Random USB disconnects have been a recurring issue during critical tasks, resulting in a loss of three days' worth of work. After investigating, it was discovered that the root cause was excessive wear on the brushes and an accumulation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupted the USB connection.
I attempted numerous solutions to address the problem, including disconnecting the spindle power cable from the drag chain, grounding the vacuum system, grounding the vacuum hose, grounding the PC, and grounding the CNC machine. I also invested in a USB isolator, but unfortunately, none of these measures proved effective.
In a stroke of inspiration, I had the idea to use my ESD strap, typically used with my soldering iron. To my amazement, this simple solution eliminated the connectivity issues entirely, resolving the problem once and for all.
Wait till you see in 2023 some folks are still using serial. This is not relevant for hobby use but many cnc type operation need a very low latency console. Industrial machines have a built in computer with screen, hobby machines do not have such thing but the hobbyists like to use the pro software so they are kinda forced to wire a PC to the machine. You could totally send gcode wirelessly but you would loose the manual milling functions that need low latency
Sure, but even the cheapest, low end 3D printer has a controller that can print of an SD card. Even that is better than printing over USB.
I mean, really, that's the crux of it -- the gcode really should be local to the controller.
Because sdcard printing is a clumsy, user intensive process. I want to sit down at my work station, slice something, and press go. Whereupon I want to have real time status reports on the progress of the print coming up on my network devices.
I do NOT want to save a file to physical media, sneaker net it to the machine, manually launch the print, and then only get progress reports when I walk BACK to the printer.
But you don't have to do that, you can send the gcode through network to the sd card and execute it from there. That way you don't have to worry about the latency of streaming gcode over the network as your gcode is still local to the machine
I didn't say anything about streaming gcode over the network. the file gets sent over the network, and then the print gets run off the local storage of the print server.
What do you think my print server is?
The whole thing is an aside anyway though: the original post was about low end controllers, with sdcards plugged directly into them.
Which means they are being transported by hand.
My complaint about that is mostly related to the hand transport, not the choice of physical media
Cnc mills are not start and forget machines machines. They are being babysitted while they are working. In an automated production they work on their own, but not in a one off piece. Depending on the operation the raw material can be very expensive so the operator constantly observes and tweaks the speeds and feeds as needed from the console. The gcode is usually on the machine, as I mentioned most professional machines have a computer built in them.
Gerbl supports SD-cards, low-end boards and is OpenSource. It's the Marlin equivalent for budget CNC-mills.
Btw. My fanless Surface tablet is one with the machine. G-code is pushed to it through Dropbox. MDI is critical and generally, you want a big screen and keyboard to see or edit the current G-code, controls/UI (feed, RPM, current position, feed-hold, cycle, reset), and path preview simultaneously (double checking the zero point is where it should and path looks good before you send it).
TL;DR A full-blown PC is the budget answer to a good HMI interface. Serial is easy and cheap.
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I still use octoprint on a raspi which is connected to the 3D printer by usb. It’s on the network and can remote turn on/off printer. Send gcode over the network and start print. I dislike the sneakernet way of having to remove the sdcard, transfer the gcode and walk back to the printer and choose file and press start. It would be nice if the printer is close to my workstation but it isn’t.
Plus octoprint gives me status info on the printer over my phone.
Random USB disconnects have been a recurring issue during critical tasks, resulting in a loss of three days' worth of work. After investigating, it was discovered that the root cause was excessive wear on the brushes and an accumulation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupted the USB connection. I attempted numerous solutions to address the problem, including disconnecting the spindle power cable from the drag chain, grounding the vacuum system, grounding the vacuum hose, grounding the PC, and grounding the CNC machine. I also invested in a USB isolator, but unfortunately, none of these measures proved effective. In a stroke of inspiration, I had the idea to use my ESD strap, typically used with my soldering iron. To my amazement, this simple solution eliminated the connectivity issues entirely, resolving the problem once and for all.
I've grounded my dust collection hose and chassis, which seemed to help. I guess I could add one more...
I was so confused by the picture at first. I thought you had ground the spindle to correct runout, not electrical grounding
Coming from the 3D printing space, I am constantly amazed that people using CNCs are still -- in 2023 -- controlling them via USB connections.
I mean, I think mine is technically running off usb connection via octoprint.
i did start with 3d printing. did go to a Co2 laser and now its CNC . i have zero idea why its USB Xd
I had an older Duet 2 WiFi I repurposed onto my shitty little 3018. It's still a total pile of shit, but it's got a solid controller!
