Can I ask what version of BlackBox you have. I returned 2 Interfaces about a year ago (usb related problems) and I just ordered another. This is a great concept, I really want it to work. I’m hoping that 3 times a charm. John.

 

Like Peter said. They are addressing the issue. They had a batch that got through their testing process and they are clearing out the bad apples. The ones they are shipping are tested and working. Mine works flawlessly now except for the button not working occasionally but that is a noise issue from my machine that I cannot track down.

 

Thanks for all the help. My diy cnc is all aluminum and all electronics are grounded. I have also grounded the frame. I’ve never had a problem with EMI before so I hope the interface will work properly.

 

How do I add tool diameters to the probing function?

 

Gotcha. That's a bummer, but I get it. Thanks for getting back to me.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I may just use a dowel. It turns out I mostly have odd sized bits. I blame the imperial measurement system!

 

This is a fantastic controller IMHO.. I'm a new at CNC/Laser etching and just got my first system setup.. I went "all in" and bought the black box and this controller and I'm loving it. I love that I can be in my home office, work out my burn file with LightBurn, then point my browser at the controller and "upload" the gcode. Run into the garage, set up the laser cutter, and off I go. Only thing missing is being able to check on cut process from the browser and clean up files on the controller.. Ok I'm lazy, dont want to walk to the garage to check on progress. But totally loving this controller!

 

Just swapped out my xPro v5 for BB + Interface - very happy with the decision!

Couple questions/comments if I could on Interface:

1. Is there any possibility to have the "Go to XYZ Zero" offer a menu to choose XY, Z, or XYZ? Not sure if I'm in the minority, but I always have the spoilboard as Z0, so driving Z to zero doesn't end well . Being able to just drive XY would be nice. I can run this as a program from USB, just thought it would be more user friendly.
2. Not sure if there is an accessible variable for the WCS, but could be neat to be able to set a default WCS in settings and have the probing macros use it.

 

Hello, I am French, does the interface work without a blackbox? is it compatible with cnc6040 cncest? is the interface menu in French? can we directly connect the interface to the cnc? thank you so much.

 

Hello,

Is it possible to run the INTERFACE with an Duet2?
The Duet supports UART but it is RepRap based. Maybe some firmware editing on the Interface is nescessary to run the right commands?

When it is possible, wich software is needed to build a custom firmware for the INTERFACE?

 

Okay, Thank you.

 

Hey all,
I am doing some very simple work using a 2 axis system mounted to a lathe with a straight blade to cut rubber tubing accurately. I am looking to add the interface into my system and cant figure out how to transfer my macros to it. all of my commands are fairly simple grbl jog commands but they repeat and I have all of my macros set to return to zero once they reach the end of the cuts. for example

$J=G91G20y.87F5
$J=G91G20y-.87F100
$J=G91G20x2.23F5000
$J=G91G20y.87F5
$J=G91G20y-.87F100
$J=G91G20x2.23F5000
$J=G91G20y.87F5
$J=G91G20y-.87F100
$J=G91G20x2.23F5000
$J=G91G20y.87F10
$J=G91G20y-.87F100
$J=G90G20Y0F5000
$J=G90G20X0F5000

I have it saved in open builds control V1.0.321 but when I use the "prepare USB flashdrive" wizard none of the macros come over.

 

is there a resource to walk me through this?

 

I see that section but do not see how to create a gcode file. I am not very experienced in gcode and really only know enough about it to get our setup to move across the 2 axis we have built. Is there a way to convert a .txt file to a .gcode file?

 

Did you ever get an answer about the TVS?

 

Setup the Interface and everything looks good so far, I did notice in probing settings the minimum bit diameter is 0.5mm. Wondering if 0.25mm can be added into the firmware easily enough? as I plan on using one for some intricate details.

 

Yea I was hoping to avoid tool changes for probing.
With the gcode routines why not always just do it that way and bother with the menu at all? (just trying to understand why have the menu option)

I see in the github repo it's just a compiled bin file, is there any source code for the interface available? I'm far from a developer but would happily take a look at the code to try and add a 0.25mm option and create a PR.
The only argument against more defined endmill sizes I can see is the menu being annoying to use, in which case I think switching between imperial and metric as an option would fix that.

This seems to be the only shortcoming I can see on the Interface, everything else seems pretty great

 

I don't avoid toolchanges for probing - quite the opposite. Many bits are not the size they claim to be (meaning you would have to change your probe offsets to be accurate) and the orientation of the bit (I use a lot of single flute bits and V-bits) can mean that you cannot probe both X and Y accurately. I use an accurately turned brass rod to probe X and Y and then change to the bit to probe Z.
Alex.