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INTERFACE CNC Touch Controller

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

  1. John Davies

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    Can I ask what version of BlackBox you have. I returned 2 Interfaces about a year ago (usb related problems) and I just ordered another. This is a great concept, I really want it to work. I’m hoping that 3 times a charm. John.
     
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    The USB socket QA issues has been addressed, you will be getting one from the latest batch, tested twice prior to shipment.
    And if it has issues for whatever reason, the warranty will sort you out as well :)
     
  3. anigeek65

    anigeek65 Well-Known
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    Like Peter said. They are addressing the issue. They had a batch that got through their testing process and they are clearing out the bad apples. The ones they are shipping are tested and working. Mine works flawlessly now except for the button not working occasionally but that is a noise issue from my machine that I cannot track down.
     
  4. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See docs:blackbox:faq-emi [OpenBuilds Documentation] - your particular set of issues is actually too unique to belong on the forum, thus why we (have and will) ask you to contact the store - so they can assist you directly. Please honor that request, thanks.
     
  5. John Davies

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    Thanks for all the help. My diy cnc is all aluminum and all electronics are grounded. I have also grounded the frame. I’ve never had a problem with EMI before so I hope the interface will work properly.
     

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  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    You'll be fine, the person I replied to has a very unique situation/history. But lets leave each support discussion in its own thread.
    Every situation is unique, so let us handle each on its own
     
  7. mrjoedave

    mrjoedave New
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    How do I add tool diameters to the probing function?
     
  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Only standard bit sizes are supported by default at this time. Custom diameters is on the todo list for a future firmware update
     
  9. mrjoedave

    mrjoedave New
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    Gotcha. That's a bummer, but I get it. Thanks for getting back to me.
     
  10. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    For now probe XY with one of the supported endmills or a precision dowel

    Then swop in the odd endmill, and just probe Z
     
  11. mrjoedave

    mrjoedave New
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    Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I may just use a dowel. It turns out I mostly have odd sized bits. I blame the imperial measurement system!
     
  12. JonathanS

    JonathanS New
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    This is a fantastic controller IMHO.. I'm a new at CNC/Laser etching and just got my first system setup.. I went "all in" and bought the black box and this controller and I'm loving it. I love that I can be in my home office, work out my burn file with LightBurn, then point my browser at the controller and "upload" the gcode. Run into the garage, set up the laser cutter, and off I go. Only thing missing is being able to check on cut process from the browser and clean up files on the controller.. Ok I'm lazy, dont want to walk to the garage to check on progress. ;) But totally loving this controller!
     
  13. Ian C

    Ian C New
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    Just swapped out my xPro v5 for BB + Interface - very happy with the decision!

    Couple questions/comments if I could on Interface:
    1. Is there any possibility to have the "Go to XYZ Zero" offer a menu to choose XY, Z, or XYZ? Not sure if I'm in the minority, but I always have the spoilboard as Z0, so driving Z to zero doesn't end well :). Being able to just drive XY would be nice. I can run this as a program from USB, just thought it would be more user friendly.
    2. Not sure if there is an accessible variable for the WCS, but could be neat to be able to set a default WCS in settings and have the probing macros use it.
     
    #283 Ian C, Feb 5, 2022
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2022
  14. Lumet

    Lumet New
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    Hello, I am French, does the interface work without a blackbox? is it compatible with cnc6040 cncest? is the interface menu in French? can we directly connect the interface to the cnc? thank you so much.
     
  15. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See docs.openbuilds.com/interface for wiring instructions - needs a Grbl based controller with accesible UART pins. BlackBox is plug and play with it

    English only firmware at this time
     
  16. Novastorm

    Novastorm New
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    Hello,

    Is it possible to run the INTERFACE with an Duet2?
    The Duet supports UART but it is RepRap based. Maybe some firmware editing on the Interface is nescessary to run the right commands?

    When it is possible, wich software is needed to build a custom firmware for the INTERFACE?
     
    #286 Novastorm, Jun 23, 2022
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2022
  17. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Interface only support Grbl 1.1
     
  18. Novastorm

    Novastorm New
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    Okay, Thank you.
     
  19. Nick Cipolla

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    Hey all,
    I am doing some very simple work using a 2 axis system mounted to a lathe with a straight blade to cut rubber tubing accurately. I am looking to add the interface into my system and cant figure out how to transfer my macros to it. all of my commands are fairly simple grbl jog commands but they repeat and I have all of my macros set to return to zero once they reach the end of the cuts. for example

    $J=G91G20y.87F5
    $J=G91G20y-.87F100
    $J=G91G20x2.23F5000
    $J=G91G20y.87F5
    $J=G91G20y-.87F100
    $J=G91G20x2.23F5000
    $J=G91G20y.87F5
    $J=G91G20y-.87F100
    $J=G91G20x2.23F5000
    $J=G91G20y.87F10
    $J=G91G20y-.87F100
    $J=G90G20Y0F5000
    $J=G90G20X0F5000

    I have it saved in open builds control V1.0.321 but when I use the "prepare USB flashdrive" wizard none of the macros come over.
     

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  20. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Create them as gcode files on the flashdrive and run them as normal job files
     
  21. Nick Cipolla

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    is there a resource to walk me through this?
     
  22. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See docs.openbuilds.com/interface > Run a Job section
     
  23. Nick Cipolla

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    I see that section but do not see how to create a gcode file. I am not very experienced in gcode and really only know enough about it to get our setup to move across the 2 axis we have built. Is there a way to convert a .txt file to a .gcode file?
     
  24. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Open Notepad
    Paste the moves you had in your Macro
    Save

    I'd suggest refining your gcode to use proper gcode instead of Jog commands, but not urgent. Can use commands in gcode files too
     
    Nick Cipolla likes this.
  25. Bryan Cope

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    Did you ever get an answer about the TVS?
     
  26. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See docs.openbuilds.com/interface - section 2.1.1 to learn more. Only applies to older generations of BlackBox - 3-4 years ago versions.
     
  27. kson

    kson New
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    Setup the Interface and everything looks good so far, I did notice in probing settings the minimum bit diameter is 0.5mm. Wondering if 0.25mm can be added into the firmware easily enough? as I plan on using one for some intricate details.
     
  28. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    Probing sets the center of the tool to 0, so you can X Y probe with a .05, then swap in the .25 and probe Z.

    Or, if you know how to edit gcode, you can upload your own probing routines to the usb stick and run them like you would a job.
     
  29. kson

    kson New
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    Yea I was hoping to avoid tool changes for probing.
    With the gcode routines why not always just do it that way and bother with the menu at all? (just trying to understand why have the menu option)

    I see in the github repo it's just a compiled bin file, is there any source code for the interface available? I'm far from a developer but would happily take a look at the code to try and add a 0.25mm option and create a PR.
    The only argument against more defined endmill sizes I can see is the menu being annoying to use, in which case I think switching between imperial and metric as an option would fix that.

    This seems to be the only shortcoming I can see on the Interface, everything else seems pretty great
     
  30. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    I don't avoid toolchanges for probing - quite the opposite. Many bits are not the size they claim to be (meaning you would have to change your probe offsets to be accurate) and the orientation of the bit (I use a lot of single flute bits and V-bits) can mean that you cannot probe both X and Y accurately. I use an accurately turned brass rod to probe X and Y and then change to the bit to probe Z.
    Alex.
     
    Giarc and Peter Van Der Walt like this.

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