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38 - Adding a Network Node in Flair

▶ 38 - Adding a Network Node in Flair — Watch on YouTube

Okay. Hello and welcome back to another Okay. Hello and welcome back to another MRMC video tutorial. Today we're going MRMC video tutorial. Today we're going MRMC video tutorial. Today we're going to take a look at adding a network node to take a look at adding a network node to take a look at adding a network node in Flare 7. Network node is essentially in Flare 7. Network node is essentially in Flare 7. Network node is essentially a network device such as a turntable a network device such as a turntable a network device such as a turntable which will give you additional which will give you additional which will give you additional functionality in Flare. Some common functionality in Flare. Some common functionality in Flare. Some common network devices are the small turntable network devices are the small turntable network devices are the small turntable such as this one. Uh also available in such as this one. Uh also available in such as this one. Uh also available in larger higher payload options. You can larger higher payload options. You can larger higher payload options. You can get a quad box uh which is essentially a get a quad box uh which is essentially a get a quad box uh which is essentially a motor interface box that gives you four motor interface box that gives you four motor interface box that gives you four ports to drive a stepper motor. Uh also ports to drive a stepper motor. Uh also ports to drive a stepper motor. Uh also available as an octo box which gives you available as an octo box which gives you available as an octo box which gives you eight ports. You have the ulti box which eight ports. You have the ulti box which eight ports. You have the ulti box which uh traditionally drives servo motors and uh traditionally drives servo motors and uh traditionally drives servo motors and is normally seen on a bolt or bolt is normally seen on a bolt or bolt is normally seen on a bolt or bolt junior arm but it also could be set up junior arm but it also could be set up junior arm but it also could be set up as a standalone to run up to six servo as a standalone to run up to six servo as a standalone to run up to six servo motors as model movers. Um, also with a motors as model movers. Um, also with a motors as model movers. Um, also with a special adapter cable, you can run up to special adapter cable, you can run up to special adapter cable, you can run up to three uh stepper motors from the three uh stepper motors from the three uh stepper motors from the Altibox. Now, when these units come from Altibox. Now, when these units come from Altibox. Now, when these units come from MRMC, they should be labeled with an IP MRMC, they should be labeled with an IP MRMC, they should be labeled with an IP address. And if purchased as part of a address. And if purchased as part of a address. And if purchased as part of a package with your robot systems, then package with your robot systems, then package with your robot systems, then normally they will be preconfigured to normally they will be preconfigured to normally they will be preconfigured to work right out of the box. But let's say work right out of the box. But let's say work right out of the box. But let's say you have purchased a turntable um at a you have purchased a turntable um at a you have purchased a turntable um at a later point. Uh you're going to need to later point. Uh you're going to need to later point. Uh you're going to need to add this as a network node. And so we're add this as a network node. And so we're add this as a network node. And so we're going to do that now. So, I've got my going to do that now. So, I've got my going to do that now. So, I've got my Flare open here. I'm running Flare 7 on Flare open here. I'm running Flare 7 on Flare open here. I'm running Flare 7 on a Cinderot Max using Linux. And uh all a Cinderot Max using Linux. And uh all a Cinderot Max using Linux. And uh all the way at the top right hand corner, I the way at the top right hand corner, I the way at the top right hand corner, I have Ethernet here uh with a tick. So, have Ethernet here uh with a tick. So, have Ethernet here uh with a tick. So, if we click on there, then it shows us if we click on there, then it shows us if we click on there, then it shows us our network nodes. And here I can see I our network nodes. And here I can see I our network nodes. And here I can see I have my Rick connected which is the have my Rick connected which is the have my Rick connected which is the Ethernet trigger box. And I have a Ethernet trigger box. And I have a Ethernet trigger box. And I have a network board connected which is a quad network board connected which is a quad network board connected which is a quad board which is essentially the board board which is essentially the board board which is essentially the board that's running the uh track on the that's running the uh track on the that's running the uh track on the Cinderbolt Max. And then I have another Cinderbolt Max. And then I have another Cinderbolt Max. And then I have another network board here which is currently network board here which is currently network