Jessie Taylor
If you're looking to get your CNC 3018 machine up and running, you'll need to sync the port with Candle software. The CNC 3018 is a popular, affordable machine, but getting it to work with Candle can be a challenge. To get started, you'll need to install the drivers and set the working coordinate origin. Then, check that your COM port is working and that the GRBL software matches the port being used. If you're having issues with the port, try unplugging the power supply, USB cable, and controller, then plugging them back in and checking for any shorts or disconnects. With a little troubleshooting, you'll be well on your way to syncing your CNC 3018 with Candle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Problem | CNC 3018 open port issue |
| Issue | COM Port opened in Candle |
| Cause | Bad cable, outdated GRBLControl software, outdated drivers |
| Solutions | Check cable, update GRBLControl software, update drivers |
| Additional Steps | Verify port, check power supply and connection, adjust probe command |
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What You'll Learn
Check your COM port in Candle
If you are experiencing issues with your CNC 3018 GRBL Candle, checking your COM port in Candle is a good place to start troubleshooting. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you check your COM port in Candle:
Step 1: Check Your Device Manager
On your computer, open the Device Manager. For Windows, you can press the Windows key + "Device Manager". Look for "Ports (COM & LPT)". If you are using a CNC 3018, you should see an entry for "USB Serial Device (COMxx)", where "xx" is a 1 or 2-digit number. This is the COM port that your GCode Sender, such as Candle, needs to use.
Step 2: Match the COM Port in Candle
Open the Candle software and go to Service > Settings to set the correct COM port. Make sure that the COM port in Candle matches the one you found in the Device Manager. If no ports are visible, click the refresh icon.
Step 3: Check Your Cable and USB Port
If you do not see any COM ports in the Device Manager, the issue could be with your cable or USB port. Check that your cable is connected properly and try using a different cable if possible. Additionally, try using a different USB port for the connection.
Step 4: Reinstall the Driver
If you are still not detecting any COM ports, try reinstalling the driver. Download the driver again and reinstall it, ensuring that your USB connection is secure.
Step 5: Check Status in Candle
Once your COM port is set up correctly, check the status in Candle. If it is connected, the status should read "Idle". If it shows any other status, it is not connected properly.
By following these steps, you can check your COM port in Candle and ensure that it is set up correctly for your CNC 3018 GRBL Candle.
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Ensure your cable is working
To ensure your cable is working, you can try the following steps:
First, unplug the power supply, USB cable, and controller directly from the GRBL control board. Then, plug in the power supply and push the power button. Check if the board light turns on and if the fan starts spinning. If not, check the power supply and connection for output and any unwanted shorts or disconnects.
If the controller is working, check the COM port in Candle and ensure it is the right one. The status should read "IDLE" if it is connected. If it reads "Port Opened", it is not connected.
Additionally, open the console (usually in the lower right corner) and type "$$" (display GRBL settings). If connected, you should see a long list of lines that look like "$nnn=
You can also check if your cable is working by observing the behaviour of the machine. If the only response is the control changing colour when you turn the spindle on, your cable may be faulty.
For a Minimill CNC machine, connect the mill to your PC with the USB cable. Windows 10 and Macs should automatically recognise the Minimillr as a USB Serial Device and install the correct drivers. If not, insert a memory stick and run "Install Driver" to install the USB-Serial driver. You can check if the drivers are installed by looking in the Device Manager, where the mill will appear under the Ports section.
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Check your controller is working
To check if your controller is working, you must first ensure that your CNC is connected.
If you are using a Windows device, open the device manager and scroll down to Ports (COM & LPT). Here, you should see an entry for "USB Serial Device (COMxx)", where "xx" is a 1 or 2-digit number. This is the port your GCode Sender needs to use. If you don't see a COM port, your cable is likely faulty.
