Overview
The MASSO G2 CNC controller was originally sold in a 3-axis configuration but is field-upgradable to 5-axis operation. The upgrade is a two-part change: a license addition in the customer's myWorkshop account and a corresponding firmware load on the controller. The G2 uses a different update workflow than the G3, and the gantry auto-squaring feature exposes only a single pull-off distance parameter on G2 hardware, which has practical consequences for any machine with a slaved Y-axis (gantry) or A/B axis pair.
This reference documents the verified G2 update path, the myWorkshop license verification procedure, the keyboard/USB boot behavior, the auto-squaring limitation, and the mechanical workarounds recommended by MASSO for users upgrading legacy G2 controllers.
Prerequisites
| Item | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MASSO G2 controller | Touch or non-touch variant | Serial number required for license lookup |
| 5-axis license entitlement | Added to myWorkshop account | May have been purchased at original sale or as a later add-on |
| USB flash drive | FAT32 formatted, <32 GB recommended | Two firmware files placed in root directory |
| Firmware package | G2 5-axis release (e.g., v3.51 or later) | Downloaded from myWorkshop resources |
| Stable DC supply | 24 VDC per G2 specification | Do not interrupt power during write cycle |
| Network access | myWorkshop login credentials | Required to verify purchased entitlements |
Identifying Current Axis Configuration
Before attempting an update, confirm whether the controller is currently licensed for 3 axes or 5 axes. The license state is not always obvious from the front panel of the G2 because the controller will boot into whichever axis count its license permits regardless of which firmware version is loaded.
- Power on the G2 and allow it to complete the boot sequence.
- Navigate to the F1-Setup screen and open the System Information page.
- Record the controller serial number, the reported axis count, and the firmware version string.
- Cross-reference the serial number against the customer's myWorkshop purchase history.
If the myWorkshop account shows only a 3-axis entitlement but the hardware is physically capable of 5 axes, a license purchase is required before the firmware will expose the fourth and fifth axes.
License Verification via myWorkshop
MASSO delivers axis-count upgrades as a license entitlement tied to the controller's serial number. Verification is performed through the myWorkshop customer portal:
- Sign in to the myWorkshop account associated with the original purchase.
- Open My MASSO and locate the controller by serial number.
- Review the Purchased Add-ons list. A 5-axis upgrade will appear as a distinct line item if it was bought.
- If no 5-axis entitlement is listed, contact MASSO support with the serial number and proof of purchase to have the entitlement applied to the account.
G2 Software Update Procedure (USB Method)
The G2 controller uses a USB flash drive based update flow. Unlike the G3, there is no keyboard sequence required to enter programming mode. The controller detects the firmware files on the USB drive automatically during the power-on self-test.
Step-by-Step
- Download the G2 firmware package from myWorkshop. The package contains two files required for the update.
- Format a USB flash drive as FAT32. Copy the two firmware files to the root directory of the drive (not inside a folder).
- Safely eject the USB drive from the PC.
- Power off the G2 controller.
- Insert the USB flash drive into one of the G2's USB ports.
- Apply 24 VDC power to the controller.
- The G2 will detect the firmware files during boot and begin the update process automatically. Do not remove power or the USB drive during the write cycle.
- When the update completes, the controller will either reboot automatically or prompt for confirmation depending on the firmware revision. Remove the USB drive only after the controller has fully restarted.
- Verify the new axis count under System Information.
Expected Indicators During Update
| Boot Behavior | Indication |
|---|---|
| USB drive detected, valid firmware | Update screen appears, progress bar visible |
| USB drive detected, invalid files | Controller boots normally to existing firmware |
| No USB drive present | Controller boots normally to existing firmware |
| F1 pressed at boot | No effect on G2; this key is only meaningful on G3 |
Troubleshooting the Update Screen
The most common field failure during a G2 5-axis upgrade is that the update screen never appears. The root cause in nearly all cases is the operator pressing F1 at boot, which is the G3 update trigger but has no function on G2.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Controller boots to normal UI, no update screen | F1 was pressed; firmware files were not on USB root | Reboot without pressing F1; confirm both files are in USB root directory |
| Update screen appears but stalls | USB drive removed during write; power interruption | Re-seat USB drive, leave controller powered; do not interrupt 24 VDC |
| Update completes but only 3 axes available | 5-axis license not present in myWorkshop | Verify license entitlement; contact MASSO support with serial number |
| Controller shows 5 axes but motion faults on 4th/5th | Axis not configured in F1-Setup | Enable and tune the A and B axes in axis setup screens |
| Wrong firmware variant flashed | G3 firmware accidentally written to G2 | Re-image with correct G2 firmware package |
Auto-Squaring on G2 vs G3
The auto-squaring feature is implemented differently between the two controller generations, and the limitation is hardware/firmware related rather than a configuration oversight.
