Well I thought you'd not have to hear from me again today. I guess I'm glad I am taking a bit longer to complete things as I'm not , yet, at this point. I look forward to the next video with the alternative choices. Thanks Demon
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Off to go update my settings. Im sure this is throwing a wrench in the thc release. Any updates on that? Cant wait to give you more money haha!
@@johnsassano8728 No Z axis right now, so I'm using one of the included ones, GRBL plasma no Z. I did have to edit the postprocessed to add a "spindle speed" S1000 to the M3 part of the post.
Thank you so much for updates. I personally don't use Fusion much and there are a couple "better" options for me that I find simpler for making my parts
Looks great. I haven't built mine yet but am loving all the updates. I use solidworks I wonder if I'd be able to model in solid works and open a step file in one of these other softwares to get the gcode. I'm sure solidworks can do it, I've just never messed with it.
Great update JD. Love the design, bought the plan, just need to get some other projects done before I build. I like how you guys are constantly improving and evolving the design. '92 NDSU alum here. Go Bison!
Hey guys! I just got all of my electronics and such. Is there a video for how you wired up this sucker? i'm not very well versed in wiring things from scratch. I dont want to botch this project lol. I'd like to replicate how you have it.
Hi, I bought the plans 10 months ago made my electronics up with my stepper motors all worked good but not done anything with it till now . Openbuilds wont connect to my arduino do I have to do this update ??? if so my old plans dose not have the bottom two rows in section 5 that you talk about as i see this update was 4 months ago. please advise.
When I built cnc, I mainly used your plans for frame only. I upgraded Z axis to have dual support for bigger cnc torch so it wont sag, and added m6 nuts for better fixturing to metal backing plate,3D printed tapped holes are very bad imho. I'm using mach3 for controlling cnc with BSMCEO4U-PP controller (9$) and THC SD for simple thc action. Was about finished building my own THC, but time is money, so bought a used one. My plasma source was 390€ (including shipping and cnc type torch). I skip on fushion 360 Z axis and use custom mach3 plasma screen ,where all settings related to Z axis and piercing time is preset there (saves time on loading to mach3). Computer used for mach3 is cheap 20€ dell optiplex. If anyone is interested in Z axis upgrades, please write a comment below
Downloaded openbuilds control, but I do not have a Blackbox 4x option. I only have the Blackbox x32 and interface options. When I try to flash the hex file with the Blackbox x32 option I get an error. Is there something I need to do to get the Blackbox 4x option up or does the new version of openbuilds control no longer support Blackbox 4x?
I’m having same issue my question is I download the older version does it work directly with arduino or do I need the bin file jd is describing thanks for any help
thanks for al the updates! a problem i ran into while cutting the circles, GRBL setting $12 arc tollerance was set to 0.000 so my circle became a straight line. took some hours of messing about before finding this solution.
Is anyone else having an issue with creating the tool path for the Z-Axis file that came with the plans? I've even tried redrawing the plate. When I create the cut path (very carefully following the video) it skips the mounting holes. This process works fine when I creat other simple drawings, It just doesn't want to play nice with the Z-Axis plate.
Thanks. I am still building the project. I think this will help. Have hade tribal with the Arduino. Hope this makes it better. And I can move on .thanks
Since installing this update every time my torch touches off at the beginning of a cut file, it stays down and then drags to the initial cut point start point then lifts up and touches off again. I know this has to be something simple but I'm not sure what I'm looking for to have it keep the torch up until it goes to its initial pierce.
I'm getting an error downloading the firmware, says I need to be in bootloader mode. How the heck do i get it into bootloader mode? Almost done with the table. This is the final part.
Are you using a mega board the china version because i had the same issue so i ordered a Arduino Mega instead to try didnt have a issue with the UNO but i want to use a Mega.
do they have Gcode files for testing heights , speeds ect to tune in cutter? ive been trying to get a solid cut for over 2 weeks and still not able to use yet. Aslo would you be able to show how to resume a cut on failed arc. i have not once been able to resume a failed cut. it always throws errors about cant start arc from this point or it randomly throws z into the part and drags it all over the place.
When mine fails I let it finish the cut. Then I go back into fusion and write a new tool path just for the one that didn't fail. A pause feature would be freaking fantastic! According to chat GPT- natively grbl has an input for "cycle start" on pin d7. My plasma doesn't have an arc okay output so my plan has been a reed switch secured to the ground clamp wire. In theory, a ground applied from the Arduino to one side of the Reed switch with the remaining side connected to pin D7 should stop the cut if an arc has not been successfully made and transferred to the ground clamp. But this is all in theory and I have not actually done it yet.
@@jesse2591 oh ok ty i have not tried that yet i will have to. do you know how the arc ok works? this plasma has 2 pins for arc signal and also arc voltage output but not sure arc voltage does or how to use either of those 2 features.
@@420Mythsyour "arc ok" would serve the same purpose as my reed switch. You can check with a meter, but I believe those two pins connect when arc transfers to the clamp.
