Hello I have three questions if you don’t mind 1) In INTErFACE under Edit Grbl Profile, is there a place that I can find the definitions of the commands. Specifically I am trying to correct a rotary from 68 deg to 360 deg. But it would be nice to learn the details of some of the commands including changing the rotary. 2) I updated CONTROL today and noticed new 4th axis capability. Is this defined anywhere? 3) In CONTROL is there a syntax checker? thanks John
BlackBox 4X runs Grbl, so see Home · gnea/grbl Wiki BlackBox X32 runs grblHAL, so see Home · grblHAL/core Wiki Yes, if you get a new BlackBox X32 and set up a 4 Axis machine No
for syntax checking you can send a $C to the controller and then send the Gcode. the controller will accept the commands and interpret them, but will not move any motors. if there are any commands it does not like it will show an error. a better way is to use a proven postprocessor to generate correct Gcode in the first place (-: hand writing Gcode is only for those highly tolerant of repeated crashes (-:
Thank you very much. Yes I am frustrated. Code that ran two days ago would not run yesterday. No changes. Same memory stick. No error indication prior to running. Code display seems to indicate sending same instruction over and over or just stuck. Since interface just sends could it be a bb problem. I did buy a x32 maybe I should install it. Do you (or others) have any advice? thanks Somewhat tolerant of repeated crashes - a learning experience. but the hammer is getting heavy hitting my head John
Is your Interface firmware up to date? V1.57 at the time of this reply. If not, please update. Where is the gcode from though? 100% sure it is Grbl compatible? You can post it here using the Upload a file button next to Post Reply for us to check If the gcode had an error, you'd see a visible error pop up saying "invalid gcode" so that guess unlikely. Does it always get stuck on the same line? What line is shown onscreen?
Thanks Peter and David I will get answers this afternoon. Since it was intermittent, run once and not the next day. I will also switch memory sticks. I am on my second INTERFACE. Have there been usb connections issues? I think I had proprietary cable connector issues. The software that I modified came from onzenest (sp) out of the Vectric list. I will send the file and what it says when running thanks john
Make sure to use our Vectric Post processor with Vectric to ensure its optimal: docs:software:vectric [OpenBuilds Documentation] If you had that, it would not see the USB drive at all, so not related. Make sure you are up to date first - more likely if you've never updated or had it a while. See docs:interface:firmware-update [OpenBuilds Documentation] (if you skipped updates for a while Option 2 or 3 would be the way to go)
Re Vectric post processor I am trying to set up for a Rotary 4th axis. Modifying a onznest pp(sp) I don’t believe there is a Vectric one for bb yet. I purchased a x32 but have not installed it. I believe you are working on a 4th axis post processor but not out yet. Am I thinking correctly?
Thanks Peter your intuition regarding backdated firmware was right on. I was at 1.51 and I updated to 1.57. I wish that fixed it. I have uploaded the *.tap file that doesn't work amongst several. Right now the file gets stuck, it seems and this is what is constantly on the screen: Running: /5Round~1TAP 0.00% Sending: G1A0.000 -> seems to be constantly sent/flashing fast
I see in the code you posted you are sending G20 G90 G0Z1.271 G0A0.000Y0.000 M3S16000 As the first few lines. Are you using the BlackBox? Is this a standard machine with an extra rotary axis? If so are you unplugging the X axis when you are using the rotary?
Thanks Giarc Yes I have a black box and interface. I am using vcarve pro. Yes this is a standard Workbee machine that I have placed a rotary in the y direction. I have removed the x axis cable and plugged it into the rotary motor. thanks for asking john
Yes, it should - just remember to flash the 4 Axes firmware from Wizards and Tools > Firmware Flashing tool. We haven't completed documentation for the 4 axis setups but shout if you run into issues we'd be happy to help you figure it out together Or you could use Vectric and it's Wrapping function to wrap the rotary around the Y axis properly
Peter thanks for the words, I appreciate it and Merry Christmas to all that work the forum. I think you are saying flash a new memory stick with 4th axis stuff and load my rotary tap onto it, is that correct? j
CONTROL V1.0.340 or later (make sure you are up to date) > Wizards and Tools > Firmware flashing tool > BlackBox X32 > 4 Axes > Flash (Puts new firmware on the BlackBox X32 to make Y2 be the A axis driver) Interface has no 4th axis support at this time, so you may want to use CONTROL instead as it has A-Axis support (DRO and jog buttons, no 3D view support yet)
Thanks I will go down that road and let you know how it works out. I assume since y2 is the wrap driver then you cannot wrap using X onto Y where X is the driver and the rotary is aligned along y. johnl
No Y2 has always been the "spare/slave" driver - even on the old BlackBox (settable by jumpers docs:blackbox-4x:jumper-slaveaxis [OpenBuilds Documentation]) With the X32 thats under firmware control. With the standard 3 axes firmware (preinstalled) the spare/slave is called Y2 because most of our machines has dual-Y The 4 axes firmware, uses X as X, Y as Y, Z as Z, and the spare driver as A ( a proper A - You can even do full 4th work (XYZ and A ) You can of course customise well beyond that too - you can use the spare as Dual X, Dual Y, Dual Z, you can even go as far as compiling it as a single axes firmware and all 4 drivers are that axis. grblHAL is very configurable. You can compile it as a B axis if you want it parallel to Y for example A axis is typically parallel to X:
Thanks it looks like all I have to do is change A to B and recompile. Thanks for the explanation!! John
Before you do, just check if Vectric doesn't also allow you to use A in that orientation. I know its possible, but off hand I've not compiled for B yet
Just reading through old post looking for a post processer for vcarve pro that is set up for y axis being run as an a (rotary) axis for the blackbox 32 I have built a machine that just has x and z axis, no y axis and then trying to run the 4th axis as my a axis. Is there a post processer out there for that?
If you keep it as a Y you can just use the standard Wrapping function in Vectric. Check out LEAD Lathe
As Peter said, keep it as the Y axis and use the Vectric rotary post processor for grbl based machines. Here is the Rotary Demon post processor: LEAD Lathe Here is a step by step on how to use it in Vcarve: LEAD Lathe
Hi I have been out of the cnc loop for almost a year and I find my mind is empty trying to get back in. one in the family was very sick and/still requires some care. I had purchased a bb 32 almost the second day offered and was in the process of replacing my older bb. (as indicated above) I had not flashed it yet. I was wondering how many changes I have missed between then and now. (I don’t need to know) Will I be close to successful flashing it now or have there been hardware changes that I am not aware of or would it be better to send it back for a fix and current load? Thanks John Raney
We don't offer that service. You can flash firmware directly from CONTROL by yourself. See section 7.1 of the BlackBox Documentation
Hello I trying to flash my x32 bb. I have a usb cable going from my computer to the computer port on the x32. I have updated control to 1.0.370. I run tab bb x32 selecting FTDI USB to serial com3. I know I am on com 3 since control detects it. Then 2/3 axis cnc/laser: Dual y. Then flash do no erase. Interface firmware version is 1.57. I run flash and I get in caps - firmware update complete. Results on Interface in red are, usb drive - no drive; WiFi - entered setup mode 1; firmware - unable to check; grbl - not connecting Also , Check connection to Aux1 serial connection on bb is written after grbl tries to connect. I have nothing connected to Aux1. Then the interface goes to Mario bros.
