What cam software are you using? We have some recommendations for post processors for a few different programmes :- docs:software:cam [OpenBuilds Documentation] Alex.
Shape3d for both design and g-code. And then WinCnc motion controller. I’ve been using this combo for 18 years. Recently, shape 3d added a simple 2d g-code generator for Hotwire profiles. This new feature works amazing on my large router with WinCnc but I need that machine routing all day. so I’ve built a simple 2 axis Hotwire machine from open builds parts. hoping it will run off g-code I can generate with shape3d. To keep things simple.
Might be best to ask Shape3D whether they have a Post processor that supports Grbl: Point them at gnea/grbl for a list of supported GCODEs.
Thank you. I think I’m in good shape. I can export g-code in several formats. To start, I just need to look at a sample g-code file and it’s extension...
Extension is irrelevant, its just a text file. gcode, gc, tap, nc, cnc, txt, all the same. Supported gcodes:
I was trying to do a pocket cut on OpenBuilds CAM Gcode Generator and I transferred it to the software on the computer but running the cut didn't turn the spindle on. I have made previous cuts before this and the spindle works up until now.
Settings, added a Spindle toolhead? Also make sure your Spindle S value (and Grbl Settings $30 to match) are correctly configured
I have it running on my Pi4 with Ubuntu 20.04 Process is something like: (I had to mess around to figure out what worked and this is my streamlined list for 'next time') 1 - apt update && apt upgrade && reboot 2 - install chromium-driver browser sudo apt install chromium-chromedriver 3 - sudo apt install build-essential 4 - run install script as at OpenBuilds/OpenBuilds-CONTROL this will warn about the missing jscs peer, so we repeat part of it below 5 - npm install --save-dev "jscs@^3.0.3" (adjust version as per messages from above script) 6 - cd ~/OpenBuilds-CONTROL 7 - npm install 8 - npm rebuild 10 - fix the icons (fixes paths on the fly) sed s/pi/$USER/ ~/OpenBuilds-CONTROL/pi-shortcut.desktop > ~/Desktop/OpenBuilds-CONTROL.desktop sudo cp ~/Desktop/OpenBuilds-CONTROL.desktop /usr/share/applications/OpenBuilds-CONTROL.desktop right click the desktop icon and select 'allow launching' 11 - Add your user to the dialout group (the dialout group has permission to access serial ports) sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER 12 - reboot
I'll have to give the portrait view a try.... I too would like to see more simulation area. My dense brain wouldn't tell me to turn my tablet! What sort of touchscreen do you run? Windows? Is that what is connected to your Black Box ?
Lots of simulation area when running portrait Here's the display: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P9CVY47/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The computer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D77W8CZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And yes, connected to the blackbox. Pics of my latest setup which is ever changing: Shawn's Workbee 1510
Dang that looks great! I'm going to explore this... question for you..... the curved mount for the monitor is that something you had or bought? Also, what sort of keyboard is that.... wifi/bluetooth, seems nice and compact - would like to find it on Amazon if possible. I put my tablet into portrait mode today and while it gives lots of simulation space the size of my tablet is not wide enough (11.6" x 7.5") so then the Tool slider wraps down. I am hoping I can find a touch screen that is larger but not too large and then do the micro pc like you have with the keyboard.
see To be tested at some point, sounds like an awesome feature by petervanderwalt · Pull Request #110 · OpenBuilds/OpenBuilds-CONTROL
Using the Raspberry Pi 400 I found the easiest method of getting the Raspberry to work perfectly was to get rid of Rapian and Ubuntu or even LinuxCNC and instead use the Twister OS operating system. There was No Need for searching for Drivers or anything else and Memory was an issue, it was a Perfect Example of Plug and Play. Which those of us over the years who have been working with computers and machine control has always been a Joke.
Is anyone aware of a video presentation that shows setting up and using Work Offsets in the OpenBuilds Controller Software? I am looking to have my Home position for General Setup as a G54 and setting up all other frequently made pieces using the remaining G55 to G255 Positioning. That way I can machine one piece at G55 and is I am doing further work on the otherside at a G56 and so on and so forth. Doing it this way, I don't have to worry about rehoming the machine in any axis other than the Z-Axis at most. G55 will home itself in a particular position on the machine and G56 will automatically home in a second position. My intent is to use a Secondary Wasteboard where I cut through it to the primary wasteboard, thus allowing me to insert the workpiece previously cut at G55 directly into the Secondary Wasteboard and Home it as a G56.
There's no fancy UI for multiple work offsets, but all you need to do is type the offset you want to change to in the serial console.
That's what I figured and I hope it works out without too many issues. So later tonight or tomorrow I will report as to how I made out typing the various Offsets into the Command Line. Going to try it first Cutting Air for sure. No sense damaging anything for the sake of trying to do something quicker instead of rezeroing for each operation. This would be one of the two ideas that could be intergrated in the OpenBuils Controller Software along with the Ability to use a USB Pendant. Then all of my Mach3 tooling could be incorporated into my new setup.
I have what might be a dumb question (I searched for a while and couldn't find an answer)... How do I update the app on Linux? I am running ubuntu and installed using a .deb package. Is the only way to update to uninstall and reinstall the newer version manually?
Why do most of the time, when I make a change to GRBL settings I don't get the 'save' icon to be blue, when I make a change, only one time it was blue. What do I do wrong?
If the change you made resulted in a value being different, to what the value was before, the save button goes blue. If you had say "200" in steps per mm, backspace it out, and enter "200" again, well, then its not a change, so it stays gray
First, I tried to change from 199 to 160, in the step/mm. To make sure it's a problem I randomly chose a setting, can't remember which one, that is set to 'disabled' and changed it to 'enabled' and it didn't change the icon to blue. I'm on Windows 10 and Control is 273. Another peculiarity I found, on two different Windows 10 laptops, is that when I click on the Control icon on my desktop, to start Control, rather than starting it goes to the hidden icon tray and I have to go to the tray and click on the Control icon there and than I get Control to open full on.
First start goes to tray. Reinstall it so start on boot like it should (first start, but you don't have to do it) It sits in the tray for API integration.
Works on this end: I also tested some random ones, so work through it again, attentively, and jot down which fields, which values had an issue.
After using the software a little I have two things I would like to add/change. 1. Can we have a field with the cutting speed, be it in in/min or mm/min. It is so essential to me. Having a slider with % is not giving me the exact speed I'm now, unless I go back to my calculator, check first the set speed in the g-code file (I forgot what I had set it to) and than calculate it. 2. Can the 'incremental jog' and the 'continuous jog' be made clickable buttons? I'm not using a touch screen and the clickable field is too small when I'm looking at the machine with one eye and try to find the field with the mouse with the other eye.
