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INTERFACE CNC Touch Controller

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by OpenBuilds, Dec 15, 2020.

  1. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    (; Knowing you I was totally expecting that to be the case :)

    The ESP32 supports 802.11b/g/n, with WPA/WPA2/WPA2-Enterprise and (optional) WPS (We didn't implement WPS in the firmware): See Wi-Fi Driver - ESP32 - — ESP-IDF Programming Guide latest documentation
     
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  2. Netechsys

    Netechsys Journeyman
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    Umm.. Umm.. :)
     
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  3. grnch

    grnch New
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    I finally got my internet back and was able to update to 1.47 with no issues, wifi working, usb working.
     
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  4. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    For a succesful connection via CONTROL (and note that doing this at all is kinda secondary to the main design spec of the Interface which is to "replace" the PC) you need:
    - Interface connected to BlackBox via the 4-pin AUX Cable
    - RUN/DEV Jumper in the RUN position so it doesn't autoreset when you connect
    - USB Cable disconnected from BlackBox, and only USB-C Data cable connected to Interface and Computer
    - Booted up on to the Jog screen of Interface and can jog the machine around (connecting too early in the process while Interface is still booting won't connect)
     
  5. John Raney

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    Thanks Peter, I will give it a try.

    Can I ask a limit switch question here?

    john
     
  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    You can open a new thread about your issue under General Electronics > Click the "Post new thread" button
    Just polite to keep issues in separate threads :) - as many people in this thread will get notifications unrelated to the topic they were interested in
     
  7. Logan Blankenship

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    After reading through most of these replies I'm still struggling with flashing my interface. I have been able to connect it with a different USB C cable while in flash mode. When I open the control software the updated version will auto populate as an option in the wizard. However, in the console it just says "starting". Been sitting like that for at least 15 minutes now. Any help would be appreciated!
     
  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    You are using Windows?
     
  9. Logan Blankenship

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    Mac. I tried plugging my phone into my laptop with the same cable and it only charged and wouldn't let me access files. I'm going to try getting a new cable today and see if that fixes it.
     
  10. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See the "NOTE" near the top of the page on docs:interface:firmware-update-control [OpenBuilds Documentation], in the introduction, just before 3.3.1.1

    Also mentioned in a Note inside section 3.3.1.1 of the same page.

    Please read the documentation page in detail :)
     
  11. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    @Logan Blankenship CONTROL V1.0.288 or later includes MacOS support for Interface Firmware updates - expecting it to be out today or tomorrow, ahead of schedule
     
  12. Logan Blankenship

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    Great news! Thank you!
     
  13. Skip S.

    Skip S. Well-Known
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    Just wanted to update - yesterday was my friday and as a surprise my replacement interface came a day early so I was able to hook it up today (my weekends start thursdays) and not only has it updated via wifi, it runs perfectly, I've had no connection issues so far, and the usb read right away. All in all, very happy so far!
    Thanks for the patience and work Peter, much appreciated!
     
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  14. jmmstm

    jmmstm New
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    What is the best way to suspend a long job If need to shut the machine down and resume the next morning.?
    Thanks
     
  15. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Split it up in CAM ahead of time :)

    Second best: Pause by hitting Esc and turn off the router. Leave the rest as-is
     
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  16. woodjoiner22

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    i sorted the issues i was having with my new interface not reading the usb drives all it took was for me to format my fash drives with "verbatim FAT32 Tool" now my interface will read all my drives straight away all the time. Just thought id share incase it helps somebody else
     
    #196 woodjoiner22, Mar 4, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2021
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  17. Graeme Gillies

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    Hi Everyone.
    I just wanted to confirm with some other users about their experience with the interface.

    I have a work bee, blackbox motion controller running from a windows 10 PC. Time and time again my computer disconnects midway through a project and I have to unplug and re-plug the black box from the USB port in order to connect. From what I've read on this forum the problem is a combination of windows and emi from the router. I've been through a few wiring configurations trying to distance and shield various components from any emi with only limited success. I love my cnc, but this emi issue is really dampening my spirits. So anyway, just wanted to confirm with other users if buying an interface will solve this issue, or if there is something else I should be doing.
    Thanks everyone.
     
  18. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    USB Selective Suspend disabled? docs:blackbox:install-windows-selective-suspend [OpenBuilds Documentation]

    Interface may not solve your issue. Address the source of the EMI, else the PC, Interface, etc all become a line of victims.
    - check or add an Earth to the router
    - earth any dust hoses
    More EMI tips in docs:blackbox:faq-emi [OpenBuilds Documentation]
    Fixing the source of the interference is a lot better than trying to shield everything around it.
     
  19. Graeme Gillies

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    Thanks Peter. I had missed some of these tips. Fixing the USB suspended definitely improved the disconnects. Will work on earthing everything.
     
  20. Allistar

    Allistar New
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    Sorry if this has been asked, but can this connect to the XPro V5 controller? It's not obvious to me which inputs it would plug into.
     
  21. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    I dont think they have an uart exposed. See docs.openbuilds.com/interface > Connecting to a generic Grbl controller under the FAQ section
     
  22. len civitano

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    Has anyone tried connecting this to an XCarve controller? I understand I's have to fashion my own cable and I'm not afraid of a little soldering. 5v and ground are easy but I'm not sure how to go about the TX/RX pins. Any suggestions? Thanks.
     
  23. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    They didnt break out the RX/TX pins so you'll need to trace out from the ATmega, and may need to slice tracks etc. If you don't feel up to it, BlackBox replacement is an option, can always sell on the unmodified XCarve controller / use it for another project
     
  24. len civitano

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    I was afraid this would be the reply. I CAN do it. Just not sure I WANT to do it. ugh. Thanks.
     
  25. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    :) personally - not my "on behalf of openbuilds" - is, what do you have to loose :) if you cut traces carefully, repairs are easy. And even if it all goes belly up, its a chance to upgrade to a sleek BlackBox setup (;
     
  26. len civitano

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    You do have a point. I mean, it's past noon and I'm just sitting here. I could be slicing and dicing and Openbuilds is right here in my home state. Worst case I'm down a couple of days and I have no projects pending. Hmmmmmm........
     
  27. len civitano

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    On a related note...any reason to go with their power supply or just use the one from my X-Controller?
     
  28. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    If its a good quality PSU (clean power, no bad surges) it will be totally fine. Must be 24v.
     
  29. len civitano

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    Thanks Peter. I truly appreciate your time. Last question. I promise. Looking at the documentation for the Interface controller, I'm almost led to believe I could cut up the USB AB cable coming from my XCarve controller then use the connector supplied with the Interface cable to connect to the Interface (basically just splicing the two cables together). I mean, the USB AB cable is just Gnd, 5v, and Data +/-. Am I just dead wrong on this? It would just be 50/50 if I get the Tx/Rx backwards.
     
  30. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Usb is not Serial data no. Between the UART and USB you'll find a FTDI or other USB to Serial chip that handles the conversion
     

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