With a custom macro, all things are possible: Can OB Control Software pop up a message if it detects specific code in the GCode file?
Note that is one for at the time the file is loaded, if you want it during the job, you'll need to write your own macro, and it would be more complicated (split job at text message position, run first part, popup message, wait for ok/time, run next part etc)
yes, put M0 in the Gcode. This will cause a pause, you cannot display a message, press 'run' to continue Using a timed pause while an operator does something is NOT the way to do it (especially NOT toolchanges), the pause will always be too long or too short and the machine will start moving unexpectedly.
Hi, I have been programming a CNC foam cutter machine and I have set up everything using GRBL and UGS. However, in UGS my tool is on Z axis (blue) but I need it in Y axis (green) (I will post an image for reference). I was hoping this is something that could potentially be changed from GRBL. The first image show the axes as I would require them and the second one shows how I got them.
Hi, the tool will always be on the Z axis (by convention). There was a time when the axis colours on UGS were different to the convention of red / green / blue for X / Y / Z - it looks like that is the case in your first picture (but I think it is the graphic from the UGS site, so possibly an old image?) I gave up with UGS and moved to OpenBuilds Control instead - I found it *much* nicer to use.
Thank you so much. I am trying OpenBuilds Control a go and I was wondering what type of files it supports as drawings?
OpenBuilds Control requires a GCode file, the same as UGS. (If you're starting from a drawing, you will need some sort of CAM software to generate the GCode - apologies if you already know this!)
I have been trying to use Inkscape but it comes with a sort of error, is there any other softwares you can recommend or are you familiar with Inkscape? Thank you
I'm reasonably familiar with Inkscape, however I've never used it to generate GCode (I presume you're using the 'gcodetools' extension?) From the quick look that I've had, I'd suggest using Inkscape to generate your SVG files, and then something else to convert them to GCode. OpenBuilds have (free) CAM software that will do this. Although I've never used it, I'm sure that someone else here will be able to give you support with it if you need it. OpenBuilds Software: OpenBuilds CONTROL and OpenBuilds CAM If your 'tool' is a laser cutter, then Laser GRBL can take SVG files directly and also send the GCode to your machine. (I use Fusion360 which is a full-blown CAD/CAM program and would likely be a steep learning curve and massive overkill unless you're into that sort of thing already!)
Another option would be to use SketchUp (the 2017 version) and the Ruby file SketchUcam which generates the g-code file. I use it exclusively for all my 2.5d work. I use Fusion a lot but only for my 3d printing.
a hot wire foam cutter? then you need to see https://www.youtube.com/@rckeith otherwise I need pictures of the machine please, I don't get where Y as a tool comes into it
I have a question! I use my cnc and laser connected to the same computer. Now I've never had any issues at all until suddenly I started up my lightburn and it communicated to the wrong machine. Instead of the laser it communicated with my black box... I could hear a relay flipping. Since then I'm unable to upload any gcode to my cnc. I can manually move my cnc but the minute I upload a file, I can see my file outside of the machine cut area in the view and I get the error 20 in block M7. I have no idea what to do now. I guess my girl got rewritten or something? I'm at a los and I need to do a customer job lmao.Any help would be great! Best regards Jeff
select the correct port. windows has a habit of changing the port names (or keeping them unexpectedly). id you perhaps, move the USB plugs around?
I did but ever since, every gcode I load in my black box controller software, my object is on the outside of my work area and I get the error code 20 block m7
Both those come from your gcode. Origin is set in your CAM workflow, invalid gcode commands come from your gcode. Try the hello world again, to confirm, but likely just the CAM setup. M7 is Mist, standard BlackBox has Coolant (M8). CAM up some proper gcode with the origin set correctly and Coolant instead of Mist commands
Weird but I think ok I understand. I have always used easel by inventables as cam. Up until a few days ago where I started to get this error ever since lightburn tried to connect with my cnc. But as test I just generated gcode via openbuilds cam and it worked! So openbuilds cam gcode works and easel generated gcode no longer does. I don't get it...
I have a strange problem. I got a router with a BlackBox controller from my brother, when I connect to the USB port (with minicom) the GRBL software responds with: Grbl 1.1g ['$' for help] [MSG:'$H'|'$X' to unlock] But, nothing I type back causes any response whatsoever. I have tried restarting, rebooting, etc. with no luck. It's frustrating because I have another router with a controller running 1.1h that works just fine when I do the same thing. Is there some magic that I am overlooking?
Have you tried sending $X ? The message implies that the controller has homing enabled, and requires homing at power up, or ‘$X’ to override
Don't use Minicom. Use OpenBuilds CONTROL from OpenBuilds Software: OpenBuilds CONTROL and OpenBuilds CAM
That does not work either. It was my first choice, but when I launch the application it does not recognize any USB device. It displays "Waiting for USB" next to the USB icon. I understand CONTROL is supposed to pick a USB device based on a successful handshake (of some sort) with GRBL. In an effort to debug the issue I used minicom, so I could see the data being passed. I discovered that GRBL does send its initial message, but does not respond to any commands that it is sent. Thus the request for help. I know it supposed to work, as I've used minicom that way to validate the connection to another GRBL based device. I know USB is working, or my computer would not recognize the USB device, but in an abundance of caution, I've tried: different (know good) USB cable, different USB port on computer, and different computer. I've tried the reset button & power cycling. Nada! When I try CONTROL the Log/Serial Console displays: [11:22:23] [ 3D Viewer ] WebGL Support found! success: this application will work optimally on this device! [11:22:23] [ websocket ] Bidirectional Websocket Interface Started Succesfully [11:22:30] [update ] Checking for Updates Nothing about USB. On the Trouble Shooting Page under Communications I see: Installed Version: v1.0.370 Backend Queue Blocked: Ready Connection Status: Not Connected Connected To: none Serial Queue: 0 Websocket Status: Connected Firmaware: [-blank-] My computer shows the BlackBox controller as: Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0403:6001 Future Technologies Device International, Ltd FT232 Serial (UART) IC. Are there schematic available for the Black Box so I can try some hardware debugging? Is there anything else I should try?
I fixed the problem. It seems that the serial port was set to use RTS/CTS flow control and the BlackBox was not asserting the signal. I disabled RTS/CTS with "stty -F. /dev/ttyUSB0 -crtscts" and communications works fine.
Is it possible to run a z axis, torch heaight control, for a plama cutter, on Grbl? I have it wprking wothout a torch heoght control at the moment, but would like to add it.
Is there a list of grbl / grblhal settings that require a restart when changed? Currently Control doesnt update the values in the grbl settings tab when they are changed via the serial input box or via gcode. With a few lines of code its easy enough to change this behavior, but was thinking there might be a reason not to, at least for some of them. To be more specific, I want to add a macro that toggles between router and laser mode. In addition to toggling $32, I'd like to change soft limits and acceleration.
Not that I know of, at least not a complete one. Grbl v1.1 Configuration says Some ... not very specific - for CONTROL I played it safe and just ask for reset any time someone clicks save (could actually do away with the prompt and just force it). The extra reset has the added benefit that on firmware startup, CONTROL gets the startup string again - and kicks off a $$ to get the new settings anyway as if its a fresh connection In our experience doesn't need a reset - I think we even had setups where thats added in CAM (router jobs has $32=0 in header, laser jobs has $32=1) I think you can do this one without a reset too Definately needs a reset - often trips people while "tuning" - keeps tuning upward, never resets (clicks cancel on prompt). Feels yay I am on 1.8gazillionmm/s^2 ! I did good. Shuts down. Next day - Oh no machine stalls!
