Introduction

Kinetic Control is the newest version of the Pocket NC control software and user interface. It can be installed on any V2 series machine since the software is housed on a microSD card instead of the machine itself. To update an existing V2 machine to the new Kinetic Control software and UI follow the instructions below. If you have a V1 machine that connects over HDMI please contact service@pocketnc.com to discuss update options. 

We are regularly improving and adding to Kinetic Control so be sure to check out the recent updates for Kinetic Control by going to the Kinetic Control Software Updates page.

Boot Up Kinetic Control

NOTE: If your machine was purchased before September 1, 2019 or has a serial number of 1800 or lower, please refer to the appendix at the end of this guide.

1. Using a 2mm hex driver, remove the side cover of your machine. This is the panel with all of the warnings on it that covers the main circuit board and beaglebone board.

2. Locate the microSD card slot on the beaglebone board. It should be in the bottom right corner of the small board. 

3. Insert the microSD card that was provided by Pocket NC. The copper traces should face out as you insert the card. 

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4. Boot up the machine as you normally would. The boot up process will take longer than normal upon first boot and then you may need to clear your browser’s cache to get the UI to show up correctly. 

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Additional Resources

The Kinetic Control software is now installed on your machine. From here we recommend heading over to our User Resources page to check out our Kinetic Control Software Overview. 

If you have any issues or unanswered questions, please feel free to reach out to us at service@pocketnc.com.

Appendix

Machines purchased before September 1, 2019, or that have a serial number of 1800 or lower, require a slightly different initial boot up procedure. Those steps are lined out below. Do not follow these alternate boot up instructions if you have a machine with a serial number higher than 1800.

1. Using a 2mm hex driver remove the side cover of your machine. This is the panel with all of the warnings on it that covers the main circuit board and beaglebone board.

2. Locate the microSD card slot on the beaglebone board. It should be in the bottom right corner of the small board as shown below. 

3. Insert the microSD card that was provided by Pocket NC. The copper traces should face out as you insert the card as shown in the figure below. 

4. Remove the beaglebone board from the machine by using two fingers to carefully wiggle and pull the top right corner and the right side until the Beaglebone board comes out. Carefully guide the parts that extend through the chassis of the machine out of the side pocket.

5. Make sure the USB cord that is used to connect to your machine is still connected to your computer. 

6. Locate the boot button on the beaglebone board. 

7. Press and hold the boot button while plugging the USB cable into the board. Continue holding the boot button for about 20 seconds. The blue LEDs at the other end of the board near the USB connector will begin to flash. Once the blue LEDs flash you can stop pressing the button.

8. Give the board about 10 minutes to fully boot up.

9. Disconnect the USB cord and install the beaglebone back into the machine. 

10. Reinstall the side cover plate and connect to the machine as you normally would. 

Note: do not follow these alternate boot up instructions if you have a newer machine.