Hello, Can some one tell me or post a link that describe what exactly do the mode and reset buttons do on a BlackBox Motion Control System X32? I tried to find the answer on the open build documentation but I was unsuccessful. Thanks.
Thank you, if you don't mind, two quick follow-up questions: 1) What does "Restart the Firmware" means when pressing the reset button? Is that the equivalent of a standard computer "reboot"? Is it the exact same thing as turning the black box off and then back on again? 2) What does it mean to "put the microcontroller into Bootloader mode"? When would I want to do something like that? Thanks.
Turning the BlackBox "off" still keeps the logic powered (over USB) and does not reboot anything. That allows you to "power off" the machine but maintain position for continuing work overnight etc But yes, reset = reboot. Rebooting the firmware on the controller, you won't ever really press it, it exists more for manual firmware updates (standard firmware updates autoresets so no need for the buttons) Only time a user really needs to reset is after changing Grbl Settings, but we can do that from the software too (we ask you with an onscreen popup) Firmware update / recovery docs:blackbox-x32:firmware [OpenBuilds Documentation] - normally it will reset itself, but sometimes the software may ask you to press those buttons.
Thank you, that really helped, one last quick follow-up question if you don't mind. What happens if I press the "Mode" button by mistake? Can I damage the BlackBox? For example, say that I press the Mode button by mistake and then send some GRBL command, would that damage / override the firmware in any way? Sorry, I know is probably a stupid question but I have no idea what I am doing. Thanks.
Nothing will happen. It can be configured to do stuff - but by default is essentially disabled. Its only checked during boot - so just don't hold it down while power up or while pressing reset. Then it goes into bootloader mode. Which if you don't do anything else, you can just exit with the Reset button. The BlackBox X32 has a Bootloader in ROM (Read Only Memory) so you can never "brick" it - the bootloader is always there and can always help you reflash firmware no matter how much you stuff it up. What CAN kill a BlackBox though is using a cheap crappy power supply, or having incorrect wiring (shorts) or a terrible chinese VFD or laser module that backfeeds the signal output terminals with stray high voltages. Other than that - bulletproof. Almost every dead BlackBox return has involved some kind of 3rd party part attached to it, or a reckless mistake Check all your wiring against docs.openbuilds.com - ask rather than guess (easier to avoid damage than fix it) and above all never work on wiring with power (Power supply OR USB! Both provide power) ON - power off before working on things.