board here which is currently not showing as connected. not showing as connected. not showing as connected. Uh also it shows me the BTL that's being Uh also it shows me the BTL that's being Uh also it shows me the BTL that's being used. Now the BTL is the firmware used. Now the BTL is the firmware used. Now the BTL is the firmware essentially that Flare loads and then essentially that Flare loads and then essentially that Flare loads and then puts on the board in order to puts on the board in order to puts on the board in order to communicate with it. It's very important communicate with it. It's very important communicate with it. It's very important that the correct firmware and the that the correct firmware and the that the correct firmware and the correct BTL is loaded for the right type correct BTL is loaded for the right type correct BTL is loaded for the right type of board. So different devices will use of board. So different devices will use of board. So different devices will use different BTLs. So we're going to show a different BTLs. So we're going to show a different BTLs. So we're going to show a graphic now on the screen that shows graphic now on the screen that shows graphic now on the screen that shows some of the most common devices and what some of the most common devices and what some of the most common devices and what BTLs they use. Like I mentioned, we're BTLs they use. Like I mentioned, we're BTLs they use. Like I mentioned, we're going to now add this uh as a node. So, going to now add this uh as a node. So, going to now add this uh as a node. So, we have a label on the turntable that we have a label on the turntable that we have a label on the turntable that gives us the IP address. But let's say gives us the IP address. But let's say gives us the IP address. But let's say you didn't have a label, maybe got lost you didn't have a label, maybe got lost you didn't have a label, maybe got lost or something like that. You could use or something like that. You could use or something like that. You could use find all and as long as the device is find all and as long as the device is find all and as long as the device is powered and connected to your network powered and connected to your network powered and connected to your network port or your network hub that Flair's port or your network hub that Flair's port or your network hub that Flair's using, you should be able to find it. using, you should be able to find it. using, you should be able to find it. So, here we found our board. It's the So, here we found our board. It's the So, here we found our board. It's the one ending in 239. And we can see it's a one ending in 239. And we can see it's a one ending in 239. And we can see it's a uni board because it's a small uni board because it's a small uni board because it's a small turntable. So we're going to add this turntable. So we're going to add this turntable. So we're going to add this here. Add node. We then need to select here. Add node. We then need to select here. Add node. We then need to select network board because it's not a rick or network board because it's not a rick or network board because it's not a rick or a link board. We need to update the IP a link board. We need to update the IP a link board. We need to update the IP address. address. address. And we need to make sure we are And we need to make sure we are And we need to make sure we are selecting the right BTL. So in this case selecting the right BTL. So in this case selecting the right BTL. So in this case being a small turntable which contains a being a small turntable which contains a being a small turntable which contains a uniboard, we're selecting the unisex uniboard, we're selecting the unisex uniboard, we're selecting the unisex ether_2.bl. And then we're going to go save, apply. And then we're going to go save, apply. Uh, it's going to ask us to reload the Uh, it's going to ask us to reload the Uh, it's going to ask us to reload the engine. So, we're going to say yes to engine. So, we're going to say yes to engine. So, we're going to say yes to that. Okay. It's going to ask me if I want to Okay. It's going to ask me if I want to hot boot, which essentially means do I hot boot, which essentially means do I hot boot, which essentially means do I want to reload all the other boards, want to reload all the other boards, want to reload all the other boards, which isn't really necessary. So, we're which isn't really necessary. So, we're which isn't really necessary. So, we're going to select no. going to select no. going to select no. And here now on our third network board And here now on our third network board And here now on our third network board that we've added, it now shows us not that we've added, it now shows us not that we've added, it now shows us not required. Now, what that means when it required. Now, what that means when it required. Now, what that means when it says not required, it means it has not says not required, it means it has not says not required, it means it has not yet been assigned to an axis to actually yet been assigned to an axis to actually yet been assigned to an axis to actually be used. So, we're going to close this be used. So, we're going to close this be used. So, we're going to close