Would like to run it from LightBurn, but not sure which USB adapter will work with it and the machine. Help appreciated.
It appears that machine uses a GRBL firmware, which should simply run directly from LightBurn via USB
I found it but it states it uses a grbl 0.9 version… does this have the laser enable variable ($32)?
I thought you needed version 1.0 or greater… Sorry not up on grbl.
To control the Next3D through USB interface, I am using the “G-Code Processor 3D” that is available as an option. There is an Atmega328P with an Arduino Bootloader running grbl version 0.9 inside the housing. Grbl is open source so that you can flash an adopted version whenever it’s needed.
They claim you can upgrade it, firmware wise. @Colin thanks for the link.
Dear Colin, thanks for your post. The machine has a parallel port. There is a dedicated usb adapter/dongle that is supported by an older software for Windows 7. There is another one by Estlcam, which also requires Windows or Linux. The machine can also be operated directly/without a usb adapter if the PC, running Mach3/4 or LinuxCNC, has a built-in parallel port or PCI Card for serial/parallel connection.
Dear Jack, thanks for your reply. The manufacturer of the original machine still exists, but the after sales support is now with cnc-germany.de, a seller for spare parts and a clone usb adapter called “G-code processor 3D”. I’ll check out if it will also be supported by Mac software. If not, an older Intel Mac could be set up for Linux/Ubuntu.
Probably the cheapest solution is to simply connect it to an older PC which still has the parallel port, set it up for Linux (which has little system requirements) and run it from there.
In that case, I would recommend a PicoBOB from Expatria
There are various others that would work, but the PicoBob is the smallest/cheapest that gives grblHAL compatibility
Hi there, looks like a really good deal. The GoCNC next 3D has a built-in controller that works with Mach3 and LinuxCNC. My guess is that I won’t need an additional Mach3 breakout board. I may be wrong though. Anyway your advice is appreciated, thanks a lot. Wolf