Machine won't connect (X-Carve Pro)

In order to successfully connect a machine to 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 detect and be able to open a connection to the device

If the "Carve" button does not turn green, start by clicking the Blue "Carve" button to 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. Detailed instructions: Download and Install New Easel Drivers

1. Click the green download button. The Easel driver will automatically download to your computer. You may also see the download at the bottom of your browser. 

2. Make sure to check your downloads folder to run the Easel driver file and follow the prompts until the installation is completed.

• You computer must meet Easel's system requirements to properly install. 
• If you've downloaded and installed the Easel driver, but are still prompted to install the driver, you may need to restart your computer or try another browser. 
• If you still have issues downloading and installing the Easel driver, please contact Easel Support via [e-mail] 

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

The FTDI driver will not make the COM port show up. The device will show up in the COM port once there is a USB-connection established (see Step 2).

Step 2: Confirm your X-Carve Pro is fully powered on, all LED lights are on at the back of controller and front of HMI, and the USB cables are connected.

(Cable 1: from the back of the controller to the back of HMI and Cable 2: from the front of HMI to computer.)  

• NOTE: If you are using the USB-C adapter, the USB-C end will be connected to your computer. USB-C to USB-C connection will not work.
• If you receive an error when connecting your cable, it may be a faulty USB port or cable. Try swapping the USB port, cables or test with another device to narrow down the issue. 

Controller does not power on and does not connect 

You should see the LED lights, on the back of the controller and the front of the HMI (as pictured above).

If you do not see LED lights or have power to the controller, make sure the emergency-stop (e-stop) button is disengaged.

If the e-stop is engaged, the Controller will not power on or connect to Easel.

This video demonstrates how to disengage the e-stop button on X-Controller but the mechanism is the same.

Controller powers on but does not connect

If you do have power, 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)

Controller powers on (Windows) - Check the COM port 

Power on your Controller and open up the Device Manager.

Search for “Device Manager” or right-click the Windows Start button and select “Device Manager."

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

1. If you do see the 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 and USB cables are working 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 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).

     

 

3. If you do not see a device listed under Ports, this indicates there is likely an issue with the USB port or USB cables. 

• Try swapping the USB cables to see if the device shows up. 
• Try another USB port to see if the device shows up.
• If you're using the USB-C adapter, try flipping it and reconnecting.
• If the device still does not show up, test the USB-C to A cables with another device as it may indicate one of these is faulty.

Controller powers on (macOS)

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

Power on your Controller and connect the USB cable to your computer. 

1. If the driver and USB cables are working correctly, you should see a device listed in the System Report. To open the System Report, click the Apple icon in the top left > About this Mac > More Info > System Report > USB. IF you do see the Controller listed under USB but still do not see a green “Carve” button then there may be an interfering driver. 

• 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.
• 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.

2. If you do not see a device listed under Ports, this indicates there is likely an issue with the USB port or USB cables. 

• • Try swapping the USB cables to see if the device shows up. 
  • Try another USB port to see if the device shows up.
  • If you're using the USB-C adapter, try flipping it and reconnecting.
  • If the device still does not show up, test the USB-C to A cables with another device as it may indicate one of these is faulty.

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.