this here now here now here now and we're going to now assign it to an and we're going to now assign it to an and we're going to now assign it to an axis. Now, our axes here in Flare are axis. Now, our axes here in Flare are axis. Now, our axes here in Flare are these rows that you have. Now, uh you these rows that you have. Now, uh you these rows that you have. Now, uh you may find that you do not have any may find that you do not have any may find that you do not have any further rows, any additional rows to further rows, any additional rows to further rows, any additional rows to show here. Um, so what we're going to do show here. Um, so what we're going to do show here. Um, so what we're going to do is we're going to go to system is we're going to go to system is we're going to go to system and configuration. and configuration. and configuration. Now here under axes, it shows you a Now here under axes, it shows you a Now here under axes, it shows you a number which is the number of rows that number which is the number of rows that number which is the number of rows that it shows for the axis. So we're going to it shows for the axis. So we're going to it shows for the axis. So we're going to now increase this by one. Um, and now increase this by one. Um, and now increase this by one. Um, and essentially that will show it will it essentially that will show it will it essentially that will show it will it will there are many rows because flare will there are many rows because flare will there are many rows because flare can have many axes. So there are can have many axes. So there are can have many axes. So there are actually many rows but they're hidden at actually many rows but they're hidden at actually many rows but they're hidden at this point. So, we're now going to open this point. So, we're now going to open this point. So, we're now going to open up another row. So, we're going to save, up another row. So, we're going to save, up another row. So, we're going to save, apply, and then we're going to reopen apply, and then we're going to reopen apply, and then we're going to reopen Flare. Okay. Again, I'm going to select no to Okay. Again, I'm going to select no to hot booting. Okay. So now we're going to go to our Okay. So now we're going to go to our axis here and we can see that we have an axis here and we can see that we have an axis here and we can see that we have an additional row here that's become additional row here that's become additional row here that's become available. Uh now we want to make sure available. Uh now we want to make sure available. Uh now we want to make sure that we have the correct configs for that we have the correct configs for that we have the correct configs for this new device that we're adding this new device that we're adding this new device that we're adding because it's important in order for the because it's important in order for the because it's important in order for the turntable to run correctly. Uh things turntable to run correctly. Uh things turntable to run correctly. Uh things like the scaling and the limits and the like the scaling and the limits and the like the scaling and the limits and the motor type need to be correctly defined. motor type need to be correctly defined. motor type need to be correctly defined. So if you do not have this information So if you do not have this information So if you do not have this information or this information is already not or this information is already not or this information is already not already in flare then you can request already in flare then you can request already in flare then you can request this from MRMC this from MRMC this from MRMC and you could very simply import this. and you could very simply import this. and you could very simply import this. Actually it comes as a text file and if Actually it comes as a text file and if Actually it comes as a text file and if you click on import here you click on import here you click on import here I have this I have this I have this on my flash drive that I've inserted on my flash drive that I've inserted on my flash drive that I've inserted here. here. here. So I have a config file for model mover So I have a config file for model mover So I have a config file for model mover small which is what I have. So I double small which is what I have. So I double small which is what I have. So I double click on it and there's my axis configs click on it and there's my axis configs click on it and there's my axis configs have now been imported. I'm going to have now been imported. I'm going to have now been imported. I'm going to save and apply. save and apply. save and apply. And now this is the bit where we need And now this is the bit where we need And now this is the bit where we need now need to connect this to our node now need to connect this to our node now need to connect this to our node that we've added. So if you recall we that we've added. So if you recall we that we've added. So if you recall we can have another look here. Um so this can have another look here. Um so this can have another look here. Um so this is network board three. So, it's is network board three. So, it's is network board three. So, it's essentially node three and it's essentially node three