Next, you need to check if the GCode Sender (Candle) on your PC is communicating with Grbl on the controller. To do this, type ""$$" (display Grbl Settings)" in the console (usually found in the lower right corner). If connected, you should see a long list of lines that look like "$nnn=
If you are using a 3018-PRO CNC, you should never see the "Alarm" state and should go straight to "Idle" after connecting. For GRBL-based CNCs, you should see the Alarm" state before loading your project, which should then change to "Idle". If you are seeing the "Alarm" state, something has gone wrong. Common causes for this include your CNC being connected to more than one device at a time, or the emergency stop switch being triggered.
If you are using a 3018-PROVer or PROVerXL 4030, the Baud Rate will always be 115200. With the correct baud rate set up, you can then find the correct port for connecting your CNC.
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Upgrade to GRBL 1.1
Upgrading the GRBL on a CNC 3018 Pro router involves updating the GRBL firmware. The CNC 3018 Pro is a low-cost CNC router that is typically used with wood and acrylic plastic, but can also be used with soft metals like aluminium.
The process of upgrading to GRBL 1.1 is not straightforward, and there are some conflicting opinions on the stability of the software. One source states that GRBL 1.1 is unstable and will cause the engraving machine to run unsmoothly. However, another source claims that they experienced no issues with GRBL 1.1 and that their CNC ran smoothly.
To perform the upgrade, you will need to back up the existing firmware and flash a new one. This can be done without any additional hardware, and precompiled binaries of GRBL firmware are available. However, it is important to note that the update process described is specifically for ATmega328p controller boards, and may not work with different hardware.
- Make a full backup: Using either Candle (GrblControl) or UGS, send the $$ command to print all current settings. This will back up the current settings from the GRBL console, EEPROM data, and flash contents.
- Flash the new firmware: Follow the procedure outlined in the avrdude command line tool. The specific command may vary depending on your setup, but a general example is provided:
Avrdude -u -c arduino -p m328p -P COMx -b 57600 -U flash:w:"/path/to/file/grbl_v1.1h.20190825.hex":a
Check CNC settings: After each update, it is important to check the CNC settings from the EEPROM. Connect to the machine and send the $$ command again to print all settings. Compare each setting in the backup text file to the new settings and make any necessary changes.
It is worth noting that some users have reported issues with the Candle program when trying to diagnose problems with their CNC router. Alternative sender programs such as UGS (Universal GCode Sender) or ioSender are recommended by some users.
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Verify your port
To verify your port, you must first check if the GCode Sender on your PC is communicating with Grbl on the controller. To do this, open the console in the lower right corner (you might need to enable it in service/settings) and type $$ (display Grbl Settings). If you don't see a COM port, your cable is likely faulty.
To verify your port, you can also try unplugging the power supply, USB cable, and controller directly from the Grbl control board. Then, plug in the power supply and push the power button. Check if the board light turns on and if the fan spins. If not, check the power supply and connection for output and unwanted shorts or disconnects. If the controller works, check the COM port in Candle and make sure it's the right one.
Additionally, you can verify the port by checking your Windows control panel to see what COM port is being used for the CNC. Ensure that the COM port in the GRBL software matches the one being used for the CNC. You cannot just assign any COM port in GRBL; it has to be the same one that is being used by the CNC machine.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check if the GCode Sender on your PC is communicating with GRBL on the controller. If not, unplug the power supply, USB cable, and controller from the GRBL control board. Plug in the power supply and check if the board light turns on and the fan spins. If it doesn't, check the power supply and connections for output and shorts.
Check your COM port in Candle and ensure it's the correct one.
Dig around in your Windows control panel to find what COM port is being used for CNC, and ensure that the GRBL software matches this.
Check your cable, as it may be faulty.
The CNC 3018 router comes with a dated version of GRBLControl (now called Candle). LinuxCNC does not work with this machine as it requires a parallel port, not a USB. Additionally, upgrading the machine to GRBL 1.1 works well with Candle. To set up the port, remember the port information, switch to the Candle software interface, and click "Settings".
