So would the communications protocol for that be called telepathy (brainboard to brainboard).

 

I think I got everything else wired right, but I'm a bit unsure if this is the right way to use the relay? I don't want to fry anything...

So I'm trying to add a 12V solenoid to the machine, which I would trigger with the M8/M9 commands (already changed the jumper).

The solenoid has a separate 12V, 3A PSU.

Edit: Wiring it this way seems to work. Some instructions recommend adding a flyback diode as a saftey measure, so I'll do that before doing more tests.

 

thank you for getting me squared away. I have followed the company ever since the OX Cnc was still fresh( currently own) and have poked my head in every once in a while to see how far openbuilds has reached. thanks to your company and the forum support I have been able to learn, create, and share my ideas to to everyone I come in contact with. thank you, the forums, and openbuilds for making ideas go from imagination to reality.

 

Mark, you are a class act!

 

Hey guys,
So, I just built my WorkBee 1010 and pulled out the Black Box to hook up and noticed the WorkBee had me install 2-wire limit switches, but the BB has 3-wire plugs. To be fair.. I stopped working on it pretty late and I haven’t investigated it too closely again, but will I somehow be able to hook up those two wires to the BB or will I need to run an additional wire from the limit switches?

 

Two wire limit switches work fine.

Just connect to the outer connectors on the three pin connector and leave the center disconnected.

 

Awesome! Doing this today. Thanks!

 

Thanks, Mark. Taking a look now.

 

I could’ve sworn that was a dead link a couple days ago. Just the page I needed! Thx!

 

Just a quick update on my experience with the BB Controller

I got mine as soon as was released. Must have been one of the very first to order and get it up and running.

It was the intention to have it to play with and see if it was an improvement on the xpro3 I had previously as an ‘all in one’ board, and how it compared to my DQ542MA drivers controlled by an Arduino that powered my main machine.

My main machine is a LEAD 1010 - used to be a Sphinx but liked the look of the LEAD and had most of the parts sat in the workshop for the conversion, (with a few tweaks such as an extra top set of wheels on each of the axis and the z from the Sphinx as I much prefer the fixed c beam z configuration). Normally this is connected up to an arduino and 4 DQ542MA drivers so I set this up as a second controller on quick disconnect plugs so I could swap in when I had time to have a play in between paid work.

From the moment I first powered it up I was hugely impressed with the stability and power from the small unit and it compared very favourably to the DQ542MA’s.

But..... as soon a I started to actually cut with the BB I was blown away by the smoothness of the toshiba drivers. They make a huge difference.

I’ve set the current at approx 3/4 for my high torque ‘23’s’ and they are loving it. - I've not tweaked any further due to lack of time but have not found any reason to either.

All the limit switches are working a treat with no false triggers which I used to get on the xpro, and the Arduino until i put pull ups on the Limit inputs.

I was slightly disappointed by the lack of a ‘stop’ input on the BB, but it’s not a huge issue as i got around the problem by wiring in a separate button on one of the limit inputs as a substitute and it works well - I do have a full power cutting e-stop on the end of the bench as well but the ‘limit connected button’ comes in handy when I forget to zero and hit start - we’ve all done it at least once! Having it configured this way allows me to reset the alarm, zero everything and hit start with little fuss.

In fact i'm tat impressed with what this little box can do i have replaced DQ542MA / Arduino combo with the BB and will be selling those on.

I see the occasional person posting up to say they are having issues, which can be expected with a small percentage, but thought i'd balance this with a positive review as well. I must also say that when people are posting up issues the support they are receiving seems to be top notch, so well done on that.


Once again congrats on a superb product!

 

Well.. I was able to get everything hooked up, loaded the drivers and grbl.. changed $4=1 and got x and y axis working. Z is a no-go and instantly throws an error light (!) anytime an axis is jogged. I’ve contacted the OpenBuilds team and it appears that I’m already on the list for a replacement BB unit when they’re available again (Mid-April). Nice! Sucks to wait, but I’m thankful for the support. The down time will give me an opportunity to design and print a dust shoe.

 

Just wondering if the Apr 15th date for blackbox is still looking good?

 

Hi all,
I'm in the process of planning my build and I'm finding this "black box" interesting and clean and hopefully easy to use (hopefully). In trying to future proof my build I was wondering if this "black box" would be able to control an extruder for 3d printing if I ever wanted to add one. I'm to understand the BB would be able to control 3 axis's and a slave but the CNC I'm planning on would be using all 4. I thought I read there was a possibility for the BB to grow to 6 axis's .

Thx

 

"Your memory RE 6 axes support was the OpenBuilds APEX that was put on the back burner to do Blackbox instead - to cover the needs of 99% of our user base first."

Does this mean APEX is still alive?

 

Thank you for the reply's all. I just wanted to plan a head. I'm looking forward to learning more about all this and this "black box" controller seems like a simple way to go. Being new I guess I miss understood this line under the description.

"Cover the use case of 99% of our users: From our own experiences and through many discussions and support requests, we had clear knowledge of EXACTLY what users need! We upgraded to 4 super powerful smart axes onboard (with expansion headers for a future upgrade) and we made sure to include all the IO you will ever need."

Thanks again and I will keep reading on.

 

Cool, the Blackbox seems to be a excellent product I was more curious than anything. If the APEX does make a comeback I’m sure it will be a worthy member of the OpenBuilds family.

 

Just heard back from openbuilds support and now they are saying April 22nd before the blackbox is back in stock.....

This is disappointing! A month to restock your shelves?

 

Hi Mark, I purchased a Workbee 750mm x 1000mm for Ooznest in the UK. I have been trying to get it running for over 3 months and am totally fed up with this Duet Controller. I have worked with Ryan remotely and he says everything is fine but when he disconnects, I can't get the machine to do anything. I am fairly new to the CNC world but I'm sure it can't be as tough as it seems. Haven't been able to make one part yet. I noticed this new Black Box and thought maybe this may be my solution. I have a 24V power supply and all the limit switches. Can this replace the Duet controller from Ooznest and what all would I need to purchase to get up and running?