What’s the benefit to upgrading?
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That is a good question.
I hope someone from OF or Redline can elaborate on what features or benefits the Redline brings to the table that are not provided in either Masso or Buildbotics.
It’s kinda like buying a car without ever having seen it or driven it…Oh…but trust me you’ll love it!!
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Great question — and absolutely fair to ask. The Masso G3 is a very capable industrial controller, and if it’s working well for you, there’s zero pressure to change.
Different customers see the Redline upgrade differently, and that’s perfectly normal:
• Some Masso users have been begging for Redline because the interface and workflow fit them better.
• Some are skeptical, which makes total sense — it’s new, and there aren’t as many units out in the wild yet.
• Some genuinely prefer Masso and view Redline as a downgrade for their workflow. And that’s completely fine.
We actually saw this exact mix of reactions when we introduced the Masso controller years ago, back when the Buildbotics controller was the only option. Some people jumped in immediately, some held off for months, and some stayed with BB because it fit their workflow better. Redline is following the same natural pattern.
The important thing is this: your Masso works perfectly and is a great controller. If it’s meeting your needs, there’s no reason you need to upgrade.
Where Redline differs is the experience. It was built from the ground up in conjunction with Onefinity to be hobby-CNC-focused, with the features customers have been asking for — and here are just a few, with many more built in and much more planned for the future:
- – Joypad jogging (a much requested feature)
- – 3D renders with machine overlay, rotary even displays in 3d!
- – Feed override
- – VFD spindle feedback and more advanced connection, the controller knows what the VFD is doing and reacts accordingly
- – VFD torque realtime feedback
- – Simple setup wizards for things like tool setters, probe, and ATC
- – One touch tool number changes
- – Enhanced wireless control
- – Smarter Rotary, no need to change probing or axis configurations. Just plugin, load a file, and hit start.
- – Jtech Laser built in with direct input from Jtech
- – All metal casing
- – Keyboard Support
- – Mouse Support
- – Smarter Alarms
- – Built in Onefinity Machine Configurations (restore in seconds)
- – One touch easy alarm clearing
- – Webcam support (over wifi)
- – Simple, Reactive, and Modern UI
- – Macros
- – Free firmware for life
- – simple, worry free Firmware updates with a touch of one button (no usb or exact firmware file to download)
- – No subscriptions or paywalled functions
- – RapidChange ATC support built directly into the firmware (simple TX M6, no complex subroutines)
- – Turn on/off 4 loads via I/O
- – Breakout board for future expandability
- – Opto isolated
- – Larger Power supply (600w) built in
- – Faster firmware updates. Updates and bug fixes in days, not years
- – Easier and more affordable repairability
- – No features locked behind paywalls
- – North American tech support
- – Closer integration with Onefinity and their specific needs
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now this was exactly the information I have been looking for
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How? How would I upgrade?
Throught the IPP Program! https://www.onefinitycnc.com/infinite-possibilities?srsltid=AfmBOoqA-cEn8wKSHKzelkm5FSLb9B8rNNXqRDAYGDBg4diK6dlkTIMZ
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Good list, couple follow ups:
- I see from the RL documentation that the VFD control is listed as RS485, how have you handled the ESD signal to the VFD? I would have expected this to be a hardwired signal.
- What do you mean by “enhanced wireless control”?
- The JTech laser built in - does this mean the safety board is built in? If so, is there or will there be compatibility with other lasers?
I can add a few points:
- RS-485 is the standard for VFD control in the RTCNC controller. It is a hardwired signal.
- Our RS-485 connector is four pins: the RS-485 +/- signal plus two ground pins.
- The ground connection is recommended for long cables and noisy environments.
- The ground connection is also essential in keeping the common-mode voltage within a safe range. Without it, the ground reference of the controller and the VFD can float with respect to one another. If they float too far apart, it will violate the common-mode voltage of the RS-485 transceivers and can cause damage.
- Laser support on the RTCNC controller is achieved with a optically-isolated 5V PWM signal. The controller simply requests a target power level with the PWM signal and the laser driver and external circuitry handles the rest. All safety considerations and interlocks are EXTERNAL to the controller.
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I read the FAQ that the immediate focus is on shipping full machines and figuring out potential ala-carte upgrade options later. I’m curious about price points if Redline Controllers will be available standalone, and if the “RTS-2 closed-loop CNC controller” can be configured to control open-loop steppers, or if the RTS-1 is the only possibility for DIY wall mounted buildbotics upgraders. Of course, I understand with buildbotics machines being discontinued, there are no “supported” wall-mounted configurations.
Thanks for the response, one clarification in industrial controls RS485 (typically modbus protocol) is considered a communication method, a hard wired signal would be a voltage or amperage based signal (digital or analog, typically 2 or 3 wire). Generally ESD signals or signals that require higher levels of integrity are hardwired and not processed over a soft communication (ethernet or modbus) which can be subject to delay/corruption/un detected errors.
My argument would be that if you want to make a better spindle/controller interface it should be a hybrid - ESD, direction, speed SP, and speed feedback on hard wired inputs (mix of digital and analog signals) and any remaining errors/diagnostics on the RS485 link. (as an aside I don’t see anyone doing this in the hobby space so could be a good differentiator between RT/RL and others.
Interestingly the RL VFD only has a 2 pin RS485 so the extra ground is a bit of a moot point when using a RL spindle….
Can I upgrade my Buildbotics controller with the new Redline?
The redline controller! We sell upgrade kits under the IPP program
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I have a question before I change to the Redline Controller:
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How does one transfer files to the Redline? I really like being able to log into the BB controller via my desktop computer and just upload the files.
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What is the learning curve going from a BB to the new Redline Controller?
Thanks
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same as bb, either by usb or wifi.
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user dependent, but very easy to learn!
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Hmm, I don’t see any “About” info on redlines’ site, I’m sure 1F would claim them if they were part of 1F. So, like Masso, they are their own company and can try some of the shady stuff Masso did about a year ago. The long time owners of Masso stopped the complete change over by Masso yet they still made some changes. What’s to say Redline won’t do the same, possibly without the customers being able to stop a major change??? Just something to think about.
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Onefinity and Redline have an extremely close relationship. In fact, this controller was built from the ground up through a true partnership—using five years of real Onefinity support history, machine data, customer feedback, and pain points. It wasn’t an off-the-shelf system; it was designed specifically for Onefinity users.
Before we ever agreed to partner on a controller, we made one non-negotiable stipulation:
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No subscriptions
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No paywalled features
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No paid firmware updates
Redline literally laughed and said, “Why would we ever do that?”
So rest assured—there is absolutely no need to worry. No hidden fees, no forced upgrades, no subscription traps. Just a modern, fast, CNC-focused controller built specifically for the Onefinity ecosystem, with the same philosophy we’ve always believed in: once you buy it, it’s yours. 
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Your point about hardwiring mission critical signals in high EMI environments is well taken. The RTCNC controller has general purpose I/O for these applications (including a dedicated PWM output).
In terms of the RS-485 control of VFDs, this communication method is provided for compatibility with most of the common VFDs on the prosumer market (Redline, etc). The end user will have to evaluate their individual setup and choose the interface/VFD appropriately.
I believe current Redline provides a 3-pin RS-485 cable for connecting to our controller to take advantage of the additional ground connection.
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I pulled the trigger on the Redline controller. Is there a way to control my vacuum with the Redline controller? It is great having the spindle turn off, but would be even greater if I could have the vacuum go off and on via the controller.
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Thanks! When I get the new Redline set up I will give it a try.
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