Tomc938
Ultra Member
OK,
Since there is interest in getting some TouchDRO boards going, I will share the steps off the Hobby-Machinist that I followed to get everything working.
First a word of caution (@slow-poke already shared this, but): You have to get and ESP32-DevKitC core board ESP32 development board ESP32-WROOM-32D. I got mine from Ali (https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005008255687959.html) The pin outs on these various boards are significantly different. This board is no longer in production. There seem to be lots out there, but make sure you can get one before you sign up for getting a board. If you can't, there are boards you can. use to solder jumper wires so you can make another board work, but more hassle. Just make sure you get the right board in the first place.
If you have trouble I might be able to assist you. I don't know Python. I am old enough I learned COBOL and FORTRAN in high school. But I did hack around with it for a few days, so I might be of assistance if you are stuck. For me the key thing was making sure everything was in the right directory so as it was called, it was available.
Another thing to watch for (apparently) is there are USB cords that are for power only, and some that are for data. You need a data cord. I just tried a bunch and most worked for me.
First - download and install Python. Make sure that when you are installing python that you include the PATH. If you miss this it won't work, so make sure you check the box for PATH under install. Once python is install open a command prompt. Windows key, cmd. Once the window opens type pip install esptool. Once installed. Type esptool.py version and you should see the version popup.
Second - using a known working USB cable, I will not tell you how many times in my career as an automation specialist and hobbyist I have been foiled in programming a device due to a bad cable. Connect the ESP32 board to your computer. You should hear it connect. If not please do a google search on how to trouble shoot connections. Once connected open device manager and under ports you should see the ESP32. Funny mine is detected as a teensy. If your not sure unplug and plug the cable back in and you should see it change. My port came up as COM12.
Third - in a folder un zip the files from the touchdro download. Rename the touchdro-diy-universal-v1.4.bin to touchdro.bin. I am not sure why I had to do this, but this was stopping esptool from uploading to the board.
Fourth - navigate to the file area that you have the touchdro files in, inside your command prompt window. Mine looks like this C:\Users\youtname\Desktop\Lathe Mill\TouchDRO.
Fifth - in the command prompt paste in the following, BUT before you hit enter, on your connected ESP32 board click the BOOT button then press enter on your keyboard. (I did not need to do this step) I was getting a couple different errors when not doing this part. If correct you will see the program upload to the ESP32 and reset with the blue led pulsing.
esptool.py --port COM12 --baud 460800 --before default_reset --after hard_reset --chip esp32 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size detect --flash_freq 40m 0x1000 bootloader.bin 0x8000 partition-table.bin 0x10000 touchdro.bin. (You need to set the COM to the right COM. On a MAC this is more complicated. I have a MBP 2018, and my COM ID was "/dev/cu.usbserial-0001" (with no quotes)
Sixth - Fire up your tablet, go to your bluetooth section and link your esp32 under touchdro. The default password on mine was 1234.
Seventh - start your already downloaded TouchDro App and connect, it should be that easy.
(Webpage here: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/esp32-upload-issues-solved.103007/)
Since there is interest in getting some TouchDRO boards going, I will share the steps off the Hobby-Machinist that I followed to get everything working.
First a word of caution (@slow-poke already shared this, but): You have to get and ESP32-DevKitC core board ESP32 development board ESP32-WROOM-32D. I got mine from Ali (https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005008255687959.html) The pin outs on these various boards are significantly different. This board is no longer in production. There seem to be lots out there, but make sure you can get one before you sign up for getting a board. If you can't, there are boards you can. use to solder jumper wires so you can make another board work, but more hassle. Just make sure you get the right board in the first place.
If you have trouble I might be able to assist you. I don't know Python. I am old enough I learned COBOL and FORTRAN in high school. But I did hack around with it for a few days, so I might be of assistance if you are stuck. For me the key thing was making sure everything was in the right directory so as it was called, it was available.
Another thing to watch for (apparently) is there are USB cords that are for power only, and some that are for data. You need a data cord. I just tried a bunch and most worked for me.
First - download and install Python. Make sure that when you are installing python that you include the PATH. If you miss this it won't work, so make sure you check the box for PATH under install. Once python is install open a command prompt. Windows key, cmd. Once the window opens type pip install esptool. Once installed. Type esptool.py version and you should see the version popup.
Second - using a known working USB cable, I will not tell you how many times in my career as an automation specialist and hobbyist I have been foiled in programming a device due to a bad cable. Connect the ESP32 board to your computer. You should hear it connect. If not please do a google search on how to trouble shoot connections. Once connected open device manager and under ports you should see the ESP32. Funny mine is detected as a teensy. If your not sure unplug and plug the cable back in and you should see it change. My port came up as COM12.
Third - in a folder un zip the files from the touchdro download. Rename the touchdro-diy-universal-v1.4.bin to touchdro.bin. I am not sure why I had to do this, but this was stopping esptool from uploading to the board.
Fourth - navigate to the file area that you have the touchdro files in, inside your command prompt window. Mine looks like this C:\Users\youtname\Desktop\Lathe Mill\TouchDRO.
Fifth - in the command prompt paste in the following, BUT before you hit enter, on your connected ESP32 board click the BOOT button then press enter on your keyboard. (I did not need to do this step) I was getting a couple different errors when not doing this part. If correct you will see the program upload to the ESP32 and reset with the blue led pulsing.
esptool.py --port COM12 --baud 460800 --before default_reset --after hard_reset --chip esp32 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size detect --flash_freq 40m 0x1000 bootloader.bin 0x8000 partition-table.bin 0x10000 touchdro.bin. (You need to set the COM to the right COM. On a MAC this is more complicated. I have a MBP 2018, and my COM ID was "/dev/cu.usbserial-0001" (with no quotes)
Sixth - Fire up your tablet, go to your bluetooth section and link your esp32 under touchdro. The default password on mine was 1234.
Seventh - start your already downloaded TouchDro App and connect, it should be that easy.
(Webpage here: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/esp32-upload-issues-solved.103007/)