Layout of the new LDO NH36 rev1.4
Nitehawk-36 by LDO is a USB toolboard featuring RP2040 MCU, TMC2209 stepper drive, ADXL345 accelerometer, and built-in USB HUB.
Since it’s a USB based connection board it’s very simple and easy to setup compared to CAN toolboards.
There is only one cable from the toolhead to the raspberry pi.
This is the first toolhead PCB we offer at our store with a built-in USB hub. This integrated USB Expansion Hub allows for a secondary USB device to be directly connected to the toolhead. This means you can effortlessly connect a Beacon 3D surface scanner or any other USB devices directly to the toolhead.
Rated up to 65ºc in closed chambers.
Features
- Convenient wiring, no more complicated and error prone breakout cables – nitehawk only requires 24V power and a USB connector to the RPI host.
- USB Klipper connection, no additional software or hardware setup compared to CAN.
- Secondary USB port, an onboard USB port allows you to connect a second USB device to your toolhead without running any additional umbilical cable.
- Custom toolhead cable, a single combined USB data and power cable rated for drag chain use, but can also be used in umbilical configuration.
- Convenient Input Shaping, run input shaper calibration at anytime with an onboard accelerometer.
- Tacho enabled HEF, the hotend fan port is three pin tachometer compatible, allowing for additional diagnostics and safety.
Benefits over CAN
- Easy Firmware Updates: Updating the Nitehawk is as straightforward as flashing a motherboard. Simply press the boot and reset buttons to enter DFU mode and upload the Klipper firmware. No need for canboot / katapult, etc. No need for CAN, U2C, or CAN bridge mode.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Operating over the USB protocol ensures reliable, two-way communication. Unlike CAN, which communicates only one way and can be problematic, USB offers a stable connection for consistent performance.
- Simplified Wiring: The Nitehawk connects to your RPI with a single cable, eliminating the need for cumbersome cable chains with 14 or 16 cables. Enjoy a clean, organized setup that enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
- Improved Performance: Users have reported significant improvements in accuracy and repeatability, particularly with rapid bed probes and end switches. Experience precision like never before.
Why nitehawk36
The Nitehawk 36 is a direct replacement for the EBB36, maintaining a similar size and format. It fits perfectly behind any round pancake stepper motor, making it compatible with Galileo 2, XOL, Stealthburner, Mini Stealthburner, and more. This toolhead will work seamlessly in almost any printer featuring a round pancake stepper motor on the extruder, especially the Voron V2, Voron Trident, and V0.2 models.
- Versatile Voltage Options: Both the parts cooling fan and hotend extruder fan can run at selectable voltages of 5V or 24V.
- Fan Compatibility: The extruder fan accommodates both 2-wire and 3-wire fans with a tachometer (with 3 wire fans it’s possible to detects if the fan is slowly dying and stalling!).
- Built-In Accelerometer: Includes an ADXL345 accelerometer for ressonace purposes
- User-Friendly Connectors: Heater ferrules are standard size (not super thin as EBB36) and it features normal size JST-XH 2.54mm connectors.
- Integrated USB Expansion: The Nitehawk 36 includes a built-in USB Hub / expansion port, allowing you to directly connect devices like the Beacon 3D surface scanner or a nozzle cam.
- Reliable and Safe: A breakout board between the Nitehawk and your Raspberry Pi ensures smooth operation and protects against shorts and malfunctions.
- Convenient Connection: Uses an XT30 connector to link the umbilical cable from the board to the RPI.
Is my Raspberry Pi safe from shorts?
Yes. There is a breakout board between the NH36 and the Raspberry Pi specifically designed to protect your raspeberry agains any shorts or malfunctions.
What is included in the package
- Nitehawk-36, this is the main PCB, which houses the MCU, stepper driver, fan drivers, and other circuits.
- Umbilical Cable, this is a custom flex cable that is rated for drag chain use. It delivers 24V power to the main Nitehawk PCB while also carrying USB data.
- USB Adapter, this simple PCB combines 24V power from the power supply and USB data from the Raspberry Pi into a unified connection to the main Nitehawk PCB via the Umbilical cable.
- All connectors and terminal crimps
| Description | Quantity |
| Toolhead PCB | 1 |
| USB Adapter PCB | 1 |
| USB Umbilical Cable 2.15m | 1 |
| USB-A to USB-C Data Cable, 0.4m | 1 |
| 24V Power Cable | 1 |
| USB Hookup Cable | 1 |
| Self-Tapping Screw, M2x10 | 3 |
| Screw, SHCS, M3x8 | 2 |
| Screw, SHCS, M3x12 | 4 |
| MicroFit3 style Male Connector, 3x2pin | 1 |
| MicroFit3 style Female Crimp Terminal | 8 |
| XH2.5 Female Connector, 4pin | 1 |
| XH2.5 Female Crimp Terminal | 8 |
| PH2.0 Female Connector, 2pin | 5 |
| PH2.0 Female Connector, 3pin | 3 |
| PH2.0 Female Crimp Terminal | 30 |
| Ferrule, 1008 | 4 |
| Ferrule, 0508 | 4 |
What is NOT included in the package
- If you want to connect a USB device to the USB HUB you might need to make a custom cable. We offer a Beacon to Nitehawk36 DIY cable kit
Pinout schematics
Klipper Config
(will be updated very soon)
Tacho Macros
(will be updated very soon)
How to flash nitehawk36 with klipper?
Access to your RPI via ssh and execute
cd ~/klipper make clean make menuconfig
compile firmware
make
Enter DFU Mode, Press and hold both the RESET and BOOT button.
Release the RESET button
Release the BOOT button
Check if the board is in DFU mode.
lsusb
Flash board
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt sudo cp out/klipper.uf2 /mnt sudo umount /mnt
check if nitehawk is flashed with klipper
cd ~ ls /dev/serial/by-id/*
check if the ACT light
Does it need new printed parts?
Yes. You can download the custom printed parts for LDO Nitehawk36 here.
