Firmware 1.2.1 releases today (2/8/2023) for all X-35/X-50 Onefinity machines with the buildbotics controller. (does not apply to elite series)
A little background.
Firmware 1.0.9 was the longest running firmware we've had up since release. It was solid, relatively bug free and very stable. We worked hard on 1.1.0, 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 to add many new features and build on future additions to the firmware. We did private beta testing and in house, everything worked great. We gave it to a hand full of testers and, they too, had almost no issues. For some reason we skipped open beta testing to anyone who wanted to try and released it to the public. Unfortunately, with the larger sample size more bugs were found and with the many major changes it became harder to squash said bugs. We made some human errors and rushed out what we though was ready to go in the excitement of getting these features out to everyone.
After a few weeks it became apparent that 1.1.0 and 1.1.1 had enough bugs we couldn't recommend installing it and resumed installing 1.0.9 from the factory. Unfortunately, we couldn't 'turn off' the 'update available 1.1.1' message when you connect your controller to the internet as some users are already on 1.1.1 and we're unsure if it would break their machine or stop their ability to auto update forever, so we left it up.
What are we achieving with 1.2.1 firmware?
Todays firmware release may seem like we've moved backwards, but allows us to do 3 things;
1.) We went back to the fresh and stable release of 1.0.9 and added 5 changes and bug fixes. This means that 1.2 will not include all the enhancements that 1.1.0, 1.1.1, and 1.1.2 alpha included. This is to ensure you have the most stable firmware you can possibly have on your machine and avoid any unforeseen issues bugs may cause.
2) This also allows us to essentially 'skip' 1.1.0 and 1.1.1 upgrade notifications users would have when connecting their controller to the internet and now it will show the 1.2 update bypassing the buggy 1.1.X releases.
3) Support the newly released Z-20 Heavy Duty Z Slider (by adding default configuration settings for it to the reset configurations setting in the firmware) See: Installing the Z-20 Heavy Duty Z Slider (configuring the software)
What are the changes from 1.0.9 to 1.2.1 firmware?
(bug) Fixed bug when uploading files with special character or spaces in the file name (like . _ ?*&^&, etc.)
(bug) Max usable file size increased from 100mb to 1gb
(bug) Fixed long/slow movement bug (mostly seen in laser movements that would case the machine to skip steps with long movements under 15~ ipm)
(Add-On) Display can now be rotated 180 degrees
(bug) Fixed an issue when the most recent file uploaded wasn’t automatically made the active file.
(Visual) Added a visual change of the logo header and IP address/ssid/firmware version in the header
(Setting) Added to the 'reset configuration' to include choosing which Z slider you have currently installed (Z-16 original or the new Z-20 Heavy Duty).
Where can I get 1.2.1 firmware?
If you are connected to the internet with your controller, a upgrade pop up will be at the top of your screen and can update by tapping that notification. If you are offline and want to update, you can do it via USB by going to our forum link here: fourm.onefinitycnc.com
Important notes:
If you are already on 1.1, 1.1.1, or 1.1.2, you MUST do a full ‘reflash’ of the OS to 1.2 (this involves removing the sd card and flashing via a computer. More details here: How to reflash the OS on the SD card
If you are on 1.0.9 and below and have never had 1.0, 1.1.1, or 1.1.2 installed, you are free to upgrade via the traditional USB upgrade via the general page on the controller or via the upgrade interface if you are connected to the internet with your controller. USB download link here: 1.2.1 update package
What about the future?
Starting with this release and going forward, all release will go though the following testing phases. 1: internal testing 2: private beta testing 3: public beta testing via the forum 4: Public Release.
This schedule of releases ensures the firmware to be the most stable releases we can possibly make.
My X-35/x50 Machine hasn't shipped yet, what firmware will it have on it?
If your machine hasn't shipped yet, it will arrive with firmware 1.2.1 preinstalled. You will not need to update your machine upon arrival.
What about the Elite Series ft/Masso firmware?
There have also been concerns that our original controller firmware development will be halted since the Elite Series has come out with the Masso controller. This is in fact not the case. The development team that works on our original controller firmware will not be involved in the Masso firmware development, and have actually grown in size! Masso's developers are a completely separate team devoted to their own controller.
Speaking of future, what comes after 1.2.1 firmware?
The next firmware version of the software, 2.0 is a major software revision. What do we mean by 'major'? Visually, and functionally, it will look and work very much the same as our current firmware (1.2). However, it's underlying programing is moving to 64bit architecture, which means major, under the hood, work. What does moving to 64 bit mean? In simplified terms, it allows us to change from the current older raspberry pi 3b computer module that's inside our controller today to the raspberry pi 4 computer module.
The biggest visible change a user will see is that the 3d preview is now available on all original controllers with 2.0 firmware (as it was only available previously on a networked computer).
We will be releasing 2.0 with little-to-no new features to ensure the most stable firmware.
Once we're sure 2.0 is as stable as can be, we will be slowly implementing all of the new features of 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and many more features into firmware 2.1 and beyond. A gradual release of features should enable us to avoid buggy releases in the future.
One thing to note as of 2.0 firmware:
Due to the major underlying bootloader updates, it will REQUIRE physical removal of the SD card in the controller and flashing via a computer. A micro SD card reader is required. (recommended if you computer does not have one built in: https://amzn.to/3WsjWMe ). You will not be able to upgrade from 1.X to 2.X of the firmware without flashing the entire OS via a computer. It's a simple process, detailed in full here:
Can I test 2.0 now?
Yes! We need more beta testers to make 2.0 as stable as possible! Follow this link for more information: Firmware 2.0 Alpha Test #1
*Notice: this can have bugs and is not recommended for production shops
Where can I report bugs I come across in firmware?
You can report bugs in their respective forum threads:
Where should I not report bugs?
The worst place you can report is on the Facebook group. No developers monitor the group. Always use the forum (above links) to report bugs.