[TechGraphix]

I saw an offer here on the CncZone, as an introduction for the North American inhabitants.

That must be an introduction.. Here in Holland we have to pay an extra 21% Tax over those listed prices.. :-(
Try to find a nice box for the controller. And get your grounding (earthpoint) right!! use shielding where you can and connect the shield one side only to your earthpoint..
This is a very fine controller but if you neglect EM it can cause you troubles.. Still not much to worry about: just restart the job.. but you can better build it right from the start.
(been there.....)

Kees

[tauntdesigns]

I'm looking at a Dell computer for a dedicated system. I saw one for $250 but not sure I like the power supply. It's a power supply like printers use (external 65watt PS).
Inspiron 3000 Small Desktop Details | Dell

Jack

PS - Kees, If I did a Box like the one from Sorotec. Would that setup be less likely to have EMI problems?

[tauntdesigns]

oops, double post

[TechGraphix]

It's not only the shielding from a box around the controllercard. It's all your wiring and how to place your components in the cabinet. I wrote an article on the Dutch CNCforum about that but it's in dutch.. You could try to translate it in google-translate probaly you will find it informative:
? Bekijk onderwerp - CNCZONE.NL Portaalfrees Project (open source)
From page 8 you will find electronics and issues..
(i hope you can open the pages without signing up first)

I use a HP thin client with W7-embedded.. only 4GB total memory, no harddisk, no ventilator only 10-20W max Runs nothing else than EdingCNC (no virusscanners, no screenblankers nothing..)

Kees

[tauntdesigns]

No pics unless I join the site.

Jack

[TechGraphix]

I think you can savely join the site else i will ask the moderator/owner if he has an account for you.. let me know..

Kees

[tauntdesigns]

Off topic:

I saw a Amonstar 3040T router for sale, never used(they said)
I offered $400, they said yes

Jack

[tauntdesigns]

Can I run the Eding CNC cpu from a laptop computer?

[TechGraphix]

Yes, that is if your laptop runs windows, has an USB-port free and you don't overload it with screenblankers/virusscanners/firewalls/other timeconsuming highpriority software

Preferably: make a clean install of windows 7 or 8, disable all things that are not neccesary for EdingCNC..

Kees

[tauntdesigns]

Thanks Kees,

I have a few laptops around the house I may use. Mom uses one of them that I have cadcam programs on. I may get her a cheap desktop to use.
I now have 3 machines and only one dedicated cnc computer............ thinking out loud

I joined the cnczone.nl

[arie kabaalstra]

My machine runs on a Mini ITX Intel 915 Motherboard, wich is baxically the same hardware as found in some Asus Laptops and Netbooks..I have an Asus Netbook with the same specs.. i also used my netbook for testing

I built both the PC motherboard and the EdingCNC CPU board in one PC chassis with a 10 Cm Ethernet Cable in between them

As Kees stated before, disable all Energysaving, screensavers and the like.. only install a "Barebone as possible" Windows.
My Machine runs on XP Professional..

[tauntdesigns]

Good Morning Arie,

I saw some pics of your system here or over on the cnczone.nl. Looking at those pics and some of the other users pics and videos helped make up my mind to try Eding CNC.
I have been slow about finishing up my controller. I was going to redo my mill's controller, but have decided to buy some new drives and build a new controller for a new router build I'm planning.
I'll order the drives and power supply tomorrow.

Hope you're having a great day,
Jack

[tauntdesigns]

Howdy,

World Cups is over, time to get back to building a controller. (congrats to my .NL friends (3rd place) )

If I use a Gecko G540 4-axis stepper drives, it needs the Charge Pump(watch dog) signal or it will shut down drives. The mill setup I have uses a BoB that looks for that signal or shuts down.

With this Eding cpu, it says I don't need a BoB......... so, how does the Watch Dog work in a setup without a BoB that looks for the signal?

I ask because I may use (4) Gecko G251 drives without the BoB.

Jack

[arie kabaalstra]

Well.. i use Leadshine drives instead of Gecko's .. but..

http://www.edingcnc.com/upload/files...flyer_tech.pdf

it should be in there somewhere..
there is an integrated watchdog circuit, that is used to enable drives.. and i think this goes for the Gecko's.. as well as for the leadshines..
As i power up my machine.. upon hitting F1 (reset) the drives are enabled, and i can home the machine..

[tauntdesigns]

I believe I understand how to use the signal from pin16 on a system with a Breakout Board that looks for that signal.
But, I was thinking I read that a Breakout board wasn't needed for the Eding cpu and was curious as to how others were using the watchdog signal.

I'm not a electronic guy. I have to look at pics and read(and read again)

I'll go read some more,
Jack

[arie kabaalstra]

I'm also not an electronics guy.. but the way i see it.. Parallel port-based CNC software need an BOB, while the EdingCNC CPU is like a BOB..

the biggest difference is in the fact that the signals are buffered to get a nice and smooth movement of the axes.

My machine uses the CPU5B Ethernet.. i don't have the 25 Pins and 9 Pins connectors on that.. i have a number of 10pin Box-headers instead..
the version with the 25 pin and 9 pin connector was devellope for those who are familiar with those connectors.

on the CPU5B, there are 6 Boxheaders for the possible 6 axes, where pin 1 is Amp-Enable ( the watchdog), DamenCNC makes Plug and play connector boards for the drivers they sell, i only had to mount those and plug in some 10 pin flatcables.

Basically you connect the CPU board to the Computer either by USB or Ethernet Cable, then connect the drivers to the correct pins, either from a 25 pins connector or 10 pin flatcable

[tauntdesigns]

I got my eding cnc board out of the box today to measure the mounting holes. I was going to mount the board in a aluminum box, but noticed a few spot of interest.

One of the mounting holes had a silver glob on it and another one is covered with silver on the gold pad around the mounting hole.

Is this something I should be worried about?

Should I contact EdingCNC about a replacement or is there a fix?

Cheers,

[tauntdesigns]

I was looking at one of my breakout boards and those mounting holes are silver. So, should my gold pads be silver?

I sent a email to Bert with the pics attached.

One Love,

[arie kabaalstra]

i don't think they should be silver.. that silver is probably soldering tin.. not a problem.. it wil still conduct
but as far as i know there's no direct need to mount the board with metal fasteners.. i built several controls with plastic PCB mounting feet.. still works like a charm

It can take a while for Bert to answer your mail, since he's on vacation at the moment.. how i know?.. i know Bert personally..

[tauntdesigns]

Thanks arie,

I hadn't thought about using plastic standoffs, but that should work just fine.

Cheers,