@@jesse2591 You can put in a Pause in the gcode, I do that when I have the arc go out in the middle of a cut or it's a big job and I need time for the torch to cool and the compressor to catch up. Using the GCODE Editor, Place G04 P (where is in seconds) right before the G38.2 Z-100 F150 (Yours might be slightly different) that is before the cut that didn't complete, this will pause the job for the number of seconds you coded. I've had the Arc go out and I was able to turn off the Plasma cutter and restart the job with it off until it got to the cut that wasn't finished, paused it long enough to turn the Plasma cutter back on then continue. You may have to cover the previously finished cuts with a piece of metal (or wood) so the torch has something to touch off from until you reach the unfinished cut then remove it, turn the plasma cutter back on then unpause or wait for the pause to finish. Make sense? I used the G04 P a lot in my GCode between long cuts.
I had an issue yesterday that the G53 caused the nozzle to go down -10 below 0 and dig in to the plate and then dragged the nozzle across to x0y0. Any thoughts on that?
I have tried the suggestions but I continue to have the same issue no matter what settings I use. Prior to the upgrades from Fusion, i had no issues. I performed the hex file update and the new post processor update. The Z axis is basically diving negative to anywhere from 3" to 6", or trying to, from the zero position on it's way to the first pierce or lead-in. Going more negative along the way to the first X and Y coordinate. This issue seems erratic with different results in Open Builds without changing the GCode. If it's not fixable, I guess my options are to not use the Z touch off option in the post processor or stop using Fusion360 after spending countless hours learning it over the past 2 months. Question, Would a voltage controlled Torch Height Controller solve this issue?
For more Information you can check out our website here. jdsgarage.bigcartel.com/
Well I thought you'd not have to hear from me again today. I guess I'm glad I am taking a bit longer to complete things as I'm not , yet, at this point. I look forward to the next video with the alternative choices. Thanks Demon
How about an update on this thc? Had it on your website for April 1st release now its gone?
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Off to go update my settings. Im sure this is throwing a wrench in the thc release. Any updates on that? Cant wait to give you more money haha!
I don’t have the option for black box 4
It appears to have gone away sometime after version 1.0.370.
When I use .370 version from JD’s download, it does give me the Blackbox4 option.
I dont see blackbix4 and the drop down menu doesnt show .hex file. Any ideas??
Any THC updates? I've become a massive fan of Sheetcam, great piece of software for the money.
What post processor do u use with steetcam
@@johnsassano8728 No Z axis right now, so I'm using one of the included ones, GRBL plasma no Z. I did have to edit the postprocessed to add a "spindle speed" S1000 to the M3 part of the post.
Thank you so much for updates. I personally don't use Fusion much and there are a couple "better" options for me that I find simpler for making my parts
Looks great. I haven't built mine yet but am loving all the updates. I use solidworks I wonder if I'd be able to model in solid works and open a step file in one of these other softwares to get the gcode. I'm sure solidworks can do it, I've just never messed with it.
Great update JD. Love the design, bought the plan, just need to get some other projects done before I build. I like how you guys are constantly improving and evolving the design. '92 NDSU alum here. Go Bison!
Dont update openbuild....use 5.1 version and you will see blackbox4 and .hex file
Hey guys! I just got all of my electronics and such. Is there a video for how you wired up this sucker? i'm not very well versed in wiring things from scratch. I dont want to botch this project lol. I'd like to replicate how you have it.
Hi, I bought the plans 10 months ago made my electronics up with my stepper motors all worked good but not done anything with it till now . Openbuilds wont connect to my arduino do I have to do this update ??? if so my old plans dose not have the bottom two rows in section 5 that you talk about as i see this update was 4 months ago. please advise.
When I built cnc, I mainly used your plans for frame only. I upgraded Z axis to have dual support for bigger cnc torch so it wont sag, and added m6 nuts for better fixturing to metal backing plate,3D printed tapped holes are very bad imho. I'm using mach3 for controlling cnc with BSMCEO4U-PP controller (9$) and THC SD for simple thc action. Was about finished building my own THC, but time is money, so bought a used one. My plasma source was 390€ (including shipping and cnc type torch). I skip on fushion 360 Z axis and use custom mach3 plasma screen ,where all settings related to Z axis and piercing time is preset there (saves time on loading to mach3). Computer used for mach3 is cheap 20€ dell optiplex.
If anyone is interested in Z axis upgrades, please write a comment below
Downloaded openbuilds control, but I do not have a Blackbox 4x option. I only have the Blackbox x32 and interface options. When I try to flash the hex file with the Blackbox x32 option I get an error. Is there something I need to do to get the Blackbox 4x option up or does the new version of openbuilds control no longer support Blackbox 4x?
You have to download an older version of openbuilds control. Version 1.0.370 works. Blackbox 4x isn't available on the latest version for some reason
@@jimmieclark6393 Thanks. Downloading Version 1.0.370 worked for me.
