Well, ...it's official now!

 

So I assume the first few "BlackBoxes" went into making these to keep up with the shipping demand for these things:

 

Quick question: Does this thing run GRBL? Is it compatible with UGS, GRBL Panel, etc?

MG

 

Looks nice on the surface, but Black box indeed. There's not nearly enough specifications to make an informed decision on whether to buy one of these.

Which stepper drivers are used? What hardware/software is the controller built on?

 

I see you removed the IOT power relay requirement from the docs. Will you be offering this in the future?

 

Ordered

Just to have a play (needed to get An addition board for when I’m playing with new builds etc)

 

I'm still a couple of months off from being able to start/re-start my project, do you expect any availability issues, if the first run sells out quickly how much time would we be looking at for a restock? Also, what's up with the stepper motors, will the store be restocking those soon?

 

Can you upgrade the firmware through the USB port?

Is the USB port isolated?

MG

 

Thanks Mark!

 

Thanks. So far looks like a nice job.

MG

 

Isn't Black Box both? (Unicorn and dragon...)

 

Dragicorn?

 

Thanks Mark, I missed that. Still doesn't say which stepper driver IC's are used though Maybe you could add a link to the schematics in the docs so that they are easier to find.

 

Seems to be isolated according to the schematics mentioned above.

 

How do you adjust the motor current? I mean I read the documentation, and all it says is "Adjust the current until you can no longer stall the motor under normal operating conditions." That's pretty lame. Are there test points for Vref so you can set the current to a specific value?

Do the driver chips supply partial current when stopped to lock the motors in place? I see the Enable line is connected, so I assume it does, but what is the lock current setting?

Also, the schematic does not list the Stepper Driver chip part #. Can you tell us or is it a secret?

MG

 

Thanks Guys, I have been waiting for this controller for some time.

Will be using it to finish off my Laser build... Dumping the CNC Shield that I was going to use, it was not the current version anyhow.

I usually wait before I jump into things but Openbuilds have never let me down, so I am purchasing this immediately and going out on a limb with a brand new product, I have every confidence that the Openbuilds team has done extensive testing, I have just placed my order !!

Cheers Glenn.

 

Hi Tarjei

I looked through the schematics and I don't think there is any isolation. There is a section labelled V-USB Isolator but it's just a switch to isolate the USB +5V from the controller +5v. The serial to USB chip is just a standard FT232 which is not isolated. Isolated USB is useful to eliminate ground loops between your computer and the CNC machine. I always use stepper drivers with optically isolated control signals, and never connect the Arduino circuit ground to the motor power supply ground. The 5V supply switching regulator on the schematic is just a single ended flyback converter, so is not isolated, and it appears the "brain" ground is connected to the "Muscle" ground so there is no circuit isolation.

All this is probably OK if you use a laptop for control, but a desktop may present problems.

MG