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Machine won't connect

  • Updated

BlueCarveButton.png

In order to successfully connect to a machine from Easel, two pieces need to be in place and working:

  1. The Easel Driver needs to be installed and running
  2. The Easel Driver needs to be able to open a connection to the device

If you’re unable to connect to Easel, clicking the Blue "Carve" button will indicate which step you need to follow. You will see one of the following 2 messages:

  1. “Install the Easel Driver” → Step 1 is failing
  2. “We can’t find your machine automatically” → Step 2 is failing

 

Step 1: Make sure the Easel driver is installed: Download and Install New Easel Drivers

Windows users may need to install the FTDI driver: Installing the FTDI Driver (Windows only) and make sure the right COM port is selected.
 

 

Step 2: For X-Carve (X-Controller) & X-Carve Pro Controller, confirm your controller is fully powered on, all LED lights are on, the USB cable is connected and the FTDI driver (Windows only) is installed.

  • For Legacy Products or OEM Partner Machines, skip to this step.

X-Controller does not power on and does not connect

You should see the LED lights, on the front and back, light up as well as the rear fan spinning. Make sure the e-stop button is disengaged. If the e-stop is engaged, the X-Controller will not power on or connect to Easel.

This video demonstrates how to disengage the e-stop button:

NOTE: If this is a newly assembled X-Controller, make sure the power cord is fully seated.

You may also want to try powering on the machine with the bottom portion of the e-stop button removed from the top portion, to rule out an issue with the interrupt of the button. Here's an image for clarification: installEStop__1_.gif

 

X-Controller powers on but does not connect

If you do have power, I would next check to see if you have any new devices showing up in your computer's device manager. This will look different on Windows and macOS.

X-Controller powers on (Windows)

X-Controller powers on (macOS)

 

X-Controller powers on (Windows)

Power on your X-Controller and open up the Device Manager. Search for “Device Manager” or right-click the Windows Start button and select “Device Manager."

DeviceManager.png

With the Device Manager open, connect the USB cable to your computer.

1. If you do see the X-Controller listed under “Other devices” and there's a little exclamation point next to it, then you may simply be missing the FTDI device driver, which you can download here: https://ftdichip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CDM212364_Setup.zip 

Here is a walkthrough article on how to install the FTDI driver: Installing the FTDI Driver (Windows only)

2. If the driver works correctly, you should see a device under Ports. It will give you a COM number and list the device. You can verify if this is the X-Controller by disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable. 

Go back to Easel and click the blue Carve button. You'll check the box labeled Enter COM port manually. You can enter the COM port listed in the device manager (yours may be different than in the image below).

COM_Port.jpg

 

 

X-Controller powers on (macOS)

Make sure you are using MacOS 11 (Big Sur) or higher.

Power on your X-Controller and connect the USB cable to your computer. To open the System Report, click the Apple icon in the top left > About this Mac > More Info > System Report > USB.

Mac X-Controller.png

  1. If you do see the X-Controller listed under USB but still do not see a green “Carve” button then there may be an interfering driver. 
  2. Check to see if an interfering driver is installed. The Wacom FTDI driver will interfere with the Easel driver. If you need to use your CNC and your Wacom tablet on the same computer, the Wacom tablet driver must then be removed prior to connecting your CNC to Easel. You must reinstall the Wacom driver prior to using the tablet.
  3. If you're still having issues, try a different browser such as Chrome or Firefox. It may be a Safari privacy setting preventing the connection. 

Uninstalling the Wacom driver

  1. Open up the Finder and navigate to your Extensions folder (Go > Computer > HD > Library > Extensions).
  2. If Wacom tablet or FTDIKext are listed, drag them into the trash. Open the trash and delete these files permanently. You can then restart your computer for changes to take effect.
  3. If this doesn't work, check the Extensions folder under System > Library > Extensions for a file called FTDIUSBSerialDriver. 
  4. Restart the computer and only open Easel to avoid interfering software. 

 

Legacy Products or 3rd Party machines

If you are using an older configuration or a machine other than our own, you may need to follow additional steps. 

For legacy products, make sure the firmware is flashed correctly using the steps here: How do I re-flash Grbl to my X-Controller/Arduino?

 

For 3rd party machines, try restarting your computer and only connecting to Easel to prevent any background processes from running that might compete for the connection to your machine.

Machine won't connect (3rd Party Machine)

 

If you're still having problems, please reach out to Customer Succes by emailing help@easel.com or submitting a request.

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