I’m having same issue my question is I download the older version does it work directly with arduino or do I need the bin file jd is describing thanks for any help
if I already have my machine dialed in, do I need the hex file? or just the new postprocessor
thanks for al the updates!
a problem i ran into while cutting the circles, GRBL setting $12 arc tollerance was set to 0.000 so my circle became a straight line.
took some hours of messing about before finding this solution.
Thanks for adding the solution.
Although less robust than Auto fusion could a person just use open builds cam software to create the G-Code and submit it to grbl?
Is anyone else having an issue with creating the tool path for the Z-Axis file that came with the plans? I've even tried redrawing the plate. When I create the cut path (very carefully following the video) it skips the mounting holes. This process works fine when I creat other simple drawings, It just doesn't want to play nice with the Z-Axis plate.
Thanks for all the info and updates. Yes, a F360 alternative would be fantastic! Not a fan of Fusion. (OnShape user).
Thanks. I am still building the project. I think this will help. Have hade tribal with the Arduino. Hope this makes it better. And I can move on .thanks
Since installing this update every time my torch touches off at the beginning of a cut file, it stays down and then drags to the initial cut point start point then lifts up and touches off again. I know this has to be something simple but I'm not sure what I'm looking for to have it keep the torch up until it goes to its initial pierce.
Thanks for this. After a frustrating few days trying things to no avail, this worked. Love the machine, fusion not so much.
Thank you for the update!!! You guys are doing and great job. Any updates on the THC?
Promo`SM
How does this affect things if you are not using Z axis
I'm getting an error downloading the firmware, says I need to be in bootloader mode. How the heck do i get it into bootloader mode? Almost done with the table. This is the final part.
Are you using a mega board the china version because i had the same issue so i ordered a Arduino Mega instead to try didnt have a issue with the UNO but i want to use a Mega.
Thanks for the update!
Thanks for all
do they have Gcode files for testing heights , speeds ect to tune in cutter? ive been trying to get a solid cut for over 2 weeks and still not able to use yet. Aslo would you be able to show how to resume a cut on failed arc. i have not once been able to resume a failed cut. it always throws errors about cant start arc from this point or it randomly throws z into the part and drags it all over the place.
When mine fails I let it finish the cut. Then I go back into fusion and write a new tool path just for the one that didn't fail. A pause feature would be freaking fantastic! According to chat GPT- natively grbl has an input for "cycle start" on pin d7. My plasma doesn't have an arc okay output so my plan has been a reed switch secured to the ground clamp wire. In theory, a ground applied from the Arduino to one side of the Reed switch with the remaining side connected to pin D7 should stop the cut if an arc has not been successfully made and transferred to the ground clamp. But this is all in theory and I have not actually done it yet.
@@jesse2591 oh ok ty i have not tried that yet i will have to. do you know how the arc ok works? this plasma has 2 pins for arc signal and also arc voltage output but not sure arc voltage does or how to use either of those 2 features.
@@420Mythsyour "arc ok" would serve the same purpose as my reed switch. You can check with a meter, but I believe those two pins connect when arc transfers to the clamp.
@@jesse2591 You can put in a Pause in the gcode, I do that when I have the arc go out in the middle of a cut or it's a big job and I need time for the torch to cool and the compressor to catch up. Using the GCODE Editor, Place G04 P (where is in seconds) right before the G38.2 Z-100 F150 (Yours might be slightly different) that is before the cut that didn't complete, this will pause the job for the number of seconds you coded. I've had the Arc go out and I was able to turn off the Plasma cutter and restart the job with it off until it got to the cut that wasn't finished, paused it long enough to turn the Plasma cutter back on then continue. You may have to cover the previously finished cuts with a piece of metal (or wood) so the torch has something to touch off from until you reach the unfinished cut then remove it, turn the plasma cutter back on then unpause or wait for the pause to finish. Make sense? I used the G04 P a lot in my GCode between long cuts.
I had an issue yesterday that the G53 caused the nozzle to go down -10 below 0 and dig in to the plate and then dragged the nozzle across to x0y0. Any thoughts on that?
mine is doing the same thing ... would love to hear a fix for it
This was missed in the video a solution is not live in the plans.
Watch 4:40 mark
@@the_edge_of_time got it sorted it was a setting in the post processor. Z start height -10 instead of 10
I have tried the suggestions but I continue to have the same issue no matter what settings I use. Prior to the upgrades from Fusion, i had no issues. I performed the hex file update and the new post processor update. The Z axis is basically diving negative to anywhere from 3" to 6", or trying to, from the zero position on it's way to the first pierce or lead-in. Going more negative along the way to the first X and Y coordinate. This issue seems erratic with different results in Open Builds without changing the GCode. If it's not fixable, I guess my options are to not use the Z touch off option in the post processor or stop using Fusion360 after spending countless hours learning it over the past 2 months. Question, Would a voltage controlled Torch Height Controller solve this issue?
freecad😃
It may be making an appearance next video.
that would be awesome! @@jdsgarage701
Thanks for the update. You guys are awesome!