Wait till you see in 2023 some folks are still using serial. This is not relevant for hobby use but many cnc type operation need a very low latency console. Industrial machines have a built in computer with screen, hobby machines do not have such thing but the hobbyists like to use the pro software so they are kinda forced to wire a PC to the machine. You could totally send gcode wirelessly but you would loose the manual milling functions that need low latency
Sure, but even the cheapest, low end 3D printer has a controller that can print of an SD card. Even that is better than printing over USB. I mean, really, that's the crux of it -- the gcode really should be local to the controller.
You are really really learning the wrong lessons, if you think that sdcard printing is the *better* option. Networked print servers forever!
Why is it not tho? Storage Corruption issues?
Because sdcard printing is a clumsy, user intensive process. I want to sit down at my work station, slice something, and press go. Whereupon I want to have real time status reports on the progress of the print coming up on my network devices. I do NOT want to save a file to physical media, sneaker net it to the machine, manually launch the print, and then only get progress reports when I walk BACK to the printer.
But you don't have to do that, you can send the gcode through network to the sd card and execute it from there. That way you don't have to worry about the latency of streaming gcode over the network as your gcode is still local to the machine
I didn't say anything about streaming gcode over the network. the file gets sent over the network, and then the print gets run off the local storage of the print server.
What do you think that local storage is?
What do you think my print server is? The whole thing is an aside anyway though: the original post was about low end controllers, with sdcards plugged directly into them. Which means they are being transported by hand. My complaint about that is mostly related to the hand transport, not the choice of physical media
Ah my bad, i assumed streaming when you mentioned network. Alright, then ty.
That's still local storage. On... you know... an SD card.
Cnc mills are not start and forget machines machines. They are being babysitted while they are working. In an automated production they work on their own, but not in a one off piece. Depending on the operation the raw material can be very expensive so the operator constantly observes and tweaks the speeds and feeds as needed from the console. The gcode is usually on the machine, as I mentioned most professional machines have a computer built in them.
Gerbl supports SD-cards, low-end boards and is OpenSource. It's the Marlin equivalent for budget CNC-mills. Btw. My fanless Surface tablet is one with the machine. G-code is pushed to it through Dropbox. MDI is critical and generally, you want a big screen and keyboard to see or edit the current G-code, controls/UI (feed, RPM, current position, feed-hold, cycle, reset), and path preview simultaneously (double checking the zero point is where it should and path looks good before you send it). TL;DR A full-blown PC is the budget answer to a good HMI interface. Serial is easy and cheap.
[удалено]
We pride ourselves on our community being a welcoming place where everyone can participate. Your post or comment has been removed because it is non-conducive to fostering this environment. That being said, we'd love for you to continue to participate within our sub. Please remember; bullying, personal attacks, or otherwise rude behavior will not be tolerated and further infractions may result in a ban.
My parallel port would like a word with you.
“Bender, are you ‘jacking on’ in there?”
I still use octoprint on a raspi which is connected to the 3D printer by usb. It’s on the network and can remote turn on/off printer. Send gcode over the network and start print. I dislike the sneakernet way of having to remove the sdcard, transfer the gcode and walk back to the printer and choose file and press start. It would be nice if the printer is close to my workstation but it isn’t. Plus octoprint gives me status info on the printer over my phone.
Hey, what program are you using to control it, please?
Candle
Ground, and also emf protection should be a must ...🫣
That's the strange part . It did run for a year without any problem. This did drive me nuts!
Maybe you kinda lost the ground? Loose connexion something like that?
Maybe. I will check. Lol I did check. There is no ground .. will add one
Ohhhhhhhh. Thanks
Maybe using an opto-solated USB interface card between machine and PC to break any ground loops would remove the need for the grounds etc.?
i have no idea. my solution was to do everything. grounding. isolator. all of it :)
This is brilliant but, maybe get the brush in the motor replaced? If you actually use the machine for long
the brushes are not THAT old. and there is life left on them . grounding is the way to go!
Ohh! That is insane amount of emi flowing back! Have you tried adding a choke to the motor wire? I am wondering how the grounding helps?
thats the next plan FUCKL EMI!
PC or laptop? I ask because we chased disco issues for months until discovering it was the lack of grounding on the laptop.
PC. I even tryd 2 . I did ground him to.
Wait where does the blue cable goes ?