These advanced settings are not shown by default.

LIMIT SWITCHES are not part of the standard FarmBot kit hardware and are typically only used by expert users. Please do not enable LIMIT SWITCHES for your device if you have not specifically installed them on your FarmBot.

Limit switches, are small switches or sensors that are used to tell a machine if it has reached an end position (home or an axis maximum).

limit switch

Example of Limit Switch for CNC devices. [Model SS-5GL13T Omeron Electronics]

Because both rotary encoders and stall detecting stepper drivers can detect the home position and axis maximums as well, they make the use of limit switches largely unnecessary. That’s why limit switches are not included with our kits.

Nonetheless, our firmware and electronics boards do support the use of limit switches for the DIY builders who need to be able to home their devices but do not want to pay for rotary encoders and the full stall detection and position tracking capabilities that they provide.

Enable limit switches

If using limit switches instead of rotary encoders, enable them here. If you do not have limit switches hooked up, do not enable this setting.

Swap limit switches

This switches the zero end of an axis to the other end of the axis. This allows you to set your home (0, 0, 0) position to any of the eight corners of FarmBot’s working volume. You might need to use this setting in combination with INVERT MOTORS, INVERT ENCODERS, and NEGATIVE COORDINATES ONLY to set your FarmBot coordinate system exactly how you want it.

Invert limit switches

This inverts limit switch operation from normally open (NC) to normally closed (NC).