Hey. Can anyone give me some feedback on any pros and cons to ordering the redline screen vs using my own Surface pro?
I like the look of the screen but if I can save a few bucks here and there. Quite honestly, ive had my buildbotics cnc for 4 years and one of the first things I did was smash the screen and been using my surface pro since lol.
Any input is greatly appreciated
Some CNC systems require you to keep a computer tethered by USB for the entire job. And sure—it works… but let’s be honest: that’s not ideal, not convenient, and definitely not future-proof.
Here’s why you absolutely want a controller that runs independently, like the Redline Controller with HMI screen options, and why it’s quickly becoming the preferred workflow among serious makers:
A USB-dependent CNC is only as reliable as the laptop running it.
Lose connection? Job’s toast.
Your PC goes to sleep? Toast.
Windows decides right now is a great time to reboot? Double toast.
With Redline, the controller runs the job internally.
Your PC could crash, you could unplug it, or you could walk away entirely—and the cut continues perfectly.
Your CNC should NOT depend on the mood of your laptop.
USB-tethered CNCs require:
• A laptop
• A safe place to put it
• A clean environment (good luck)
• Power cables
• USB cables
• Keeping the USB secure so vibration doesn’t interrupt the job
Redline HMI = one single hardware unit designed for a dusty shop environment.
No laptop exposed to dust.
No dangling cables.
No “oops, someone bumped the USB mid-carve.”
A laptop was never engineered to:
• Stream real-time machine commands
• Handle vibration
• Deal with dust
• Run in cold or hot shops
• Be knocked around by clamps, bits, and workpieces
The Redline HMI was.
It’s industrial-grade isn’t a compromise—it’s an upgrade.
CAD/CAM is where your PC shines.
Design your project, post-process your file, then save it to USB or Wi-Fi transfer it to the machine.
Once the file is on the controller, you’re done.
You don’t need to babysit the machine with a $2,000 laptop next to it.
Want to check email?
Watch YouTube?
Take your laptop inside?
Leave the house?
You can.
Because Redline HMI runs the job internally, totally independent from your PC.
This is how CNC should work.
You want a controller that:
• Doesn’t rely on a laptop
• Doesn’t need a USB connection
• Doesn’t crash because Windows updated
• Doesn’t eat a job because someone bumped a cable
• Lets you design anywhere and cut anywhere
• Has a purpose-built interface made for CNC
That’s exactly what the Redline controller with HMI options gives you.
It’s the modern, hassle-free, shop-proof, future-proof way to run a CNC.
Interesting. So the way I run my buildbotics now is it is linked to my wifi as well as my laptop. I read the ip address of the OF from my router and open a browser and enter that address. I then have full screen of controls on that browser. I only do this once Im ready to carve. I upload the file from the laptop, get everything set and run it. Then I shut down the browser on the laptop. I then open a browser on my phone, enter same address and I see the controls along with all screen info, job progress etc.
Does the new Redline controller not allow me to do this any longer? This is a feature I use everyday and is very important to me.
Thanks
It will if you have the hmi, it won’t if you do not get the hmi
Hmmm. Could I talk tl someone in tech support tomorrow about that?
Sure, email support@onefinitycnc.com
Doesn’t the HMI connect to the controller box via USB? I was going to order the HMI with my machine but I think it will be harder to fold up my machine with the HMI rather than just unplug a laptop. I like the idea of something stand alone but for the extra 7-800 I can buy a pretty nice PC, especially if the HMI is hooking up via USB anyway. Not trying to be negative just need help seeing what I’m missing?
Very well said and presented. Great work. An example for the rest of us in forum presentations.
Agreed, but from what I have been told, the HMI is required for what I inquired about as far as being able to connect to the machine wireless. I havent connected (usb) my laptop to my buildbotics as soon as I learned it was possible to do it wireless. With the redline, the HMI is what allows me to do that (according to OF support). Smart on OF for doing that $$. If I could connect wireless to upload gcode without the HMI, I wouldnt get it or require it. My surface pro is excellent for multi tasking (vcarve designing/Onefinity Control Screen) on same device right beside machine or while its running and checking it from inside the house.
If I had unlimited budget and space, I would do the HMI. I am limited on budget so I am having to be a bit more careful with what is going to give me the most bang for my buck. If you are using your surface pro, you can simply email the gcode file to yourself and load it into the control software running on the HMI. From what I have read the HMI is very nice
Another thing - the wireless connection (aka http) to the HMI yields a very stripped down version of the HMI’s user interface. Like 1995 b&w interface. For anything other than transferring files or seeing execution line numbers, etc., it’s not hugely useful. It’s not like the BB’s browser interface which actually expands on the native version.
Oh really? I didnt know that. I am (hopefully) expecting an exact duplicate of the HMI screen on my surface pro…hopefully im not disappointed
It is not an exact duplicate. It’s somewhere in the middle between Masso and BB.
It’s going to evolve and gain functionality over time. So what is there now is bare minimum of what it will grow to!
Oh wow….that’s VERY disappointing to hear. To be taking a step back from the BB controller is not good. Hopefully OF and RTCNC will hear this feedback and make improvements to it.
between masso and BB seems to mean not as good as masso but better than BB
Really other way around. Way more information than masso, but not a direct mirror like the BB.
It’s disappointing as that is I really feel the need to take a moment and just Express how good of a product one Infinity does put out. Even better sometimes is their support. I had my buildbotics controller crash on me I believe it was December 18th. They had the new one shipped and at my door in Edmonton by this morning (my expense fyi it was way off warranty). It had been so long since I had set it up and had a little difficulty doing it without the screen but support was instant and so quick to respond for every question I had. As we speak I’m back up and running thanks to onefinity support. I had told people that I could not fulfill the orders due to equipment failure and it appears I may be able to fulfill most of those now…thank you for that onefinity, even though we do still have some complaints LOL cheers and merry Christmas!
you are telling us that the BB is better than the masso? if so, why are you discontinuing the BB and why the switch to Masso was hyped so much and now what about the redline controller is it also a step down from BB and masso? I am confused.
I don’t believe they’re saying the control functionality of the BB is better, but that the wireless control of the system is not as good as the full mirror that you see when you wirelessly attach to the BB.
This is what the Redline’s web interface looks like.
I would love to see that improved OF…Thanks for the preview Jim.
