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CandCNC RC-400 User Manual

Wireless tablet remote control
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RC-400 Wireless Tablet Remote Control
An Android based wireless application designed to remotely control the
SETUP and RUNNING of a LINUX based PC running CommandCNC™ as a
Copyright Notice:
All content of this document is protected under the copyright laws of the United States. This document
may be reproduced by Owners/Users of the RC-400 Wireless Remote Console for their internal use only. Any other reproduction is
prohibited without the written consent of Fourhills Designs, LLC
of Fourhills Designs, LLC. Android is a trademark of Google and its parent company.
USER MANUAL REV 1A
Setup & Operation
CNC controller.
The name CommandCNC or COMMANDCNC is a trademark

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Summary of Contents for CandCNC RC-400

  • Page 1 All content of this document is protected under the copyright laws of the United States. This document may be reproduced by Owners/Users of the RC-400 Wireless Remote Console for their internal use only. Any other reproduction is prohibited without the written consent of Fourhills Designs, LLC The name CommandCNC or COMMANDCNC is a trademark of Fourhills Designs, LLC.
  • Page 2 RC-400 is custom designed to run on a high resolution (600 X 1024) tablet with interactive buttons. It uses the reliable 802.11 Standard WIFI via low cost and easy to source WIFI routers. Unlike Bluetooth that has to be “Paired”, that has limited range, and is basically limited to about 10 to 30 feet line-of-sight, it provides a robust high speed bidirectional data interface with error correction and built in security.
  • Page 3 (FRO) 43. Running Code Pause and Resume at any time 44. Screen Messages show up on Message Bar on RC-400 screen including tool change prompts 45. Supports RUN PAUSE and STOP of code execution 46. Any Error codes show up in Message Bar...
  • Page 4 Remote Console Running in Plasma Mode. It is designed to be able to start a CONFIG at the Console and the RC-400 will connect and auto – configure itself to run that type Config. The Congfig must be setup to run the Remote Console and the CommandCNC™...
  • Page 5 Wireless Network Setup The process of using the RC-400 Remote Console for CommandCNC™ begins with having access to a Wireless Network (aka WIFI) using standard frequencies and protocols. WIFI is used extensively in both public and private venues. The WLAN specs were introduced as 802.11 originally and there have been updates up to 802.11ax.
  • Page 6 Control Workstation running CommandCNC version 1.3 .X A simple LOCAL WIFI setup with OPTIONAL CAD/Drawing/CAM design software.
  • Page 7 The Quick and Easy Three Device WIFI Setup If all you want is to setup an RC-400 Wireless Tablet, a WIFI ROUTER and the PC running CommandCNC™, then follow these simple steps. 1. Purchase a new WIFI router or a refurbished router that has been reset to factory defaults.
  • Page 8 7. In SETTINGS find the INTERNET (or WIFI) Menu Option. Internet Menu Option WIFI Connection WIFI INFO Connection ON/OFF 8. Your WIFI Mode may not show the new Router under WIFI. If not, hit the WIFI Preferences Menu item. Hit the GEAR to see details on any listed WIFI. You may need to use the ADD NETWORK If no networks shows up Or it not the new router...
  • Page 9 THAT’S IT! Once you have both devices talking to the same Router via wireless (WIFI), they can talk to each other. You can skip the USING EXISTING NETWORK Section and go to the Getting connection between RC-400 Wireless Tablet and CommandCNC...
  • Page 10 Connection to the network (LAN) is usually via a wireless (WIFI) channel. While a router can be setup to allow a WIFI connected computer to access other network devices, the focus of this instruction is to connect the RC-400 Remote Console Tablet to the Linux control computer running CommandCNC™.
  • Page 11 NOTE: The listed networks (SSIDs) are ones that are in our test setup and only one is active (current). Your listing will be completely different. You will need to get the information for the correct net to use and the security password from your Network Administrator.
  • Page 12 SAMPLE of information screen. Your information will be different.
  • Page 13 WIFI enabled and with the same SSID and Password. If you have connection to the existing WIFI with the CommandCNC PC, then skip the next section on setting up a new wireless router/network and go to the RC-400 tablet setup section.
  • Page 14 WAN port. Being able to connect other devices to the router via Ethernet is not part of the process of getting connection between the RC-400 and the LINUX based CommandCNC control computer. Prices vary from as low as $26.00 to almost $200.00. For a limited access (local) WIFI, there is no need to pay more than what you need in features.
  • Page 15 It may seem confusing and there are sections about TCP/IG and setting up a LAN connection that are only needed if you want to involve more computers and use the router to interface between a Local Area Network (LAN) and the CommandCNC PC or possibly use a browser on the tablet (not recommended).
  • Page 16 Label on bottom of a TP-Link Router with SSID for two channels and password (PIN is PW in YELLOW) Note: You SSID and Password will be different. This image for illustration only.
  • Page 17 If the Kernel is older, then it needs to be upgraded. There will be an upgrade on the memory chip you are sent with the RC-400 and it needs to be applied PRIOR to the new version of CommandCNC on the memory chip.
  • Page 18 YOU NEED TO BE RUNNING 64 BIT LINUX OS AND RECENT KERNEL VERSION TO RUN COMMANDCNC updates higher than 1.2.9.X https://www.candcnc.net/commandcnc/cncxf/kernel_5.10.52-rt47_update.run.zip or you can copy it from the Memory Stick to the Downloads folder. DO NOT try to unzip it on the memory stick then copy that to the CommandCNC PC. It won’t work.
  • Page 19 The CommandCNC update will be on the Memory stick. It will have the name/structure like: commandcnc_update_1.3.X.X_amd64.run.zip where the “X” will be a number from 0 to 9. It needs to be copied to the Downloads folder and the “Extract Here” done on it to get the RUN (executable) version.
  • Page 20 Setting Up the RC-400 Wireless Tablet for Access to the WIFI The RC-400 Wireless Tablet is an Android tablet with an optimized user interface and reduced applications. The Wireless App is pre-loaded and setup, and the proper SETTINGS done to make connection to the CommmandCNC™...
  • Page 21 TABLET SETTINGS MENU...
  • Page 22 WIFI shows SSID of Router and is enabled All Connected Devices OFF. WIFI does not show up here...
  • Page 24 When a new APP file is released, the Wireless Pendent app needs to first be UNINSTALLED using the APP info Menu. The FORCE STOP may need to be used if the APP does not show CONNECTED and the CommandCNC PC has been restarated.
  • Page 25 CommandCNC™ Console screen with matching RUN screen of the RC-400 Wireless Tablet...
  • Page 26 Getting connection between RC-400 Wireless Tablet and CommandCNC PC: In Order to use the RC-400 to connect and control a CommandCNC PC you must have the following: 1. CandCNC Supplied Wireless Android tablet with WIRELESS PENDANT (apk) installed and functional.
  • Page 27 3. Check Enable Wireless Pendant check box. 4. SAVE any changes to a Configuration using SAVE button. 5. Make note of the SYSTEM ID number. You can highlight and use the clipboard to put it in a text document using Mousepad or you can write it down. It is IMPORTANT that that number be correct.

