Possible to connect ESP32 directly to USB port on printer?

[cymen]

I have an ESP32 (Lolin32 Lite from Wemos: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/WEMOS-LOLIN32-Lite-V1-0-0-wifi-bluetooth-board-based-ESP-32-esp32-Rev1-MicroPython-4MB/32831394824.html). Can I hook that up to my Marlin-based printer via USB and use ESP3D to talk to it? Or does it need a direct serial connection?

Thanks!

[luc-github]

I do not think 1 - Printer is not PC, so if printer USB is not an USB host it won't communicate 2 - The printer does not provide power on USB, because not USB host, so ESP won't be powered.

This will apply on most of printers

[cymen]

So how are most people looking up the ESP to the printer?

[luc-github]

I guess they read the wiki : https://github.com/luc-github/ESP3D/wiki 😄

[cymen]

I did read the wiki. I get it now though -- the basic idea is the ESP is connected to the boards serial directly, right? The wiki is missing the general pattern and dives into each board but I don't have one of those boards. Thus why I am asking here!

But it makes sense now I think.

[luc-github]

yes as mentioned in readme esp is a bridge between Wifi and serial Now because each board is different it is hard to give less generic explaination - I suggest you to share your board description to see if it is possible or not - not all board allow serial connection or it is not always obvious where pins are located : https://github.com/luc-github/ESP3D/issues/193

Also not all printer firmware are supported so better to share it also (including version)

[cymen]

I have a Creality CR-10S which has a variant of the Melzi board. It looks like this is how to get access to the serial:

http://reprap.org/wiki/Melzi#Wiring

I am going to open mine up again and compare to the photos to see if it is the same. Thank you! I was just confused a bit about how people were connecting this but now it makes a lot more sense.

For firmware, I am running Marlin 1.1.8.

[luc-github]

Good luck, do not damage your board, it looks ok but tricky Marlin should be well supported

[nonflammable]

I think it is possible with MAX3421E. You can use ready boards available here: https://www.aliexpress.com/af/usb-host-arduino.html?SearchText=usb+host+arduino There is library: https://github.com/felis/USB_Host_Shield_2.0 Now it remains to combine one with the other ;) Hereby I am proposing an enhancement.

[schorhr]

Hello :-) Sorry if I missed some detail (English isn't my first language), but is it possible or even planned to implement something like this USB host (https://github.com/tobozo/ESP32-3DPrinter-Bridge) to avoid having to solder to Creality boards?

I have a low budget school workshop and it would rock to just plug and play instead of having to solder on each printer.

Anyway, thank you for your awesome work! <3

[luc-github]

Could be a good addition indeed

[luc-github]

I have added it to 3.0 todo list (https://github.com/luc-github/ESP3D/issues/239#) thank you

[schorhr]

No, thank You ;-) That would make it so much easier to get the cheap printers into the network <3 Can't solder to vias or SMT pins with my shaking hands very well.

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