Could anyone help, just got our Blackbox 32 for our self built CNC. We have been doing the wiring over the weekend and have noticed we have the normally closed limit switches from ooznest (uk) (which has two pins) already on our machine. However following the diagram for micro limit switches from open builds the diagram shows normally open (with three pins) can we use ours? and if so is there anything we need to do?? We are trying to put off changing them as the z in particular is very difficult to get to as it’s underneath and the Y and X are not easy. Would greatly appreciate any advice
Just change $5 Limits Invert accordingly. $5=0 for NC, $5=7 for NO like our switches Just make very sure to use SIG and GND per the Important Warning in the docs (don't short V+ to GND)
This is a very stupid question and one that’s probably staring me in the face does the $ sign relate to the software, I keep seeing it and it’s been puzzling me, is it the software where I’m changing NC for NO and can I access that without switching on I’m assuming it’s the openbuilds control I’m changing. We havnt switched the blackbox on yet.
If you bought those switches from Ooznest recently they are almost certainly NC. The grbl settings are saved on your blackbox - you can use Openbuilds Control to check/change settings. Double check your wiring for shorts/correct polarity before switching the blackbox on. Alex.
Also the blackbox comes with a memory card does this contain set up I just want to get it all clear before switching on, many thanks
Noob question Alex do we need the blackbox 32 connected to cnc to alter these limits in the code or can we just power up blackbox and what is the sad card for
I'm not using my blackbox yet, but I have read that the SD card is not needed for normal operation, and you don't need to connect to the cnc to change grbl settings - you do need to connect if you want to check they are working as expected. Alex.
The Grbl Wiki is a must-read Grbl v1.1 Configuration For practical purposes, CONTROL > Grbl Settings tab Always good to test and configure before adding wiring. Then if bad wiring damages it you at least know it was working. Just a freebie if you ever want to leave the warm embrace of CONTROL and venture out to other host options like GitHub - grblHAL/Plugin_WebUI: ESP3D-WEBUI backend for networking capable drivers/boards with SD card support instead, then the SD is used to put your gcode files on. Limited time freebie, no one uses it we'll probably stop including it BlackBox and USB cable to PC at least. Got to connect to it to talk to it to change settings on it... Plug in USB. Install drivers. Install CONTROL. Basically docs:software:openbuilds-control [OpenBuilds Documentation]
Thank you so much for all of that info, I will have a read through but feeling more confident now, many thanks
The $ is used in defining the paramerter number in the GRBL firmware. You need to read the WIki! Grbl v1.1 Configuration
I’ve connected the blackbox to the computer via USB and had a look round, I’ve used the wizard to flash the forth axis and have an A axis appear on the console. Just got a couple of questions regarding GRBL settings 1) I had changed the $5=7 to $5=0 for NC on limits, after flashing it now says $5=4, do I need to change that back to $5=0 2) the A axis is 53.3333 degree where do I input this, it is probably staring me in the face but I cannot see it. I’m sure that’s the 1/16 do I half it for 1/8 not sure on that Many thanks
Flashing erases settings. Do flash first, then do all the setup $103 step per degree in Grbl Settings BlackBox is 1/8th microstepping
Well I’d like to be able to get in to settings at the moment the control is saying “waiting for USB” not giving me a choice of com3, it was working fine yesterday. I’ve sent a ticket to support
Wait for response from Support. Duplication just has the same people giving you the same answer in two different places
I am wondering if you can give some advice on a post processor though, ive got all 4 axis set up, there all moving as they should however when i try and load a job using the demon processor it moves the Y instead of A, but i think its built for a machine without a Y just an A piggybacking on the Y, so my question is, is it possible to actually alter the gcode or can you recommend a post processor for 4 axis, many thanks
Demon post is for old Grbl (3 Axes, wraps rotary around X or Y) There is no "4th axes" axes post for Vectric that I know off, you certainly can modify the Demon post to suit. Changing it to output A instead of X/Y. With a machine at hand to test your changes with. Once written and tested, you can publish it here Resources | OpenBuilds to help others. Note Vectric is a 3 axes CAM, XZ + rotary is not 4th axes. Its still just going to wrap the 3rd axes around "A" like it does for X/Y now. Lookup the Vectric Docs for Wrapping. 4 Axes = XYZ+A. For that you need Fusion360 or Deskproto CAM. Full 4 axes machining does way more than lathe style wrapping. Vectric can only wrap around a cyliner. Full 4 axes machining can do the cool things like drilling holes in a straight face but at an angle, or machining an overhang, etc. With a 3 axes (lathe) the center of the tool is always over the centerline of the A Axis, a 4 Axes machine/CAM can move it X and Y so tool center can be offset side to side of the centerline too, making for amazing possibilities and thus the need for a more advanced CAM
I was just looking at fusion 360, I think it’s the paid one that does 4 Axis, I shall have a look at the other DeskProto as well. I’ve tried with mach3 using wrap but it’s really not great
Like I said, depends on your expectations. Can use Vectric (if its a lathe). If you want full 4th capability, it is entering the realm of industrial machining so sadly not any free options.Then again, you have a literal money printing machine, just line up jobs to cover the licences. Also see https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/startups to get a foot in the door RE Vectric: You can test this one too Post Processor for Vectric Pro running on Open Builds machine - searched the Vectric forum
The question at the moment is how do I modify the Demon post-processor to suit until I take the plunge
If you aren't up for it (do the research vectric post editing - Google Search or ask Vectric, as a paying customer you have access to their support team to support their product to which this actually relates) there's also:
