R&D Fridays - Adding support for grblHAL in Commander

Hey everyone!
Get ready for a super exciting R&D Fridays episode! We're diving into the awesome world of integrating our epic, free CNC3D Commander software with the powerful grblHAL CNC controllers. 🚀
We're making great progress, and soon you'll be able to unleash the full potential of grblHAL features, making it a breeze to configure, set up, and run your grblHAL-based controller. 😎
Our talented electronic engineer designed a board over a weekend, and after taking a good look, we're excited to say grblHAL looks like a great, expandable CNC control system. Plus, it seems quite easy to customize and configure with its plugin-based approach, offering cool features like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, tool changing, and maybe even plasma THC! 🛠️
We're even thinking about creating our very own spin on the hardware. 🤯
So, what do you think? Would you love to see a CNC3D-designed and optimized grblHAL controller? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🔥

[@miniwinisbastelbude]

really nice Work! It would be really cool if we would get the whb04 working with ioSender and gSender aswell...
this would be a great gamechanger in the CNC world looking towards EdingCNC, Mach3 and LinuxCNC

[@TimZyx]

To get a functional THC working would be a real bonus. Looking forward to seeing how this progresses.
Also great to see you're Aus based. Well done!

[@cnc3d]

Thanks Tim,
We always appreciate the encouragement and support! 😇
Out current Plasma THC R&D is coming along nicely. It adjusts beautifully now.
We then immediately discovered just how warped steel can be!
We tried to cut out a flange we created in our CNC2D CAM tool and on the initial X&Y rapid travel we ended up 20mm above the surface as opposed to the expected 10mm.
We've since implemented a "hunt mode" that sends a feed hold trigger to the controller while it hunts, then resumes once voltage reaches an acceptable level for pierce start.
It is all coming along nicely, we're just adding a USB connection to allow quick and easy firmware updates and configuration via our Commander software.
Stay tuned for a future video! :D

[@TimZyx]

@@cnc3d Great to hear that R&D is progressing well.
It's certainly surprising to see how much sheet can warp when cutting with plasma, especially thinner gauges.
Are you using a water bed? That can help a little if the water level is kept high enough.
Great idea on the 'hunt mode' though.
Is your THC design going to include a voltage divider? (no big problem if it doesn't)
I like the intent that it is to be upgradable via USB.
Would you ever consider a Linux version of Commander for more minimal hardware?
Workshops and home sheds can be a very unforgiving place for Windows PC's :)
I'm in the middle of my Plasma CNC build and certainly interested what you come up with.

[@agnaz1967]

Don't shmooze, just do it....I'm in.

[@cnc3d]

We definitely look forward to it! :D
Thanks for the support.

[@danroscigno187]

I'm in if you have a grblhal controller