[blades]

I just recently learned that my UC100 controller is capable of 6 axis control. I currently have it running my 3 axis CNC router from a single G540. However, I have a 4/5 axis rotary attachment coming that I want to play around with. I can't find good info on how to achieve or wire via BOB the additional 2 drives. That made me start wondering if it would be possible to run (2) G540's in tandem from the UC100 controller. I am currently running all 4 ports on my G540, as my Y axis is a dual motor setup. So I would be running just 2 axis on the 2nd G540.

On a side-note, I wish Gecko would come out with an expanded G540 with 6 or 8 drives.
Edit: I just learned about the GREX. Apparently that has come and gone before I was even aware of its existence.

Any idea on how or if this could be accomplished? Certainly it couldn't be as simple as a Y splitter cable. I am not opposed to getting an AXBB-E controller, which may simplify things if necessary.

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
the UC100 has a total of 17 IO's with an effective maximum of 5 inputs and 12 outputs. If you use six motors and therefore required 12 outputs, that leaves just the 5 inputs.
You could split those across two G540's but you'd be severely hampered by the lack of IO.

A UC400 has twp ports worth of IO, 34 in total. They can be arranged with modest flexibility, for instance:

24 outputs and 10 inputs or
16 outputs and 18 inputs.

A UC300 has five ports worth of IO, ie 85 inputs and outputs in total. They have some modest flexiblity in how they are assigned:

36 outputs 49 inputs or
28 outputs 57 inputs or
20 outputs 65 inputs.

Not sure about the AXBEE-E, if I recall correctly they have similar capacity to the UC400.

In short, one of the larger and more capable motion controllers (UC400,UC300, AXBEE-E) are probably indicated.

On a side-note, I wish Gecko would come out with an expanded G540 with 6 or 8 drives.

Why? With the cheap and yet extremely capable stepper drivers coming out of China, many of which are considerably more capable than any one channel of a G540 and for a fraction
of the price why would you bother?. I imagine Gecko sales struggle against the competition already, adding another product line that is in even worse shape (competitively) would
not be high on their agenda.

I just learned about the GREX. Apparently that has come and gone before I was even aware of its existence.

It was a disaster, you did not want it anyway.

Craig

[peteeng]

Hi Blades - Unfortunately you will need to move away from a G540 as it is not expandable to more axes. Its designed as a simple one box controller for 4 axes and it does that well. It was the first controller I used and it served me well for some years. But there are better ones around or if you build a discrete driver system then you are just limited by the BOB. The UCCNC range is good, so work through their manuals and get an understanding of them. Since your in the USA look at Dynomotion systems, there is a forum on the cnczone that covers most of its stuff. It is very well supported and scalable to any number of axes and I/Os and has excellent advanced motion control. My current build is a large 5 axis router and 3D printer then after that an anthropomorphic robot. Dynomotion handles all of these configs easily.. Tracking says its nearly here so I look forward to learning how to drive it! I have used UCCNC for 8 years and Knighthawk for the last year...Learning a new control system is always a steep hill. Peter

https://www.store.dynomotion.com/products/kflop

[storm2313]

Hi Blades - Unfortunately you will need to move away from a G540 as it is not expandable to more axes. Its designed as a simple one box controller for 4 axes and it does that well. It was the first controller I used and it served me well for some years. But there are better ones around or if you build a discrete driver system then you are just limited by the BOB. The UCCNC range is good, so work through their manuals and get an understanding of them. Since your in the USA look at Dynomotion systems, there is a forum on the cnczone that covers most of its stuff. It is very well supported and scalable to any number of axes and I/Os and has excellent advanced motion control. My current build is a large 5 axis router and 3D printer then after that an anthropomorphic robot. Dynomotion handles all of these configs easily.. Tracking says its nearly here so I look forward to learning how to drive it! I have used UCCNC for 8 years and Knighthawk for the last year...Learning a new control system is always a steep hill. Peter

https://www.store.dynomotion.com/products/kflop

This isn't true.

The drive itself can't be expanded, but an enclosure can be used to support up to 8 axes of motion.

I've offered a dual G540 system for years, and you can easily run two G540 drives with up to 8 axes using a UC-400 ethernet controller, or ESS.

Here's just the enclosure with all ports added. https://www.ebay.com/itm/135133363387

Here's the dual G540 6 axes system. with 600oz motors. https://www.ebay.com/itm/133714768475

Thank you,
Vince