Can anyone explain the differences between the Blackbox x4 and x32? Why would one need/want the x32 over the x4?
If you have a 4X there's less of a need to upgrade. Its a gentle evolution of the line. Same thing. Just newer. If the 4X works, keep going with it. If you wanted to add a 4th axis rotary, the X32 would be a "need" Wifi is nice, but USB is great too. Not really a need that one grblHAL is more powerful than grbl but if you are just running a plain kit machine, you won't use the advanced features. Think of it how car manufacturers brings out new models of the same car. Just a gentle modernised update
And I assume by adding the OpenBuilds Interface I can eliminate the communication points; WiFi and USB?
Yes, Interface makes the machine standalone; see https://docs.openbuilds.com/interface to learn more about it
IS there any way to get my hands on a couple of X4 units? I am tired of trying to deal with the X32. I have 2 different machines one is running a X4 and the other is running an X32 and both are running 2.2 KW HY Spindles/VFDs. The X4 machine runs flawlessly. The x32 I cannot get to turn off the spindle completely. I have checked the voltage 01-10 and it is what it is supposed to be. I have min Spindle speed set to 0 in GRBL. The firmware is up to date. No matter what I do, I get 14 to 72 rpms when I M5 the x32 machine. At this point I would just prefer to go with what works and cut my losses. Is there any way to get my hands on x4s?
as MisterG said, compare the settings on the two VFD's, one is correct, the other is missing a min speed setting
Yes, that setting is PD11 which is set to 0 for both machines. Changing it to 120 cause the rpms to stay at ~7200 when issuing M5. The residual rpm is very negligible between 14 and 72 rpms, but there non-the-less and I have to disconnect VFD power in order to stop the Spindle. If I switch the x4 and x32 controllers, the issue moves to the machine with the x32 controller, so the issue is not the VFD programming.
Did you remember to wire up your enable (or fwd/rev) via the relays? docs:blackbox-x32:connect-vfd [OpenBuilds Documentation]
Hmm it appears I have victimized myself by not having the most current version of the instructions. I will add the additional wiring when I get home and report my results back. As always, thanks Peter for helping me pull my head out of my bum! Is the link you provided a safe link to save for future reference (as in it is keep current)?
