Seeking Best gblHAL / Sheetcam combination solutions

[Magma53]

For starters I have little computer knowledge. I have a plasma table with open builds control on a window 11 computer with sheet Cam v8.0.1 installed. I want to install a thc on my low frequency plasma cutter and I have found out that 8-bit Blackbox I have will not work with an external thc. I believe the GRBLHAL/ESP 32 controller will work with usb-to-uart bridge. Does sheet cam have a post processor and will that controller work? any additional info will be helpfull.

[bLouChip]

most grbl post processor works with grblHAL.

If you’re looking for something turn key or with minimal change, I refer you to JD Garage plasma tables, they use grblHAL, have their own THC design, and advise on a pp. Pay them , it’s worth it I hear.
grblHAL is an excellent choice btw.

JD's Garage LLC

[Magma53]

Let me get this right, if I get a GRBLHAL control board online and the JD Garage THC this will work for me, and I can download any GRBLHAL post processor with THC from the Sheet Cam processor list.

[bLouChip]

@Magma53

if I get a GRBLHAL control board online and the JD Garage THC this will work for me

I don’t know if “this” will work for you, “this” (as you put it) being- just purchasing the JDG THC and connecting it to your grblHAL, and I’m not aware of a post processor by the name of “grblHAL with THC”.

You’re over simplifying the system while seemingly contemplating or attempting a one-off build after acknowledging you have little computer knowledge. Warning: That can be an expensive rat hole.

Hence why I referred you to JDG for their TURN-KEY solution with none to minimal change. Many non-tech savvy folks have used JDG very successfully according to what I’ve read and those I’ve met online for sheetcam related tech questions. I’m also pretty sure JDG provides their custom pp for sheetcam.

That said, I know some folks have been using either of these pps with JDG with little to no change-

Post Processor Example w Custom Options popup window

For those interested in writing their own post processor, this package may provide some example code and ease of use features that interest you. I have only ‘computer tested’ it thus far for correct pp control logic and operation of the Custom Options pop up window and variable uses within the pp and job. The gcode produced is for GRBL plasma generic dialect and has not been tested on my machine yet. I fully expect all those interested in this pp as a template for their custom pp will modify …

GRBL Plasma w THC, Torch Touchoff, and Rotary

update: jump to last post in last page of this thread for the latest scpost file download. I’ve posted this custom .scpost code in various forum replies and questions, various versions of the .scpost while I’ve been developing it. I think it’s pretty stable now, it has features that I like and functions well for my plasma table. Perhaps others can use it with minor changes or as a model in making their custom .scpost, I tried to comment the code well for readability. As it changes going forwa…

I have not yet used JDG, but based on your prompting I just wrote JDG to inquire of using their THC with a non-JDG grblHAL build that I’m working on. I’ll post back here what they tell me.