and it's essentially node three and it's uniboard. So, we're going network. We're uniboard. So, we're going network. We're uniboard. So, we're going network. We're on node three and it's port one because on node three and it's port one because on node three and it's port one because a uniboard only has one port. So, it's a uniboard only has one port. So, it's a uniboard only has one port. So, it's port one. So, we're going to save and port one. So, we're going to save and port one. So, we're going to save and apply this. Um, now you see the name has apply this. Um, now you see the name has apply this. Um, now you see the name has changed here to mm small, which was the changed here to mm small, which was the changed here to mm small, which was the the name that was contained in the small the name that was contained in the small the name that was contained in the small text file that I loaded. Um and if we text file that I loaded. Um and if we text file that I loaded. Um and if we now activate this um now activate this um now activate this um this axis this axis this axis then we can move it and this completes adding a network node and this completes adding a network node in the form of a small turntable. Okay. in the form of a small turntable. Okay. in the form of a small turntable. Okay. Okay. An important bit of information, Okay. An important bit of information, Okay. An important bit of information, of course, is that if you want to of course, is that if you want to of course, is that if you want to connect things to a network, you cannot connect things to a network, you cannot connect things to a network, you cannot have the same device or two devices with have the same device or two devices with have the same device or two devices with the same IP address on the network. It the same IP address on the network. It the same IP address on the network. It won't connect. So, let's say you wanted won't connect. So, let's say you wanted won't connect. So, let's say you wanted to connect two of these small turntables to connect two of these small turntables to connect two of these small turntables on the same network. It would require on the same network. It would require on the same network. It would require you to change one of the IP addresses. you to change one of the IP addresses. you to change one of the IP addresses. So, let's go back to the network nodes So, let's go back to the network nodes So, let's go back to the network nodes here, the network configs. Okay. So, here, the network configs. Okay. So, here, the network configs. Okay. So, let's say we want to change this to let's say we want to change this to let's say we want to change this to another IP address. Uh, we need to another IP address. Uh, we need to another IP address. Uh, we need to obviously pick a number that's not obviously pick a number that's not obviously pick a number that's not already been chosen. So, let's say we're already been chosen. So, let's say we're already been chosen. So, let's say we're going to choose um 241. going to choose um 241. going to choose um 241. We're going to then click set and burn We're going to then click set and burn We're going to then click set and burn IP IP IP and then save and apply. and then save and apply. and then save and apply. And then I'm going to And then I'm going to And then I'm going to close Flare. good. So now we're going to go back to good. So now we're going to go back to our network node. Um, and we see it's our network node. Um, and we see it's our network node. Um, and we see it's showing connected at 241, which is the showing connected at 241, which is the showing connected at 241, which is the new IP address. So let's test this. new IP address. So let's test this. new IP address. So let's test this. We're going to We're going to We're going to activate the axis activate the axis activate the axis and we can indeed turn it at the new and we can indeed turn it at the new and we can indeed turn it at the new address. And you could now bring in the address. And you could now bring in the address. And you could now bring in the second turntable which most likely would second turntable which most likely would second turntable which most likely would still be labeled 239 and you could now still be labeled 239 and you could now still be labeled 239 and you could now add this as your another network node. add this as your another network node. add this as your another network node. So yeah, it's very simple to change IP So yeah, it's very simple to change IP So yeah, it's very simple to change IP addresses if you need to, but be sure to addresses if you need to, but be sure to addresses if you need to, but be sure to change it to a number that is not change it to a number that is not change it to a number that is not already uh allocated. If the device already uh allocated. If the device already uh allocated. If the device doesn't immediately reconnect, uh try to doesn't immediately reconnect, uh try to doesn't immediately reconnect, uh try to restart Flare, try to reload it by using restart Flare, try to reload it by using restart Flare, try to reload it by using this button here, load, or power cycle this button here, load, or power cycle this button here, load, or power cycle the device itself.