Random Lag between Openbuild App & CNC

Hi All,

Im getting this random re-occuring lag between my Openbuilds application interface and CNC Operation.

When my workpiece is started everything seems to be running fine and then slowly the progress shown on the Openbuilds application slows down in relation to actual cutting on CNC, sometimes the job has finished but the Openbuilds application shows it still running for upwards of 3-5 mins afterwards. This is preventing me from operation the machine until the software catches up. Sometimes it will happen on a 10min job, other times A 1hr job runs perfect.

Running MacBook Pro i7, 16gb ram, Mac OS Catalina, Openbuilds Blackbox, Openbuild Control 1.0.303

I do use both Carbide Create and Fusion 360 to generate my code depending on complexity of workpiece.

Any ideas?

Regards
Chris

 

Hi, I was running small coaster jobs the Grbl posted from Carbide yesterday, don't have that option to smooth. These jobs were 5min runs and machine was so laggy at end I had to reboot just to get back control!. Im seeing this on probably 50% of jobs now and have to agree with @sharmstr and his comments.

My cnc was back at zero'd position and Openbuilds was still showing job as running tool paths, in some cases 5+ mins delay/lag

Regards
Chris

 

Is there a requirement when upgrading to Openbuild Control 1.0.303, to upgrade your blackbox firmware?

 

I've only had CNC for a month, I downloaded the previous version from the website, then upgraded to current version when I has issue with Mobile Jog Widget, so could of had issues on previous version, I took deliver of it 14th April and downloaded software a couple of days before that in readiness, so whatever version was on website then, just looked and can't see the version control release dates on site, but checked my downloads and found it, from 9th Apr v1.0.298 and I now running .300. I guess I'll have to try identify if its specific to a application, I only use two, Carbide Create & Fusion 360, so will try narrow down. I'll have a play to see if can replicate, once I have I'll upgrade to latest.

Is there a subscribe to software updates, as I appear to have missed the last 3?

I'm a total noob, and learning fast so sorry if I'm posting stuff that's already out there somewhere, I do try searching but its all down to way I describe the issue in my mind versus somebody else!!

cheers Peter,

 

@Peter Van Der Walt

Hi Peter,

By way of an update, I've been testing this on multiple jobs over last few months and I've continued to apply updates as well and this "random" (not every job) lag continues on simple and complex jobs created both in Fusion 360 & Carbide, the Fusion variants being complex with smoothing turned on and off and still the same. I recently had a Blackbox failure for which I'm waiting a replacement.

During my diagnosis I read that you shouldn't use a USB extension and connect directly to BB with a short high speed cable, I have a good quality short high speed cable however my machine does have a built-in USB extension running from BB which is housed under the HDPE spoil board bed which is hard to access to a more accessible side mounted option. I wasn't aware of USB extensions not being recommended for use and only stumbled across it after my latest issue. For info I purchased my Openbuilds style machine pre-built, as opposed to building myself.

I assume the gcode sits and is read from the computer rather than being sent directly to BB and running locally, so this would possibly indicate that BB is sending info back to Openbuilds interface what code it has run and the interface then posts the progress by way of motion on screen, so possibly bi-directional delay in send and receive??

I now wonder if this random lag is caused by this USB extension?? I will off course test this once I receive my replacement BB and will update this thread as to the results.

 

Hiya David,
Thanks for the message and info.

I'm running MAC as original post, but with auto-updates turned off, but will download in background and but not apply them until I authorise.

Schoolboy error on my part with which gcodes are affected, I will try to remember to see them as and when I get my replacement BB up and running. I totally agree with your comment on extensions, it also introduces another point of failure another connection that can as I call it "go dry" requiring re-seating to re-establish the connection is some cases.
I'm interested to see if it continues once I get a brand new BB, if the problem goes away then my old unit could have been the problem, if it continues then removing the extension USB will be a definite move, as I'd like to prove the USB causes it (poor design on CNC designers part? and will feedback either way as per your BB recommendations)

Also attached is spec of MacBook USB A Up to 480 Mb/s, maybe my machine is getting a bit too old??

 

@Peter Van Der Walt @David the swarfer
Hi Guys, I'm still suffering from the same lagging issue and have today changed the $10 to =2 for the buffer, on initial testing it appears to be better but further testing will be done, with the buffer does it significantly improve the chatter between blackbox and computer, what's the size of the buffer, can it be changed?

Regards
Chris

 

Hi Peter,

ok, I’ve misread how that’s $10 works then, I’ll put it back

control is latest version but not sure about Blackbox firmware, so will check

is there a recommended gcode optimiser, most of my gcode is generated by carbide pro, so do I still need to optimise?

 

Hi David, Thanks, how do I work out my step size? I have an open builds blackbox obviously but my machine is a custom build with Longs Stepper motors. Also how do I check I have the correct firmware, I'm using openbuilds control v1.0.312

Regards
Chris

 

Hi Peter,

I think I'm narrowing down my hunt, I've seen this multiple times as per attached image. Whats really weird, if start a job it runs, at the bottom of the image you can see the code running but its in red??

Regards
Chris

 

Thanks very much, so I have leadscrews, set at 200.3 X & Y, and 199.8 on Z and it doesn't look like Carbide Pro has smoothing.
I'm going to try Mac OS 10.14 Mojave next with a signed FTDI device as apposed to what I'm running now which is 10.15 Catalina which does have a signed driver but a beta version only, may that will narrow it down

Regards
Chris

 

Hi Peter,
Thank you very much for yours and @David the swarfer time in answering and trying to help me through this. Even after 1 year of CNC I'm still learning the more detail config stuff.

I have and use Fusion, so will definitely try some code from those job I have set up, I will also implement the smoothing as recommended. I also have a 2nd laptop with the earlier OS, so it's no problem to eliminate .

One final question, using 1 / stepspermm = mm per step - I have (200.300 on $100 & $101) 1/200.3=0.0049, so rounded unto 0.005, then double as per Davids comment, I should use 0.01 for smoothing. My blackbox config is $12=0.002 ; Arc tolerance, millimeters, should this value be 0.01?

Regards
Chris