Openbuilds Acro

Model Acro 1510

The blackbox motion controller runs on GRBL (see list of commands)

Check the dimensions of your document in the vector drawing program (Inkscape or Illustrator)
- max width: 82cm (820mm)
- max height: 125cm (1250mm)
Prepare your drawing and export as SVG.
Optimize for plotter (Axidraw extention tool, or manually with layers or groups)


	Connect the USB cable from the controller to the computer.
	Plug in the power supply for the controller.
	Turn on the controller.
	On the computer, open the 'OpenBuilds CONTROL' application.
	Open the serial connection: select a USB to serial port and click connect. Look at the serial console to see if the connection worked or not. You'll see connect Firmware Detected if the connection was successful. Try another one if it fails to connect. If the menu doesn't list any good ports, close any applications that might have a serial connection. If that didn't work, restart the Openbuilds controller application or restart the computer.
	The unlock alarm flickers. Click on it do disable the safety lock.
	Click on 'Pen Up'
	Click on 'Home All' (This will move the head to the left front corner to calibrate its origin point).

The machine is now safe and ready to use.


	Open 'OpenBuilds CONTROL' and click 'Wizards & Tools'. Select 'Calibrate Servo Pen Up/Down'.
	Install the pen in the holder.
	Pen up: drag the slider carefully. Try to have the tip of the pen hover just high enough over the paper. Write down the value and click continue.
	Pen down: drag the slider carefully. The pen should rest on the page now. Look from the side and make sure the servo horn is not touching the pen holder anymore, but you'd also want it to stay close by as you want to minimize servo movements. Write down the value and click continue. Then click Save & Apply


	Go to svg2gcode
	Load the plotter settings Download this settings-file On the svg2gcode-website, click 'Settings', then 'Import/Export'. Select the file you just downloaded and click Save
	Enter the new servo positions: Click 'Settings again' At the 'Tool On Sequence' (pen down) section, change the number behind the M3S value to the one you wrote down for Pen Down * For example: M3S166
	At the 'Tool Off Sequence' (pen up) section, change the number behind the M3S value to the one you wrote down for Pen UP For example: M3S180 Click Save
	Select a vector file (SVG)
	Click 'Generate Gcode'. The website downloads the gcode file to your computer.
	Remove incompatible code Open the gcode file in a text editor and remove the characters `M2` on the last line. Save and close the file. This prevents a weird glitch where the pen is dropped back down after the plot finishes.

In OpenBuilds CONTROL, click 'Open Gcode'
Select the gcode file that was downloaded by the svg2gcode website.
Move with the arrows (on screen or on the keyboard) to the left bottom corner of the paper.
Click setzero
Double check the dimensions on the X and Y axis. Measure from the corner with a tape ruler if you're not sure it will fit.

Click 'Run Job' (or space bar) to start plotting
Click 'Pause Job' (or space bar) to pause
Click 'Abort' (or escape) to stop plotting

Needs cleaning up

Note for advanced users

The servo horn is mounted on the servo shaft in such a way that it the zero position is a bit further than the desired pen up value: this allows for a bit of adjustment of the pen up value, while it avoids breaking the flexure. Clicking on the Calibrate Servo Pen Up/Down button 'homes' the servo before any adjustments can be made: it travels quickly to zero, and then back to its previous position. If the horn is mounted such that position zero won't over-stretch the flexure, this is safe to use.

For ballpoints

For pens that can handle a bit more pressure

In Openbuilds Control click 'Unlock Alarm'
Click Pen Up
If you didn't yet calibrate the pen up/down positions, click here
Insert the pen and screw it tight (don't over-tighten) so the point floats a few millimeters over the paper surface
- You can put a thin piece of wood or cardboard underneath when tightening.

For felt tips and brushes

For pens that require delicate pressure

In Openbuilds Control click 'Unlock Alarm'
Click Pen Down
If you didn't yet calibrate the pen up/down positions, click here
Insert the pen and screw it tight (don't over-tighten) so the point touches the paper with the right pressure.
- Instead of pushing down on the pen, you can also lift the flexure mount up a little bit before tightening

Tip: it might be a good idea to do this roughly in the middle of where the drawing will be.

todo: icons

Plug in the power from the Pen plotter
Turn on the driver (blackbox)
In Openbuilds Control:
- Click 'Pen up' (if you forget this, the plotter will draw a line from the home position to the start of the drawing)
- Click 'Home All'
- Define the start position
  - Move the pen head to the right start location.
    Remember that the work origin is the left bottom of the SVG file.
    If you don't set this, the plotter will use the previously set zero point.
  - Click 'setzero'
- Click 'Check Size' (this traces around the perimeter of the drawing to check the location and size of the work in the plotter)
- Click 'Run Job'

Click pen up (if pen is not already up)
Use the arrows to move the pen away from the paper (in the rough direction of home). If you don't do this, the pen might drag on the paper while homing.
Click 'Home All'

Remove the pen
In Openbuilds Control, click 'Pen Down'. Don't forget this, as it releases tension on the flexure mount.
Disconnect the USB connection
Turn of the driver & unplug the plotter

Download an install Openbuilds CONTROL
Open it
Select USB serial connection and click 'connect'
- The Grbl machine settings are transferred to your computer and you're good to go.
Go to cam.openbuilds.com.
- A popup will open. Configure the following settings:
  - Select your controller: Openbuilds Blackbox 4x
  - Select your machine: Openbuilds Acro with servo pen attachment.
    - select the 1510 model
  - Select your tool initialization
    - Leave this blank
  - Customise defaults
    - Do not change anything here