  • Page 28: Connection Notes

    Select the SQUARE and you will see an option bar come up that says “CLEAR ALL”. Tap that and it will shut down the RC-400 app and you can then restart it from the main menu of applications.
  • Page 29 6. To have a VALID connection, both the SYSTEM ID and the DEVICE ID (Tablet ID) have to be submitted and match the two devices. Those two devices will only talk to each other. Two numbers needed for License to connect. Each system ID wil be different.
  • Page 30 RC-400 SETUP MAIN SCREEN. Allows jogging and setup of the machine. NOTE: 4 axis (A) is only displayed if that axis is active in the CONFIG loaded at the PC Console. Outputs are displayed if defined and displayed at the console.
  • Page 31 Unit must be CONNECTED before it can be brought out of E-STOP. Buttons are non-functional when in ESTOP. HOME BUTTONS: Use to manually HOME each axis. Pushing button causes selected axis to move towards its HOME SENSOR and establishes MACHINE ZERO. It is IMPORTANT that a machine have HOME switches and be able to set MACHINE ZERO.
  • Page 32 The ZERO buttons reset the WORK ZEROs. The WORK position shown on the DROs is relative to WORK ZERO. While MACHINE Zero is set by the HOMES, WORK Zero can be any place on the table and the CODE runs based on WORK Zero.
  • Page 33 The JOG WHEEL has action buttons to jog XY and Z at the JOG SPEEDS selected in the Jog Speed radio buttons. X and Y can be jogged at 90 degree angles or at a diagonal direction using the arrow buttons. The Axis will move in short bursts if the buttons are tapped. The distance is based on the tap frequency and the JOG Speed.
  • Page 34 SPECIAL FUNCTION Buttons. These buttons perform custom functions that can be used during SETUP. The TOUCH OFF when in Plasma Mode performs a Z touch off function. Machine must have an installed and working Touch Off Sensor. Load Material is a way to move the torch or cutting tool out of the way...

