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INTERFACE CNC Touch Controller

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by OpenBuilds, Dec 15, 2020.

  1. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  2. Gofertpc

    Gofertpc Well-Known
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    Got a notice they will ship next week. Merry Christmas everyone
     
  3. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Happy New Year everyone!
    Looks like INTERFACES will begin shipping today! What an awesome way to start out the new year
    Thank you all for your support to the OpenBuilds mission.:thumbsup:
     
  4. grnch

    grnch New
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    I received mine today! Question, is it metric only? Also the comment in the probez file is a bit confusing, can you explain how to set the probe thickness?
     
  5. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    If you have our XYZ Touch Probe Plus - Interface uses those variables to inject the offsets of our probe - ie plug and play, no need to "set" the thickness - see first paragraph of docs:interface:usage-probe [OpenBuilds Documentation]

    If you have a custom probe, you can edit the Macros and instead of the Probe Plus variables, use fixed numbers, but keep in mind that the Probe diameter menu also plays a role in calculating XY offsets, for your custom probe you cannot use the menu to set the diameter then, as we can't replace the variable anymore
    - We will in future add better support for custom probes, but for the best experience, consider getting a XYZ Touch Probe Plus instead - just so much easier for us to work with known offsets, positions, and instructions.

    Imperial DRO support has been added in firmware version 1.41, please update (See docs:interface:firmware-update [OpenBuilds Documentation])
    If you have v1.41 go to Tools and Util > Interface Config > Units to change between inch/mm mode
     
    #65 Peter Van Der Walt, Jan 6, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2021
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  6. JoshT

    JoshT New
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    The Interface docs have instructions for BlackBox 2.4-2.6 and v2.7. What should I do if mine is at 2.3 on the brains board and 2.1 on the base board? Is it incompatible? Am I SOL? Or, do I just pop out the FDN340P transistor and carry on as though it is a 2.4 board?

    PXL_20210106_191203180.jpg PXL_20210106_191209814.jpg
     

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  7. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Same as V2.4 :)
    Cool! There are very few of those out there! :) Good memories man!
     
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  8. JoshT

    JoshT New
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    Got it - deface a collectible. ;-)

    Thanks for the quick response!
     
  9. romamaker

    romamaker Well-Known
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    Received mine today! Can't wait to get home and give it a go.
     
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  10. grnch

    grnch New
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    I can confirm I just did a firmware update and was notified on the controller of the new version! Thanks for the Inch's version!
     
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  11. K. Orr

    K. Orr New
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    Works well for me. Only have ran two files at this point. Would like to see the source code made available so I can change screen colors for certain items. Can not read certain portions of the display when wearing laser safety glasses. It's a safety issue.
     
  12. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    maybe a high contrast 'black and white' mode for laser users?
     
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  13. K. Orr

    K. Orr New
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    High contrast would work I think!
     
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  14. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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  15. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    There is no usb-host to aurt adapters that I know off (opposite of an FTDI adapter, as the USB on the XC is a Client, not a Host)

    It runs an atnega, all atmegas has a uart. If it boils down to it, solder wires to the MCU pins if they have no other testing points or pins inside. Or replace it with a BlackBox
     
  16. Elmo Clarity

    Elmo Clarity Journeyman
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    Just opened up the X-Controller and I don't think soldering is an option. There is an ICSP header, but I don't think that can be used.
    EDIT: The X-Controller uses the ATMega328 which only has 1 hardware uart which drives the USB port. Might be able to do something but will require cutting traces.
     
    #76 Elmo Clarity, Jan 9, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2021
  17. ADW_01

    ADW_01 New
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    I finally received my Interface but now I’m feeling a bit disappointed. I emailed support 3 weeks ago to double check that it would work with my Sparks XPRO 3 v1.1 and they said it would. I’m trying to find the RX and TX on the controller and I can’t find it. Any ideas? Is my only option buying a black box?

    Thanks
     
  18. JoshT

    JoshT New
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    Interface mounted on my 1010 and ready to rock.
     

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  19. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    Nice use of those tee brackets. I think I have a few laying around as well.
     
  20. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Look at this https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Spark-Concepts/xPRO/master/wiki/xPRO pinout.jpg. The Tx and Rx pins are available. Just find a convenient 5 volt ad ground. Ground across from Tx.
    upload_2021-1-9_18-48-50.png
    Then read this docs:interface:connect-generic [OpenBuilds Documentation]
     
  21. jda70az

    jda70az Well-Known
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    That's pretty cool.
     
  22. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    #82 Peter Van Der Walt, Jan 9, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2021
  23. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    That looks awesome!
     
  24. ADW_01

    ADW_01 New
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  25. ADW_01

    ADW_01 New
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    Too late. I ordered the black box an hour ago. You guys are taking all my money
    Lol Thanks for the help anyway Peter
    I live in California so I have to wait a long week to get it.
     
  26. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    :) you won't regret all the newfound power, awesome documentation start [OpenBuilds Documentation], and ease of use
     
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  27. JSuster

    JSuster New
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    Through the Interface, is there a way to manually zero the x and Y axis then just use a probe to set Z? I only use a Z probe as most of the time I set X/Y in the middle of the workpiece. This will also come into play when changing bits for a job where only the Z axis will need to be re-set.
     
  28. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Yes, you can both zero (using setzero menu) and probe (tools and util > probe menu) individual axes as of firmware version 1.37 and up, currently on v1.41
     
  29. JSuster

    JSuster New
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    Thanks Peter, just verifying it will work for what I need. Though i already placed my order, so I was putting the cart before the horse.
     
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  30. Hoseff

    Hoseff New
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    I’m interested in getting one of these interfaces but I’m curious as to what would be involved with connecting it to the Arduino Uno that is currently controlling my machine. I know I’d have to make a cable but can someone help me with what’s involved? What connector do I need to plug into the interface and how does the other end connect to the Arduino?

    Thanks!
     

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