| Feature | MASSO G3 | MASSO G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-squaring support | Yes | Yes |
| Per-axis pull-off distance | Individual value per axis | Single shared value |
| Y-axis gantry squaring via pull-off | Tunable per slave | Not independently tunable |
| Recommended squaring method | Pull-off distance parameter | Mechanical sensor position adjustment |
On the G3, the auto-squaring routine exposes independent pull-off distances for each homing sensor, allowing the firmware to compensate for mechanical misalignment by varying the homing offset per axis. On the G2, only a single pull-off distance is exposed. As a result, attempting to "fudge" the pull-off value to square a gantry on G2 hardware will not produce consistent results across both Y motors.
Mechanical Workaround for G2 Pull-Off Limitation
MASSO's documented recommendation for G2 users who require accurate gantry squaring is to adjust the physical position of the home sensors so that the mechanical home position itself is square, rather than relying on the firmware pull-off parameter to mask misalignment.
- Loosen the mounting hardware for both Y-axis home sensors.
- Power on the controller and command a Y-axis home cycle.
- Measure the squareness of the gantry using a precision reference (dial indicator or granite straightedge).
- Physically shift the slave Y sensor in small increments until the homed position is square.
- Re-tighten sensor mounts and re-verify with a second home cycle.
This procedure is iterative and time-consuming compared to the G3 software-based approach, but it produces a stable, repeatable square that does not depend on firmware tuning.
Verification After Update
After the firmware has been written and the controller has rebooted, perform the following checks before resuming production work:
- Confirm System Information reports the new firmware version and the expected axis count.
- Open the Axis Setup screens and verify that the A and B axes are now configurable.
- Run a low-speed jog on each new axis to confirm the drive enable, direction, and limit switch wiring.
- Perform a homing cycle on all five axes and verify each home position is consistent.
- If the machine has a gantry, run the auto-squaring routine and verify the result; if the result is unacceptable, apply the mechanical sensor adjustment procedure above.
- Test a known G-code file that exercises all five axes with conservative feed rates before resuming normal production.
Legacy Documentation
MASSO maintains a PDF archive of the original G2 documentation, which contains the full G2 axis configuration, homing, and wiring procedures as they were documented at the time of release. Operators servicing older G2 controllers are advised to consult the legacy PDF alongside the current myWorkshop resources, as some parameter names and screen layouts have evolved between firmware revisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key do I press to enter firmware update mode on a MASSO G2?
None. The G2 does not use a keyboard sequence to enter flash programming. Place the two firmware files in the root of a FAT32 USB drive, insert it before applying 24 VDC power, and the controller will detect and apply the update automatically during boot.
Why does pressing F1 not open the update screen on my G2?
F1 is the G3 update trigger. On a G2 it has no function in the update flow. Power-cycle the controller without pressing any keys, ensure both firmware files are in the USB root directory, and the update screen will appear on its own.
My G2 was originally purchased as 3-axis. Can I upgrade it to 5-axis?
Yes, provided the controller hardware supports 5 axes. A 5-axis license entitlement must be added to your myWorkshop account (either purchased as an add-on or applied retroactively if originally bundled). After the license is active, load the 5-axis firmware package via the USB procedure.
Why does my G2 not expose independent pull-off distances for auto-squaring?
The G2 firmware exposes only a single shared pull-off distance parameter. Unlike the G3, per-axis squaring offsets are not available. To square a gantry accurately on G2 hardware, mechanically adjust the home sensor positions so the homed reference itself is square.
Where can I verify whether my G2 already has a 5-axis license?
Sign in to the myWorkshop customer portal, open the "My MASSO" section, locate the controller by its serial number, and review the "Purchased Add-ons" list. If the 5-axis entitlement is not visible, contact MASSO support with the serial number and original order details.