Introduction to the OpenBuilds Interface Features
- a) USB-C Socket: For connecting your Interface, to your Computer. Can be used for firmware updates and limited communications pass-through. Can also be used to power the Interface via USB-C Cable and a spare 5V source
- b) Context Buttons 1-4: Touch activated buttons one the left side of the LCD, which change context depending on the label printed next to the button on the LCD. See [i] for more information
- c) TFT LCD Display: Color LCD screen for displaying Grbl status, Digital Readouts, Menus, Wifi Information and Button labels.
- d) Context Buttons 5-8: Touch activated buttons one the right side of the LCD, which change context depending on the label printed next to the button on the LCD. See [i] for more information
- e) Status LEDs: Displays system information
- USB LED: Indicates Receive (Green) and Transmit (Red) of data between the Interface and the computer port
- AUX LED: Indicates Receive (Green) and Transmit (Red) of data between the Interface and a connected CNC controller, like an OpenBuilds BlackBox 4X or X32
- Drive LED: Indicates a USB Drive is detected as connected to the USB Flash Drive port
- Wifi LED: Indicates statusses such as connecting, connected and transfer of data over Wifi
- f) USB Drive Socket: Used for connecting a USB Flash drive containing GCODE files, Probe routines, etc
- Note FAT32 Formatted drives only
- Note that filenames are displayed in 8.3 format, no long-filename support at this time
- You can also use the USB Flash drive to update the Interface firmware, see Section 3.2
- g) System Buttons:
- Reset: Reboots the Interface
- Mode: Can be used to put the Interface into Bootloader mode for firmware updates via the USB-C Port (See Section 3.2 )
- h) Serial Port: Used to connect the Interface to a CNC Controller running Grbl 1.1f or later. Comes with cable for connecting to an OpenBuilds BlackBox 4X's Aux Port
- i) Context Button Labels: Labels for the Context Buttons in section [b] and [d] above are displayed on the LCD. This tells you what each context-button onscreen at this time, will do. Disabled buttons are grayed out
- j) Jog / Menu Navigation Buttons: Can be used to jog your CNC machine in X, Y and Z. If a menu, error, alarm, or other dialog is open onscreen, the buttons can also be used to navigate the menu.
- k) Speaker and Vibration Motor: Used to provide tactile feedback of button presses on the capacitive touch button panel, as well as audible feedback for button presses and notifications. Can be enabled/disabled from the Tools and Utils > Interface Config menu.