how to make best use of my (unused) 3D touch probe? Linux? Arduino? Raspberry Pi? Mach 3?

[Ronald MorrisonParticipant @ronaldmorrison29248]

Posted by Andy_G on 28/03/2023 15:45:57:

Too late to edit the above, but you may also like to take a look at bNC which (I think) will run on the Rasberry Pi to use in conjunction with your GRBL controller.

I haven't used it, as it requires python to be installed on a Windows machine.

https://pypi.org/project/bCNC/

Edited By Andy_G on 28/03/2023 15:49:03

I have Universal Gcode Sender as well as bCNC installed on my Raspberry Pi. Universal Gcode Sender insists on taking the mill Z axis to the top of its travel before it starts. bCNC starts where I tell it and only raises enough to clear any part that may be in its way as is defined in the gcode. YMMV

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

I spoke earlier about widening the Y axis bearing bars, effectively increasing stability, while reducing the travel a little……..

Well, it turns out, this gauge might actually be a new feature on the V2 version of the machine. They improved the design of the Z axis which apparently had excessive flexing (which is exactly what I'm concerned about now, it must've been really bad before!) and it seems they've increased the work area from 260×155 to 290×180. It's hard to tell from the photos, but it looks like the bearing slides are mounted closer together and the bearing blocks are closer together under the table, effectively increasing the travel.

They could've actually just made the frame a little wider which might make the bearings appear closer together but I'm not sure. In any case, I think I'll widen the bearing mount positions and reduce the effective travel should I ever wish to try cutting something requiring more power.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Posted by Andy_G on 28/03/2023 15:45:57:

Too late to edit the above, but you may also like to take a look at bNC which (I think) will run on the Rasberry Pi to use in conjunction with your GRBL controller.

I haven't used it, as it requires python to be installed on a Windows machine.

https://pypi.org/project/bCNC/

Edited By Andy_G on 28/03/2023 15:49:03

What's the problem? Download and install Thonny free.

[An OtherParticipant @another21905]

Russ B –

I run a 3D router and a 3D printer – both use a variant of Arduino Uno running GRBL, and they cope with no problems. I have run the router on an Arduino Nano loaded with GRBL. Note there are several variants of GRBL around – I am running 1.1h at the moment.

Like Ronald Morrison, I use UGS to feed GCode to the machines from a computer. This computer does not need to be anything special – I actually use a FItlet mini computer which is only running at 1GHz, so as to leave my main desktop free, and it handles the work easily – it only has to stream serial data (Gcode) to the machines. I have also played around with using a UNO to stream the data to the machine. It worked, but the Uno has limited memory, so not much use for 3D printing.

Ronald – UGS can be set up so the origin is anyplace you want it. You can edit the setup data easily enough from UGS itself. I have changed my system so the origin is 'bottom left'. If you can't find out how to do this, let me know and I'll see if I can help.

An

[An OtherParticipant @another21905]

For general info.

GRBLGRU runs under WIndows, but on the GRBLGRU home page, there is a procedure for installing it under WINE in Linux.

LINK

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