Tindie
Brookwood Design
About
Software and Electronics designer.
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Reviews
John | April 11, 2022
A fantastic CNC controller board that's easy to implement
For grblHAL BoB Unkit for Teensy 4.1. - T41U5XBB
If your thinking of, or actually in the process of converting an older CNC machine, or building a new one, this board is what you want. It goes together easily and works incredibly well. Phil has done a great job with the board and has given great thought as to the features to include on the board.
I will say that getting custom firmware on the device does require a bit of work to get things set up. This has nothing to do with anything Phil has done. Its more about a lack of clear and concise processes with GRBLHAL on github. It's not terribly hard, just cumbersome if you don't do this stuff every day. Once you've done it a few times, the process is fine. I will also add that Phil provides firmware with specific features enabled or disabled and its only when you need something beyond these that you need to compile it yourself.
Thanks for a great product Phil.
I will say that getting custom firmware on the device does require a bit of work to get things set up. This has nothing to do with anything Phil has done. Its more about a lack of clear and concise processes with GRBLHAL on github. It's not terribly hard, just cumbersome if you don't do this stuff every day. Once you've done it a few times, the process is fine. I will also add that Phil provides firmware with specific features enabled or disabled and its only when you need something beyond these that you need to compile it yourself.
Thanks for a great product Phil.
Matthew | Oct. 4, 2021
Excellent breakout board
For grblHAL BoB Unkit for Teensy 4.1. - T41U5XBB
I couldn't be happier with the kit. It was easy to assemble, including soldering the EEPROM, and works as intended. Others have struggled "snapping" the green terminals together. They are meant to SLIDE into each other - no brute force is required once they've been oriented correctly.
I hope this board remains available and the rumored PRO version arrives soon.
I hope this board remains available and the rumored PRO version arrives soon.
Dontae | Sept. 27, 2021
Great Board
For grblHAL BoB Unkit for Teensy 4.1. - T41U5XBB
Coming from 8 bit Arduino. The T41U5XBB is a great board and the grblHAL32 firmware is the icing on top. The speed and all the available g code are on point. I ordered a relay board to maximum this board's capabilities. Now punch above its weight class. Comparing to something like the Acorn CNC Controller. With manual tool changing offset, auto squaring and racking, lathe mode, threading, and detail break down of the GRBL setting is a great touch.
Although I figured it out. The g-code to enable and disable 3 auxiliary relays was not easy to locate and how to integrate the i2C, Serial IO and the digital input would be nice to know.
I like the ioSender but this is the only software that you can use to gain access to the benefit of grbl32 which is not bad. There should be some way to enable and/or disable the flyout boxes because the jogging speed can be different from you opening the jogging flyout box and just using the arrows on your keyboard
Wish list for 2.0.
- The EEROM solder pad should be upgraded to a [DIP SOCKET] - This would help you to determine if your EEPROM is compatible, once you solder the connector on it's hard to place it correctly later. Something like this ( Digi-Key Part Number: AE9986-ND)
- Change the connectors too (Digi-Key Part Number: 277-1721-ND). I have already replaced the ones that came with mines. They are a little beefier. Most people use thicker wire and ferrules. These would take it down to 16-26 AWG.
- LED indicators on End stops would be nice to have. It helps to have a quick visual to test the end stop.
- Dip switches- Could have been used in a few places:
5v Feed
Relay coil voltage switchable between 5V and 12V
VAC pin
Stepper Enable
Link A AXIS to Y
Although I figured it out. The g-code to enable and disable 3 auxiliary relays was not easy to locate and how to integrate the i2C, Serial IO and the digital input would be nice to know.
I like the ioSender but this is the only software that you can use to gain access to the benefit of grbl32 which is not bad. There should be some way to enable and/or disable the flyout boxes because the jogging speed can be different from you opening the jogging flyout box and just using the arrows on your keyboard
Wish list for 2.0.
- The EEROM solder pad should be upgraded to a [DIP SOCKET] - This would help you to determine if your EEPROM is compatible, once you solder the connector on it's hard to place it correctly later. Something like this ( Digi-Key Part Number: AE9986-ND)
- Change the connectors too (Digi-Key Part Number: 277-1721-ND). I have already replaced the ones that came with mines. They are a little beefier. Most people use thicker wire and ferrules. These would take it down to 16-26 AWG.
- LED indicators on End stops would be nice to have. It helps to have a quick visual to test the end stop.
- Dip switches- Could have been used in a few places:
5v Feed
Relay coil voltage switchable between 5V and 12V
VAC pin
Stepper Enable
Link A AXIS to Y
Response from Brookwood Design | April 11, 2022
Thanks for the great review. There is a new version of ioSender (ioSender XL) that keeps the jog panel open and fixes the weirdness with jog speed.
Alexandre | June 15, 2021
Awesome little board!
For grblHAL BoB Unkit for Teensy 4.1. - T41U5XBB
Much better than I expected!
I can't wait to use that to make my home-made CNC move!
Build quality is up-there, and the provided parts are also top-notch, good moldings and finish.
Now if I could find a Teensy 4.1 in stock somewhere....
I can't wait to use that to make my home-made CNC move!
Build quality is up-there, and the provided parts are also top-notch, good moldings and finish.
Now if I could find a Teensy 4.1 in stock somewhere....
Bob | June 12, 2021
Great board and support
For grblHAL BoB Unkit for Teensy 4.1. - T41U5XBB
Assembly of the "un" kit went smoothly with the only challenge being snapping together the screw terminals before soldering in place. I found using a small bar clamp was a great help. Once I had received my Teensy 4.1 Phil helped me through my simple problems and I completed the check out, without steppers, in no time. After I connected steppers I found I had to invert the stepper enable, in the grblHAL software settings, before they would work and I tracked down a problem with the Z axis failing to reverse to a wire incorrectly entered into a screw connector.
I am building my own CNC router and am awaiting the final pieces. I am on a waiting list for the double shielded four conductor VFD to spindle cable as it is not yet available. So, no idea when I will get around to finally getting everything working together, properly tuned and running G-Code.
I am building my own CNC router and am awaiting the final pieces. I am on a waiting list for the double shielded four conductor VFD to spindle cable as it is not yet available. So, no idea when I will get around to finally getting everything working together, properly tuned and running G-Code.