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BlackBox

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by Mark Carew, Feb 22, 2019.

  1. Gary Caruso

    Gary Caruso OpenBuilds Volunteer
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    Would be really cool if you could link 2 or more Blackboxes for expansion...
     
  2. Paul Stoller

    Paul Stoller Journeyman
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    So would the communications protocol for that be called telepathy (brainboard to brainboard).
     
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  3. S-A

    S-A New
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    I think I got everything else wired right, but I'm a bit unsure if this is the right way to use the relay? I don't want to fry anything...

    So I'm trying to add a 12V solenoid to the machine, which I would trigger with the M8/M9 commands (already changed the jumper).

    The solenoid has a separate 12V, 3A PSU.

    Edit: Wiring it this way seems to work. Some instructions recommend adding a flyback diode as a saftey measure, so I'll do that before doing more tests.

    relay.png
     
    #183 S-A, Mar 28, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2019
  4. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Hi @micnacc that stinks man! That's the worse when things like that happen. I commend your honesty in the situation and would like to help.
    Can you please reach out to the Part Store Team at http://support.openbuilds.com/support/home Tell them this story and ask if they could let me know about this and we will see what we can do to get you up and running. :)
     
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  5. micnacc

    micnacc New
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    thank you for getting me squared away. I have followed the company ever since the OX Cnc was still fresh( currently own) and have poked my head in every once in a while to see how far openbuilds has reached. thanks to your company and the forum support I have been able to learn, create, and share my ideas to to everyone I come in contact with. thank you, the forums, and openbuilds for making ideas go from imagination to reality.
     
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  6. Anthony Bolgar

    Anthony Bolgar Journeyman
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    Mark, you are a class act!
     
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  7. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    @micnacc You got it man. Thank you for all of your support and spreading the OpenBuilds mission! Helping one another is what makes this such a great fun hobby.
    @Anthony Bolgar Thanks brother, right back at you! :thumbsup:
     
  8. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    I am wondering..... my vague memory tells me that I saw 'somewhere' a note to always have motors connected when adjusting current. Is this a valid memory?

    and how does it affect using a Blackbox on a minimill with only 3 motors?
    What happens to that Y2 driver?
    Should the jumpers be removed? (or always in place?)

    PS as always when making any changes to electronic equipment, always remove power (and USB) when changing motor wiring etc.
     
  9. smpdx

    smpdx New
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    Hey guys,
    So, I just built my WorkBee 1010 and pulled out the Black Box to hook up and noticed the WorkBee had me install 2-wire limit switches, but the BB has 3-wire plugs. To be fair.. I stopped working on it pretty late and I haven’t investigated it too closely again, but will I somehow be able to hook up those two wires to the BB or will I need to run an additional wire from the limit switches?
     
  10. Chillimonster

    Chillimonster Well-Known
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    Two wire limit switches work fine.

    Just connect to the outer connectors on the three pin connector and leave the center disconnected.
     
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  11. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Chillimonster likes this.
  12. smpdx

    smpdx New
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    Awesome! Doing this today. Thanks!
     
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  13. smpdx

    smpdx New
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  14. smpdx

    smpdx New
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    I could’ve sworn that was a dead link a couple days ago. Just the page I needed! Thx!
     
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  15. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Got got it brother, glad to see it helped :thumbsup:
     
  16. Chillimonster

    Chillimonster Well-Known
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    Just a quick update on my experience with the BB Controller

    I got mine as soon as was released. Must have been one of the very first to order and get it up and running.

    It was the intention to have it to play with and see if it was an improvement on the xpro3 I had previously as an ‘all in one’ board, and how it compared to my DQ542MA drivers controlled by an Arduino that powered my main machine.

    My main machine is a LEAD 1010 - used to be a Sphinx but liked the look of the LEAD and had most of the parts sat in the workshop for the conversion, (with a few tweaks such as an extra top set of wheels on each of the axis and the z from the Sphinx as I much prefer the fixed c beam z configuration). Normally this is connected up to an arduino and 4 DQ542MA drivers so I set this up as a second controller on quick disconnect plugs so I could swap in when I had time to have a play in between paid work.

    From the moment I first powered it up I was hugely impressed with the stability and power from the small unit and it compared very favourably to the DQ542MA’s.

    But..... as soon a I started to actually cut with the BB I was blown away by the smoothness of the toshiba drivers. They make a huge difference.

    I’ve set the current at approx 3/4 for my high torque ‘23’s’ and they are loving it. - I've not tweaked any further due to lack of time but have not found any reason to either.

    All the limit switches are working a treat with no false triggers which I used to get on the xpro, and the Arduino until i put pull ups on the Limit inputs.

    I was slightly disappointed by the lack of a ‘stop’ input on the BB, but it’s not a huge issue as i got around the problem by wiring in a separate button on one of the limit inputs as a substitute and it works well - I do have a full power cutting e-stop on the end of the bench as well but the ‘limit connected button’ comes in handy when I forget to zero and hit start - we’ve all done it at least once! Having it configured this way allows me to reset the alarm, zero everything and hit start with little fuss.

