stops I made a modified version of marlin 1.1.6 with all of the 3D printer settings removed from the UI and only a move axis, set 0,0,0 and start machining operation from SD card.

well... it does have some tuning features like speed acc jerk and steps per mm still but those come in handy.