Feature Request: Add 3D probing and G38.2 g-code support

RealTime Controller (RTCNC) Feature Request
1

Please add the ability to use a 3D digital touch probe (not a plate) and G38.2 g-code capabilities to the Redline CNC controller soon. I found it very useful on my old MASSO controller and it seems like a common, basic feature on most CNC machines.

Thank you.

Dotyman

2

I regularly use one on my Masso G3 Jianken ATC modified Woodworker build. Do you also use a traditional ATC with toolholders?

3

I’m still loving my Masso, as much as Onefinity seem to have very sadly, after only 18 months abandoned it. However, with the new “Realtime Controller” I’m yet to see any of the inside of the HMI screen to see what inputs are there, and what the ‘guts’ look like, what can be added later down the line?. Plus the additional ‘controller box’ looks a bit 3D printed, and not in a good way, compared to the power box for the Masso edition.

I just feel the Masso seems more professional, with a lot of advanced functionality, even at the so-named ‘Advanced’ level, which is free to Onefinity users.

The “Realtime” seems more aimed at newer users with animations for probing, spindle set up, and tool setting etc. Things that aren’t necessary for mid to advanced users, and in my view slow the process down. I might be wrong, and of course these things are subjective, and I’m just going off the odd video and screenshot, but the layout just looks not very modern.

Onefinity will be marketing this as much as possible, but I still struggle to see the benefits over the Masso, bar Onefinity not passing the buck when there is a problem with your controller.

4

They still pass you off, just to Realtime instead. Because Realtime is smaller and closer to those of us in North America, they tend to respond quicker.

5

I have the RapidChange ATC, but haven’t installed it yet. Haven’t needed to .

6

Yeah, there are a number of function the MASSO could do that the Redline can’t. I miss those features. The MASSO also was a lot more stable–the Redline frequently locks up, loses the spindle connection, etc. requiring a reboot. I feel like we’re guinea pig beta testers for the Redline, actually…

7

Oh ok, I knew ‘Realtime CNC’ are there own company, but I thought the whole point of bringing them in, was to make everything more cohesive with less hoops to jump through when things go wrong. I thought it was a more ‘in house’ collaboration, so to speak between both companies, so any issues can be easily ironed out, and any new features implemented and designed on the fly for the specific machine. The only benefit is if you are based in North America I guess, which most of their target audience are. I’m in the UK.

They offer the machines in the UK now via Trend, which is a well known company here. It is the Masso edition, with a few extras, but at a huge mark up. For example a ‘Journeyman’ with no QCW stand, but with the Redline Spindle, dust shoe, touch probe, stiffy, and tool setter is £5640 inc VAT. I think I paid nearer to £4600 for all of that (although I did sort my own spindle and VFD), and that included $650 delivery, and import\customs tax - that’s still a saving of over £1000 which is a lot of money.

Their Foreman version of the above is £6020.40 inc VAT, which again, is a massive mark up.

The Redline spindle kit on the Onefinity site at 220v 2.2kw 80mm is £575.64 including delivery cost to the UK. On the Trend site, they want £1093.19! That’s a massive mark up, just for the convenience of having slightly quicker delivery?

Anyway, I’m happy I got mine when I did, and how I did. I just hope we (Masso adopters) don’t get forgotten as new features and products come in the future. The Redline controller seems ok, but it’s not something that has made me regret my purchase, or feel the need to rush to it. I feel sometimes people just want the newest thing out as they equate new with better, without thinking what the actual benefits are for them.

8

The only thing I would add, is I think the ball screw covers, and the chance to customise them is something that is great and I would love to have had, as well as the 60mm rails.

However, with the ‘Stiffy’ I have 3 x 50mm rails on the X axis, and it’s been more than perfectly adequate, and probably over kill for what I need it for, which is cutting wood!

9

Hi @Chucky82 ,

You raise some interesting points and I wanted to chime in with a couple of comments.

  • First, the Masso is undoubtedly a solid CNC control platform. No argument there. I suspect you will be happy with it for the life of your CNC system. Hopefully, you will give RTCNC a look for your next system. :wink:
  • There is a distinction between the Redline HMI and our RealTime CNC controller. The Redline HMI is an integrated computing platform with a touchscreen, power supply, e-stop, etc. It is a plug-and-play system with all the hardware to get a CNC user up and running quickly.
  • In many of the Gen2 systems, the Redline system includes a Onefintiy CNC machine, the Redline HMI, Redline Spindle and our CNC controller. There are also options to use our RTCNC controller with a PC or laptop (Windows, Linux or Mac) for a more custom setup. We have seen customers use tablet PCs, embedded platforms (Rasberry Pi), and custom Linux platforms.
  • Our controller box is not 3D printed. It is a custom metal aluminum extrusion enclosure. This is part of our overall controller design which allows us to meet strict certification requirements (i.e. FCC, CE, and IC). Certifications - RealTime CNC Documentation Hub
  • Our controller ecosystem is always evolving and it is driven by user feedback. Our current release cadence is a major software release every 4-6 weeks. These releases include major features on our own development roadmap as well as features requested by users. As an example, we have had user requests to probe any corner with the probe block as well as requests to extend the gamepad support. Both of these features are undergoing testing for our next release.
  • To @JimHatch 's point. Our goal is to be as responsive as possible. Reach out to RTCNC with technical questions or suggestions and you will be speaking directly with a member of our engineering team.
  • Your point about the “advanced functionality” is something we are also focussed on. In our first year of working with Onefinity and Redline, we have been improving the experience for users who want to get up and running with their new CNC machines as fast as possible so they can start cranking out cool stuff. The advanced users like yourself tend to be folks that push the envelope and system requirements. This makes the system better for everyone. We have software features as well as hardware add-ons in the pipeline that will continue to expand the functionality and capability of the system. Two of these hardware add-ons are entering production this fall and were developed based on user feedback.
  • I may have buried the lead a bit, but to address the subject of this thread: our development team is actively working on adding more probing functionality starting with the upcoming 1.7.X software release.

Thanks for starting the discussion. All feedback is good feedback.