  • Page 35: The Run Screen

    THE RUN SCREEN This Menu allows you to RUN the Machine from the RC-400 Wireless Tablet.
  • Page 36 SCROLL UP SCROLL DOWN Scrolls the object highlighted by the CURSOR UP or DOWN SELECT Selects object highlighted CUT FILE Display: Allows display of g-code cut files that are stored in the NC_Files folder on the CommandCNC PC. Use the scroll arrows to scroll though the files in that folder and then the SELECT LOADS that file in to the CommandCNC cut queue.
  • Page 37 CODE DISPLAY: This Displays the current loaded G-code and allows scrolling up or down though the code. TOOLPATH: NOT CURRENLTY ACTIVE. FUTURE OPTION . Will display toolpath in upper window NOT USED. CUT FILES: Displays all G-Code (cut) files in the nc_files directory (folder) of the CommadnCNC Computer.
  • Page 38 The Code ACTION buttons perform the related actions on the loaded code. Buttons only respond if there is valid G-code loaded. The three Action buttons are the same as what are on the screen of the CommandCNC console. They are independent of the other buttons.
  • Page 39 The CommandCNC™ system allows for stopping, rewinding and Starting code at any point. The RC-400 supports that process using the RUN FROM process. The G-code can be scrolled using the Up and Down arrows or by sliding (swiping) with the finger.
  • Page 40 To pick up a missed cut in plasma, there is a defined sequence that will be explained in the DTHC controls section. Feedrate and Feedrate Overider (FRO) Controls The g-code contains Feedrate numbers expressed as an “F” associated with a G1, G2 or G3 type command.
  • Page 41 CommandCNC™ gives preference to accuracy (toolpath tracking) versus speed and VAD controls any diving from slowing to hold accuracy on detailed cuts. USING THE RC-400 to CONTROL THE DTHC THE DTHC PANEL The DTHC panel is used to display the current status and values of the DTHC in near Real time.
  • Page 42 (adjustable at the console) it resets the Preset with the new value. This allows for changes in material density , consumable wear and variations in environmental conditons of a few volts . This is informational only and is not settable via the RC-400 TORCH ON /OFF: This is both an indicator and a control button.
  • Page 43 TORCH ENABLED: This button is a toggle to ENABLE or DISABLED the TORCH from firing based on the TORCH ON (M3) command in g-code. It’s useful to disable the torch to do testing without the torch firing or the DTHC coming on (DTHC is automatically disabled with the torch disabled).
  • Page 44 DTHC STATUS INDICATORS The DTHC STATUS indicators gives a real time display of the DTHC and what is happening. At a glance, the Operator can check the operation of the DTHC and watch it change as it cuts. UP indicator: Shows when the DTHC is moving the Z UP. It does NOT show Up movement from jogging or g-code moves;...
  • Page 45 UP and CommandCNC™ is loaded and active. Lack of DTHC ONLINE will keep the DTHC from being updated with new values, prevent the display on the console and the RC-400 of Torch Volts, UP and DOWN and other DTHC indicators and in some cases prevent the torch from firing.
  • Page 46 3. A manual touch-off using the Touch off button in the MANUAL tab or the touch off button on the RC-400 will set the torch to the top of material. 4. Disable the TORCH using the Disable Torch checkbox in CommandCNC OR the Torch/ Enabled/Torch Disabled toggle button 5.
  • Page 47 RC400 With Router and Spindle Speed The RC400 can be used with Router and (at this time) limited Spindle Speed Fuctions. The following shows the change in the screens when a Router or Spindle CONFIG in CommandCNC™ The swtich to a ROUTER type Macnie Type (Config) causes some Moinor changes in the SETUP screens .
  • Page 48 In order to use the Tool Touch off (Tool Setter) option you must have a Tool Setter Sensorr on the table at a predefined location. Setup and use of that device and how to implement Semi Automated tool Change (SATC) is covered in the ISS-05 Spindle Speed User Manual .
  • Page 49 USING RC400 WIRELESS TABLET WITH SIMPLE ROUTER The SIMPLE ROUTER screen allows a conventional router to be plugged inot the AUX AC outlets on he CommandCNC™ Control and be setup to simply turn the router ON and OFF with an “M” command . You canuse this WITH a SATC to swap router bits although its not as rapid as a Spindle head using ER collets.
  • Page 50 Here is a screen shot of how to setup CommandCNC™ with a Simple Router (no Soindle Speed) using a conventional AC router plugged inot the AUX A ouput on a Bladerunner/G5/G5Xl or MP3700 . The M3 command in the G-Code turns the AUXA outlet ON and the M5 turns it off.
  • Page 51 USING THE RC4000 WIRELESS TABLET WITH SPINDLE SPEED (PRELIMINARY) IMPORTANT: The following information is tentative and will change with later releases of the RC400 Wireless Tablet Application . Updates are free for 1 year after purchase.