    In fact i'm tat impressed with what this little box can do i have replaced DQ542MA / Arduino combo with the BB and will be selling those on.

    I see the occasional person posting up to say they are having issues, which can be expected with a small percentage, but thought i'd balance this with a positive review as well. I must also say that when people are posting up issues the support they are receiving seems to be top notch, so well done on that.


    Once again congrats on a superb product!
     
  17. smpdx

    smpdx New
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    Well.. I was able to get everything hooked up, loaded the drivers and grbl.. changed $4=1 and got x and y axis working. Z is a no-go and instantly throws an error light (!) anytime an axis is jogged. I’ve contacted the OpenBuilds team and it appears that I’m already on the list for a replacement BB unit when they’re available again (Mid-April). Nice! Sucks to wait, but I’m thankful for the support. The down time will give me an opportunity to design and print a dust shoe.
     
    #197 smpdx, Apr 8, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2019
  18. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    Just wondering if the Apr 15th date for blackbox is still looking good?
     
  19. WR_Rider

    WR_Rider New
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    Hi all,
    I'm in the process of planning my build and I'm finding this "black box" interesting and clean and hopefully easy to use (hopefully). In trying to future proof my build I was wondering if this "black box" would be able to control an extruder for 3d printing if I ever wanted to add one. I'm to understand the BB would be able to control 3 axis's and a slave but the CNC I'm planning on would be using all 4. I thought I read there was a possibility for the BB to grow to 6 axis's .

    Thx
     
  20. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Hello @jamin35008 The 15th is an estimated time, but we are pushing hard to have them complete as soon as possible. Once we get a better indication on completion we will let you know here on the thread. Thank you
     
  21. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Hey man

    Blackbox is a 3 Axes CNC controller.

    Instead of being jack of all trades, master of none it does CNC and it does it well.

    3D printing needs more than just a 4th stepper (other firmware, heater controls, heater sensors, etc) and there are hundreds of dedicated boards for 3D printing. Its also a very opinionated industry so best each person finds a firmware / board / community that suits them the best.

    Your memory RE 6 axes support was the OpenBuilds APEX that was put on the back burner to do Blackbox instead - to cover the needs of 99% of our user base first.
     
  22. Paul Stoller

    Paul Stoller Journeyman
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    "Your memory RE 6 axes support was the OpenBuilds APEX that was put on the back burner to do Blackbox instead - to cover the needs of 99% of our user base first."

    Does this mean APEX is still alive?
     
  23. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Not at this time, but maybe someday
     
  24. WR_Rider

    WR_Rider New
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    Thank you for the reply's all. I just wanted to plan a head. I'm looking forward to learning more about all this and this "black box" controller seems like a simple way to go. Being new I guess I miss understood this line under the description.

    "Cover the use case of 99% of our users: From our own experiences and through many discussions and support requests, we had clear knowledge of EXACTLY what users need! We upgraded to 4 super powerful smart axes onboard (with expansion headers for a future upgrade) and we made sure to include all the IO you will ever need."

    Thanks again and I will keep reading on.
     
  25. Paul Stoller

    Paul Stoller Journeyman
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    Cool, the Blackbox seems to be a excellent product I was more curious than anything. If the APEX does make a comeback I’m sure it will be a worthy member of the OpenBuilds family.
     
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  26. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    While the APEX was great to be honest it all really came down to the right tool for the job. We (wanted :) ) needed a CNC controller dedicated to CNC machines in general (mainly routers). It needed to be powerful and robust as well as offer as many related options as we could fit. This all wrapped up in a nice case with built in cooling , no more open pcbs hanging from the backs of the machines :) Priced so that we can all have the opportunity to jump in and enjoy this great hobby. So while the APEX may not make a comeback alone, the passions and ideas are sure to be baked into even better OpenBuilds projects to come!
     
  27. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    I'm still over here trying to figure out how to get into /empower :banghead::banghead::banghead:
     
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  28. jamin35008

    jamin35008 Well-Known
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    Just heard back from openbuilds support and now they are saying April 22nd before the blackbox is back in stock.....

    This is disappointing! A month to restock your shelves?
     
  29. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    No, a month for the manufacturer to carefully craft more.
     
  30. Donald Oehlke

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    Hi Mark, I purchased a Workbee 750mm x 1000mm for Ooznest in the UK. I have been trying to get it running for over 3 months and am totally fed up with this Duet Controller. I have worked with Ryan remotely and he says everything is fine but when he disconnects, I can't get the machine to do anything. I am fairly new to the CNC world but I'm sure it can't be as tough as it seems. Haven't been able to make one part yet. I noticed this new Black Box and thought maybe this may be my solution. I have a 24V power supply and all the limit switches. Can this replace the Duet controller from Ooznest and what all would I need to purchase to get up and running?
     
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