Welcome to Our Community

Some features disabled for guests. Register Today.

Sign Up

Suggestions wanted for laptop to run Lead Machine 1010 with a Black Box

Discussion in 'General Talk' started by jda70az, Nov 28, 2020.

Tags:
  1. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    Hi.

    I'm in the market for a laptop that will run my Lead Machine 1010 with a Black Box.
    I make my CAD and CAM files in Fusion 360. I intend to use Universal Gcode Sender
    on the lap top to run Black Box. I got 300 - 500 to spend.

    So what kind of laptop will I need to run this set up?

    Thanks for any help.
     
    #1 jda70az, Nov 28, 2020
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,992
    Likes Received:
    4,107
    Look at Fusions required specs and get an appropriate laptop. If it can run Fusion, it will run the rest just fine
     
    #2 Peter Van Der Walt, Nov 28, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  3. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    Thx

    Im not or do not intend to run fusion360 on that. Just some software that can read .nc,.stl gcode
    to send to Black Box?
     
    #3 jda70az, Nov 29, 2020
  4. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,992
    Likes Received:
    4,107
    #4 Peter Van Der Walt, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  5. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    well most of the laptops in that range have AMD Ryzen 5 3500U 2.1 Ghz 4 cores with 8 gigs of ram windows 10 64bit which will run Fusion 360
    but is that really necessary? Isn't a computer like that overkill?
     
    #5 jda70az, Nov 29, 2020
  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,992
    Likes Received:
    4,107
    If it fits the budget, no. Faster = better = less frustration
     
    #6 Peter Van Der Walt, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  7. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    Ok so...Faster in CPU or RAM?
     
    #7 jda70az, Nov 29, 2020
  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Messages:
    13,992
    Likes Received:
    4,107
    A NvME/SSD harddrive, and a Good GPU (ATI or NVidia instead of Intel) first considerations before worrying about RAM and CPU.
    8GB of RAM is fine, CPU less of a worry, all modern CPUs in that price range will be fine
     
    #8 Peter Van Der Walt, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  9. Christian James

    Christian James Journeyman
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    213
    I use a 7 year old Toshiba laptop (1.6gb processor) with 4Gb or ram which was a budget machine at the time (about what you wanna pay now.) I've dedicated it to CNC only - no other programs are run.at the same time and it works fine for me. I also had a crappy Toshiba palm top with a 1gig processor running before that which also worked ok.
     
    #9 Christian James, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  10. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    Thx

    What's you set up? What software do you use and what controller?
     
    #10 jda70az, Nov 29, 2020
  11. Christian James

    Christian James Journeyman
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    213
    Workbee "style" 1010, leadscrew driven.
    Nema 23, 270oz-in" on all axes.
    Arduino UNO controller with shield designed for my set-up.
    TB6600 drivers.
    30V power supply.
    Makita 0700 router.

    I have F360 but haven't used it for CNC work so no comment on that.
    I use Sketchup 8 for design (I don't design battleships or rockets)
    V-carve Pro on my mates PC.
    Universal G-code sender Platform for most work.
    OpenCNC Pilot for PCB manufacturing. (I use Design spark PCB and FlatCam for that).

    Hope that helps!
     
    #11 Christian James, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  12. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    Yes it does...
    So what is your work flow? I don't know anything about Sketchup 8

    does it export .nc or .stl files?
     
    #12 jda70az, Nov 29, 2020
  13. Christian James

    Christian James Journeyman
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    213
    Sketchup can export STL files using a plugin, but not .nc - those files (nc) are generated by a CAM program - sketchup is just CAD.
    V-carve can import .STL or sketchup files (.SKP) for creating toolpaths.There are other cam programs out there including Openbuilds cam for toolpathing and creating .nc files.

    So, for me, the workflow is...
    Sketchup for 2D or 3d drawings and .stl or .skp export.
    V carve (or other CAM program) for importing those files and creating g-code files.
    UGS for sending code to the CNC. (Openbuilds control can also be used).
    If you want to use Fusion for your drawing and g-code, make sure you use the correct post processor.

    Fusion 360: grbl post processor install (the easy way)

    The above may not be the latest but someone here will know.
     
    #13 Christian James, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  14. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2015
    Messages:
    2,915
    Likes Received:
    1,619
    Here is a great computer (so far in my experience) from Costco for $489 if you are a member. https://www.costco.com/hp-15.6"-touchscreen-laptop---10-gen-intel-i5-1035g1.product.100579386.html Costco gives a 3 year warranty automatically. If it is better than the one you design with, move that one to the shop. It also has touch screen capabilities. I bought one for my son for his birthday in September (I get his old one for my CNC Lathe) and he loves it and plays a lot of games on it. It has a solid state drive so it boots up quick. I just ordered another one for my other son for Christmas since he has the oldest laptop in the house now and I need another old one for my K40 laser. The old windows 7 craptop I have been using with the K40 is tooooooo slow for me. Here are some of the specs:
    • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1035G1 Processor at 1.0GHz
    • 12GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM
     
    #14 Giarc, Nov 29, 2020
    jda70az likes this.
  15. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    16
    Thanks guys.
     
    #15 jda70az, Nov 29, 2020

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice