Hi,
I’ve done a quick search, but couldn’t find a suitable thread, so please forgive me if this has already been discussed.
I have really been struggling to get Repetier Host to produce good cuts. I really am not a fan of the application. So I spent a few hours today looking for alternative CNC control software. Every one I checked out had something that wasn’t great - whether it be that they are selective about who they talk to, or about how they communicate or because they cost an arm and a leg.
I came across Jeffeb3’s post regarding v1pi, and took the plunge, and ordered my Paspberry Pi4.
However, I’m now unclear about whether this actually can replace Repetier Host as a driver of the Lowrider2 or not. I have assumed it does. Am I correct?
It does. It is not without its quirks. But I don’t use RH with my low rider and I don’t have a screen. I just connect with my web browser from my computer to control it over wifi.
Excellent. Thank you again for your help. My Pi4 will arrive this week, so I’ll get on to it immediately. Does one have to use Octoprint also? Or can one just use a web browser?
Octoprint and cncjs are both web pages that are hosted on the pj. So when you set up v1pi, you will give it your wifi credentials and then when you turn it on, you can visit a web page from your wifi and choose which one you want, and then connect to the low rider and control it.
Hi Jeff,
All went according to plan, but I’m experiencing a number of questions/issues:
(1) I am assuming the SD card has to remain in the Pi permanently?
(2) The v1Pi hotspot takes a long time to appear - is this normal?
(3) How does one get the gcode into the Pi?
(4) If one can only view the CNC.js screen via a web interface, this means my laptop has to be permanently attached? If so, this is a bit of an issue with a moving gantry
(5) I might have corrupted my SD card, because although it boots the Pi OK, I very soon afterward get a “Server Shutdown” error.
(6) Finally - I was watching Michael’s (Teaching Tech) videos on his Lowrider build (Video #2) where he is using his customised touch-screen graphics card. Would it be possible to use something like that with the Pi4? I am assuming one then works from SD card for data loading. I have a 5" screen for the Pi4, but it is HDMI - so where do I plug the other end into?
It isn’t quick, it is booting a whole computer (and not a fast one). I just leave mine on all the time. But I also don’t use the hotspot version, except for testing.
In cnc.js, you can drag and drop it onto the 3D view, or there us a button for opening a gcode in the upper left.
You need the pi always attached to the cnc, but the laptop connects to the web page, and doesn’t need to be connected physically, just through wifi. It can be on the other end of your garage.
Maybe a screenshot would help? If you’re seeing anything from cncjs, then it isn’t a corrupt sd card, probably.
You don’t need a screen on the pi. That screen will not connect to the pi. That screen can connect to the controller and you can still connect the pi, but they are completely separate. You should just return the screen, but if you want to connect it, you need a microhdmi cable.
Hi Jeff,
Well, still no real luck with Pi4 running CNC.js Octoprint, no problem. I can log in, and print. CNC.js stops working with the same error screen others have shown. I tried again this evening, on a different laptop, and had to re-register. Mmmm. I used the same credentials - just “duncan” and a four-letter password I use for lots of things. That session produced the same results. The server stops working.
I gave up and got busy with other stuff, but have just returned to it (sort of sneaking up on it unexpectedly) and it asked me for my username/password. I entered these, and was denied access. Apparently I have to edit the Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.cncrc (e.g. C:\Users\User Name\.cncrc ) my profile does not contain a “.cncrc” file. So now I’m a bit confused.
Backwards? Entirely possible, but no, I didn’t install cncjs on my laptop. I was just following the instructions (below) which mentioned Windows. But I see what that instruction means now. Thank you. I am being challenged for my login credentials, however, and the standard username/password I entered doesn’t work. I have no doubt this is either a memory failure on my part, or a typo on my part, but I can’t see how to recover from it.
From the CNCjs FAQ:
cncjs 1.8 adds multi-account management support to enable secure web access and web socket connections. The web interface will automatically redirect user to the Sign In page when at least one user account has been enabled in Settings > Account .
If you forgot your password, find user account settings in the ~/.cncrc file, and remove all existing users:
It is on the SD card. You can ssh into the pi and edit it with nano ~/.cncrc or, you can power off the pi, put the sd card in a windows machine, and it will be on the second partition under home/pi/.cncrc.
I haven’t ever used the username/password on cncjs, and I disable it on octoprint. I don’t set up any way to get to the server from off of my lan, so it’s reasonably safe.
Hi guys,
Busy making every possible mistake with this, I think. Just trying to be thorough. Ha Ha. I don’t know what I did, but my no-hotspot Pi4 which was working last night, doesn’t today. I’ve checked my router, and the reserved IP address I selected for it no longer appears. I can’t ping it. Nothing. So I re-flashed the SD card. Still no joy. I tried flashing a different card. Nothing. So I flashed the hotspot version again, and everything is fine. Except that CNC.js crashes after a few minutes. But I can use Octoprint.