New to CNC but not to computers. The controller that is used with the Apprentice CNC has no display and must be used with a computer.
I would like to use a laptop as the human interface. I would also use that laptop with Vcarve. The joypad looks interesting but it’s wireless. Using palm router. How is it integrated into the mix?
Could an iPhone be used as the interface ( not for Vcarve)?
could someone provide a block diagram?
Also? Why isn’t the controller shown in the Apprentice footprint?
So the Redline controller, will hook up to your laptop via usb and is powered via wall socket. You can run the controller software on something like a Raspberry pi as far as I can tell, but not a phone of any type. The Joypad will plug into the computer you use to run the controller. Palm router will just be turned on manually unless you want to run a relay from one of the controllers outputs. You can use the same computer for vcarve and for your controller software, but when running the CNC you want to have all other applications closed at dedicate all the computers resources to running your CNC.
Your computer is the brain that streams directions to the controller box. The controller box takes those directions and sends them to the correct axis. The stepper motor on the cnc is powered by something called a driver, the driver powers the stepper via step and direction information sent from the controller/computer combo. The controller is kind of like a stereo power amplifier, the computer is like your music source and the steppers are like the speakers. It can be a bit more complicated than that, but not much. They are actually pretty simple machines when you break it down. Hope that help at least a little.
Part of my confusion is that the computer loads the code to the controller before you start cutting but you still need the computer for visual interface and emergency shutdown
No the controller is stupid and has no real memory. It simply real time interprets and directs information steaming from the computer’s USB. Say you bought a machine that had the Redline HMI screen…that is basically a raspberry pi running the control software app that streams via USB to the same basic controller box you will have. All controllers need some sort of computer-ish device to stream data into the controller real time all the time…if your computer takes a sh$% halfway through running a job…your job is over too, even if the controller box is fine. CD player stops…so does the music even if your amp and speakers are fine.
Yes, the PI500+ more than meets the minimum requirements Realtime CNC has posted.
The PI500+ has 4 times the minimum RAM at 16GB, a nice SSD with 256GB of storage as opposed to running the MicroSD card. In general SSD is superior to MicroSD as a medium for being written too on a regular basis, and is faster as well.
According to Reattime CNC’s reply in another post they’re putting the finishing touches on the “desktop” version of the RTS-X software which will be available for Debian Linux, MacOS and Windows.
FWIW, the version of RTS-X used by the Redline HMI is running on a standard Raspberry PI 5 using Debian Linux as the OS.
Thanks for the link as well. I didn’t know these existed. For around $200-250 w/shipping in the USA, though with somewhat limited availability, that’s a great deal for 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD built into a mechanical keyboard form factor. Personally an added plus is mechanical keyboards have a special place in my heart.
I didn’t see the other post, but prepping for my new machine, and spoke with someone at Onefinity when ordering,
Been disgusted with Windows pushing 11,
So was stoked to see a Linux option, and thought the Pi 500+ was a really good value and more than enough hardware for a dedicated option.
Thought it would a good fit for those those who opted for the non HMI15 or Apprentice buyers.
I had just done upgrades to my journeyman, and with the holidays coming, couldn’t justify the added cost of the Elite 2nd Gen, but didn’t want to pass up the sweet deal for the out.
Thanks for your input , just needed to confirm I was making a logical purchase, and throw out the idea or option for everyone.
