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Openbuilds vs bCNC control

Discussion in 'Control Software' started by jamin35008, Aug 14, 2019.

  1. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    I have recently stumbled across a Facebook post about the bCNC control and its auto leveling Z probe feature. I think this would be a great added tool for carving on curved or warped surfaces but wonder if switching from the OpenBuilds control to bCNC would be worth it just for that feature? Has anyone used both platforms and found one superior to the other? Are they both similar in functionality? Is the auto leveling feature something that might be added to the OpenBuilds control in the future?

    Thanks!
     
    dJOS_500 likes this.
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    CONTROL is aimed to ease the learning curve for beginners. When you become advanced we absolutely hope you do "outgrow" us at some point - as that means you grew your skills and grew as a person :)
     
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  3. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    I would have to say that I'm much more informed now about basic CNC'ing than a year ago but am I to the point to move onto something more advanced.......not sure. I really do like the simplicity of the openbuilds control and how frequently new updates and features are added. I just think that the auto level would be something really neat to incorporate into some builds. I guess it wouldn't hurt to download it and play around with it.

    Peter do you have any experience with the bCNC?
     
  4. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Autolevel is on the todo/wishlist Build software better, together - but has been since April Z probe - warp compensation · Issue #62 · OpenBuilds/OpenBuilds-CONTROL so don't expect it to arrive any time soon
    So for now, you'll have to look elsewhere if you really need it (not sure what you are doing, but surfacing your bed and fixturing with superglue and bluetape, you might not need levelling)

    bCNC is OK, nice features, works well. But man, its ugly (;

    Of course theres many more Grbl hosts, Candle, CNCJS, Chilipeppr, to name but a few - some of them also have autolevel
     
  5. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    I couldn't have said it better.....it is ugly! That Github update page is pretty slick. Never saw that before. Thanks!

    I do have my bed surfaced. Was thinking of the feature for use on slightly warped pieces that are larger than my 4" jointer.

    Alternatively instead of using the auto level and if my stock was thick enough I was thinking of using playing cards as shims to level out the warp then start surfacing the piece from the high spot until I got it flat and then flip it over and surface the other side. Saw someone do that Youtube.
     
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  6. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    That's what I do on my planer since I dont have a jointer. Works awesome.
     
  7. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    I haven't seen it done on the planner. Do you have a sled or a jig you put the material on to hold it in place?
     
  8. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    Yep. 3/4" ply, 12-3/4" wide x 80" long. I covered it with 120 grit sandpaper. I use wood shims in the high spots with a dab of hot glue where the shim and the stock meet. Been using it a lot lately to prep before it goes on the Workbee.

    The first one I did took awhile, but now I can get it set up quickly.

     
    David the swarfer and Rick 2.0 like this.
  9. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    Thanks Shawn my wife is going to kill me because now I definitely going to make another jig! Ohhhh I can hear it now, "now what are you making?" :)

    That's sweet and will save a lot of time being able to square boards in just a few minutes vs. surfacing on the cnc.

    Thanks for the video! Appreciate it!
     
    sharmstr likes this.
  10. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    No problem. It took me forever to pull the trigger on the planer. I wish I would have done it sooner.
     
  11. Guenni

    Guenni New
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    Autolevel has nothing to do with surfacing.
    Try to engrave a curved lock for example.
    With Autolevel, no problem. Without impossible!!

    A BIG win for an ugly Software!!!
     
    sourceminer likes this.
  12. dJOS_500

    dJOS_500 Journeyman
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    I’d like auto level for making PCB prototypes - when you are milling with a 0.1mm V bit with 0.2mm gaps between tracks, auto level is critical.

    i currently use Candle for this, but it’s hot garbage and I hate it.
     
  13. Christian James

    Christian James Journeyman
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    I've always used OpenCNC Pilot - works a treat!
     
    dJOS_500 likes this.
  14. sourceminer

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    I still think its a worthy look into. Seems no real progress since 2021 for Auto-Level. How can we help?
     

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