I’ve just been using a flash drive to load programs so far, which is fine, but my OF Woodworker will be getting a new spot in a garage after a move, so looking into ethernet-connected possibilities too. I’ve read some scattered posts on this, so have a basic idea, but still some questions.
As I understand it the advantages of the web interface are loading programs without having to move a flash drive back and forth, and the path simulation. Any others?
(Just to be clear, this is for original BB controller, and I won’t be using wifi. Ethernet only.)
Is there any advantage/disadvantage to local ethernet (direct) internet vs. ethernet (router connected) interface? I’m leaning toward ethernet (router-connected) so I can use the internet connection to browse websites, etc on same computer.
So my first thought is this:
-Ethernet (router-connected) laptop in small garage workstation, probably with a cheap second larger monitor that can be seen throughout the garage
-Ethernet (router-connected) desktop in house
-Keep the USB monitor from OF I already have
-Use the simple Logitech webcam through the OF BB controller
So, more questions:
This post indicates the USB monitor interface and ethernet (router) interface likely won’t sync with each other. Does that mean that if I start a program on the computer in the house, for example, then walk out to the garage later, I would not be able to push the pause button or even see what program is running on the USB monitor?
And vice versa. If I start the program on the USB monitor, will I not be able to see webcam,etc on the ethernet-connected interfaces in the garage or house?
How about syncing between two ethernet (router-connected) computer interfaces? If I start a program on the garage one, can I walk into the house and see the same program, webcam, push pause etc, on the computer in the house?
What happens if I start a program on the garage ethernet (router-connected) laptop, and then disconnect the laptop during the program to take it somewhere else and work with it? Does that stop the CNC program or is it already loaded to the controller and I could watch it by reconnecting to internet elsewhere later?
I’m also starting to wonder if it would be better just to eliminate the USB monitor from the flow, but it might be nice to have right next to the machine sometimes for quick functions.
Apologies in advance for the number of questions, but trying to get a feel for how this all could work, and I don’t really have a whole lot of IT knowledge.
No, the interface will show the state of the CNC controller program. You may start a g-code program on one instance and stop it on another.
Yes. I don’t have a monitor on the controller, only remote access through ethernet, but with two remote instances, they show the same states. In doubt, you can press “refresh” as the interface is a web page in a browser.
What you cannot see in another instance is the MDI command history of a specific instance.
I think it is an advantage to connect via Ethernet, even if the laptop/computer is directly beside the Onefinity CNC machine, because you see the 3D toolpath simulation and you never have to deal with USB media. If you have a smb share somewhere in your network, you can drop your g-code files there and upload them to the Onefinity CNC controller with the “Upload new g-code” button on the user interface in the web browser on any remote computer.
What you need to install an Ethernet local network in your home
If you connect the Onefinity CNC controller to your local network, you can access it from the other computers of your network, and g-code files can be uploaded via the computer you are on. If the latter has access to a smb share on any other computer, you can also upload files that are on other computers. Of course you can open the Onefinity Controller in one web browser tab and surf in the internet in another tab.
If you have a router and public internet access via ISP, you may or may not allow the Onefinity Controller to access the internet. If you do this allows the Onefinity Controller to check for new firmware. In the other direction, if you want to access the Onefinity controller from the public internet, you need a port in your internet router that is open to the world. Usually internet routers are configured to be “invisible” to the public internet and not to have open ports, because that is a potential security risk but you could set up a VPN like people do that need access to their computer from outside over the public internet.
Thanks @Aiph5u Good to know I can go back and forth between ethernet-connected computer interfaces. That sounds like a good way to go for multiple access points to the controller.
So a follow-up question. If I start the program on an ethernet-connected laptop in the garage, and that is the only instance open at the time, then I disconnect the laptop from ethernet to use it somewhere else while the program is running, does the program continue to run even though I don’t have any interface connected?
I agree Thanks for the list
Sorry, could you explain how to choose to either have the Onefinity connected or not connected to public internet access? I believe most of the time I’d rather not have it connected to public internet. It’s possible to have the Onefinity not connected to public internet access while on the same computer I am surfing the web or possibly accessing files from Google Drive, etc? Thanks
It does still continue to run. The BB does all the work. You are viewing and accessing the program on the BB controller through your browser.
You can access your BB controller through your phone’s browser to check on status.
My 1F is some distance from the PC that i use to design and create tool paths. I have an old laptop in my shed that houses the 1F and i access my PC via VNC/remote connection to generate tool paths and I use the PCs browser to remotely load the 1F.
I find this useful for when i realise i need to tweak a cam setting or stock dimension but cant be bothered to trek up to where the PC is housed. (my laptop doesnt have the power to churn out toolpaths)
One warning: always be near your 1F when set it of.
I have a OF PRO, connected to the 10in monitor which came with it. I also have the BB controller connected to my router and therefore my computer in my office. When I download a g-code to the OF from my computer and start the mill from the shop the monitor at the OF eventually won’t function. Can’t do anything on it. It won’t display the OF activity at all. But I can see the OF functioning from my computer. This means that if I am in the shop and want to pause the OF, I can’t. What gives? This should not be happening.
Hello @PonchoVia I’m trying to sort this out too. Haven’t had time to set it up yet so not able to test.
I see you haven’t received an answer here, so the best I can tell you is what I posted above:
If you follow that link the post from Onefinity indicates that your shop monitor by the machine (I’m assuming it’s connected over USB) will not sync at all with your office computer interface through the router.
I was hoping, too, that I could send a program to the machine from my computer over ethernet/router, and still be able to do things like pause, zero xyz, etc at the USB connected monitor by the machine, but from what you’re saying it seems like that will not be possible unfortunately.
If that’s the case, then maybe you could consider running an ethernet cable to your machine and connect another monitor there to ethernet. I’m not sure if that would involve using another computer there by the machine as well.
I’m not real savvy on IT things, so maybe someone else will be able to add more.
Curious what you mean by that. Are you saying you can send a program from your router-connected office computer, go to your USB-connected monitor by the machine and push start, the program starts fine, but then freezes or similar? Just trying to get a good sense of how this all works before making set-up decisions.
Remember you can refresh the screen on the controller. If it becomes unresponsive that is the first thing I would try. I always send programs from laptop to controller over wireless and then fully interact with it on the controller. There have been rare times when the screen on the controller would not respond but refreshing always fixed it.
Remember the displayed page on the controller is a web page just like it is on your other computers connected to it and sometimes web pages need to be refreshed.
In the upper left corner of the screen you will see the refresh button.
Thanks @ChrisM . That sounds promising. That syncing didn’t seem too likely from other posts.
So, just to be clear, if I send a program to the BB controller from an ethernet connected laptop in the house, walk out to the machine in the garage, refresh the touchscreen next to the machine (only connected by USB/HDMI, not ethernet or wifi), I should be able to follow program progress in real time, push pause, etc like normal?
A lot of this is just to find out if I need to run ethernet to a spot beside the machine or not to keep an interface synced with the one in the house over ethernet.
Yes except 99.9% of the time I do not have to refresh - it works.
I dont start the program until I get to the controller for safety.
The only reason you would want to run an ethernet cable is for reliability of the network connection. I have an ethernet cable going from a range extender to the BB controller.
Hi Chris, Thanks for informing me of the refresh info on the monitor. I will use it in the future when the monitor is unresponsive. Which happened again yesterday. FYI, I have my unit connected via ethernet from my office computer, router. For now I don’t want to have a laptop in the shop due to the dust issue.
Sorry Martin for not getting back to you sooner. Have been very occupied in my shop.
Thanks for the list