Precision interface

Interface just sends the commands, so precision is down as good as you've built and calibrated the machine.

 

You can move the machine while at Interface.
For manual moves, use Jog Speed to lower speed for smaller jogs.
For larger moves set Jog Speed faster.


What Interface is meant to do, is to make things easy as can be: grab yourself a XYZ Touch Probe Plus (automatically find exact zero)

Its way more productive and precise with the Probe

Probing instructions: docs:interface:usage-probe [OpenBuilds Documentation]
Demo video showing the probing as well: docs:interface:usage-instructions [OpenBuilds Documentation]

 

1) Its meant for use with the probe (much better user experience) |
2) Interface's UI doesn't allow for extra buttons for step sizes and the like without extra complicated menus, for a feature almost no one uses. Invest in a probe, change the way you work you won't look back

 

So what do you do (other than zeroing) - some non standard machine? I mean we base what we do on the stats from thousands of users, so seems you are doing something out of step (so do share instead?)
As jogging is just for zeroing prior to running job in all standard CNC workflows after all.

You'd have to help us understand what you mean/need

 

Did you remember to install Drivers? docs:blackbox-x32:install-drivers [OpenBuilds Documentation]
Also see docs:blackbox-x32:faq-usb-connection-failed [OpenBuilds Documentation]
Also try a different computer

Interface has always been shown (and in the documentation) as a "load and run the job" - thats what its for. Besides, you have the mill converted to CNC now, why use buttons to do manual machining, start to CAM up those jobs and the the CNC, be a "CNC"

 

Try a different PC, should be a more productive test than smashing. Plugging in USB, installing driver and connecting in CONTROL is usually as simple as it gets, so if its not working, its likely a computer problem.
USB is factory tested (we flash the firmware via USB, and its working via Interface, so we know it was alive and working and worked for flashing firmware and factory QA)

 

Thanks for the suggestion, logged as an enhancement request. Have a great day

 

I think you are trying to connect the Interface via USB to the computer, this is only done for setup.
For the PC to control the machine you disconnect the Interface and connect PC -> Blackbox
You cannot connect the PC and the Interface at the same time and have them both working.

Also, check your USB cable, it might be a phone charging cable without data pins (-:

 

I see what you are saying, you are trying to use the Interface to do 'manual milling' for which you need precise steps per button press.
The Interface is just not designed for this particular use, but CONTROL will do it easily.
So we are left with the USB not connecting.....
I already mentioned checking the cable, do other things work through it?
Do other things like webcameras work on the PC USB ports?
Front ports? They may not be plugged into the motherboard correctly, try the back ports.

 

Or just wait until the developers finish the enhancement request?... Little patience please, we are trying out best to accommodate your non-standard use, working through the night here

See attached video of early work on it already done last night... Just wait a day or two thanks.

In general, a little patience and friendly kindness is always a better way to get what one wants
First had to figure out what you mean by precision (if you said Incremental vs Continuous we could have saved some back and forth) then figure out what you are doing to see if theres an existing way around it, and finally once we figured out what you need, logged the request. Now we have to code it up, and test it.

 

No worries man, and if you are up for it, will try sending you untested, unreleased version soon as I can (might take a day or more) then you can help with testing

 

Definitely will be a day or two
Dev team is on a different official task during day, so this will be done after hours off the clock

Will post here when I've got something

In the meantime, do get your computer/drivers sorted, going to have to flash new firmware via USB

 

do keep in mind that jogging in steps happens at rapid feedrates while continuous jogging happens at an adjustable feedrate, unless the team is allowing setting a feedrate and a step size

 

Yeah, jogging for manual milling is still not quite the right way (still thinking learning to CAM might be a better exercise) but at least adding whats in CONTROL = tit for tat then (is somewhat popular request, so not bad to finally get it in there, for the folks that want incremental for zeroing etc)

Interface really tricky to implement both a size and a feedrate (wish we had a few more buttons next to LCD for context buttons) so will likely be just either
- Incremental Mode (with steps 0.001, 0.1, 1, 10inch/mm) and max rate feedrate, or
- Continuous Mode (jogs as long as button is down, but feedrate of 100, 50, 25, 5, 1%)

Using the two Jog Speed buttons (+ and -) we can cycle

( 0.01mm → 0.1mm → 1mm → 10mm → 100mm → 1% → 5% → 25% → 50% → 100% → back to 0.01mm )
or in Inch Mode
( 0.001in → 0.01in → 0.1in → 1in → 10in → 1% → 5% → 25% → 50% → 100% → back to 0.001in )

At least thats best we can come up with the moment, coming up with a way to make it elegant has always been why its never been added yet. Has to be functional and friendly