I wonder if CNCjs only work with the Jackpot Controller thru the USB wired connection and not via WiFi?
If so would a pi-board with a small screen mounted on the gantry be the best option to use CNCjs?
Because if it is only by the USB cord it has to be a very long one for a full sheet LR4.
Looking forward for some advice and tips regarding this, would be very much appreciated!
This is a rabbit hole I haven’t explored much yet. The Jackpot already has a WebUI that has met my needs so you don’t need to use something like this. Is there a certain feature you are looking for that is leading you down this path?
It does appear that CNCjs does only operate over USB. In theory, you should be able to make this work with a Raspberry Pi, but others with more experience in that arena would need to comment on that.
Another option would be to try Universal Gcode Sender, which has support for connecting to FluidNC wirelessly.
I’m very much used to the CNCjs program and like the user interface with all the features.
A cable are much more reliable than a WiFi connection evry day of the week and I like that security.
Why the jackpot then? Because it’s grbl that is better suited for CNC’s and easier than Marlin imo. 
That’s fair.
Note that this is generally a non-issue with using FluidNC directly. You upload the gcode files over wifi, but the files are run directly from the SD card with no dependence on wifi.
I’ll let someone else chime in on running CNCjs on a Raspberry Pi.
Yes correct! But your’e blind! 
I like the visibility and the prerun of the CNCjs 3D view as well, just my preferences, maybe totally stupid since you could follow the cut in real time by the side of the CNC. This is probably unnecessary, but for me just like “belt and braces” to minimize the risk. 
FWIW, I recently saw a youtube video in which CNCjc and a Raspberry pi were being used to control Fluidnc over usb. That particular user preferred CNCjc over Fluidnc’s Webui because of the way macros were handled.
I wish I could give you more details. I’ll look for that video again, if I find it, I’ll post the link here.
You can visualize the gcode and see position in real time with the tablet extension. Note this requires adding N-codes to your gcode so it can report on the current line number.
MitchBradley/WebUI-tablet-extension: Plugin for ESP3D WebUI implementing a user interface optimized for tablets
For safety, you need to be in close proximity while running anyway, so I just look at it and can see where it’s at.
Not at all trying to talk you out of CNCjs, it looks like a nice interface, just providing your options.
THX good inputs for sure!
1 Like
I agree. The tablet extension gets you the visuals if you want them. The macros are a bit different but I actually like the Goode file method. easy to edit and read, and save and bring to an update.
I will add I am of a very opposite mindset. I want as few things going on as possible when I am running a job. Cables are not as safe as the onboard system, and I see no use for a visual or update coordinates on the screen. I slightly understand the Macro thing, except you set up macros one time and never need to edit them, so even with it taking one extra step (on webui v2, one less on webui v3). With that said my only real advice here is if you choose to run your code over a cable please by a high quality one and secure it very well on both ends.
CNC.js does look amazing though, it would be cool if it could be our onboard system.
CNCjs has a lot of backend going on. It is all javascript, but it is js on the backend as well. We can’t run js on the eps32. You need a pi or a full computer.
Some of the interface parts may be pure client js. In that case, you could potentially get it into webui. The only issue there (after development) is the storage space needed.
Completely understand. Webui v3 seems to actually have all the same functionality, pair that with some themes, and we will get a cool looking interface here, pretty soon I am convinced of it.
I recall one important detail from the video I referenced, and it’s relevant to any system that connects to an esp32 through USB, the jackpot board supplies power to the esp but so does the USB connection and having competing power supplies can at times cause problems so the author of the video recommends a simple modification of the USB cable, open up the sheath of the cable and cut the red wire, this severs USB power connection but leaves the data and ground connections in tact.
They also make adapters like this:
https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Cased-Power-Blocker-Single/dp/B094FYL9QT
1 Like
Thanks, I knew that USB data blocking adapters and cables were available but I didn’t know about power blocking adapters.
Hi, if you install a virtual com port linked to your jackpot ip (please use a static ip) you could open the cncjs interface and use it just like uf you are wired *that said: you beed a bullet proof connection between the two.
It works i had my first jackpot on a machine with a diode laser and it worked 
with lightburn
Thanks for the good tip, will certainly try that! 
Uploading your gcode to the sd is the safest way to use it. Please dont stream the gcode.
1 Like