[TurboStew]

This is my first post to the CncZone so bare with me. I am a Embedded SW Engineer specializing in model-based closed-loop DC motor controls by day (turbine fuel valves), but a hobby CNCer at night. On to the point.

It seems you either get a open-loop controller like Mach and hope your servos keep up, or you spend big money on Camsoft and Galil and have a closed loop sytem. The hardware (Galil = $800+) is cheaper than the software (CamSoft = $3000+), so is it possible to use Mach with one of the PCI motion cards out there. This seems like the ultimate solution to me. Anybody done this? Is it possible? What about another low cost SW package?

Regards,
TurboStew

[Al_The_Man]

See post #65 ~#68 http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24155&page=5
I don't know how far they have come with this, but I would like to see something happen in this direction.
Al.

[ger21]

The Galil card that Art was using used a serial connection, and it was found to be too slow to work with Mach3. Art ordered a PCI Galil card and should have it shortly, and then will continue working on the Mach3 plugin.

But, I'd expect Mach to control the motion through the Galil, but not have closed loop control right away. I'd guess closed loop would be 6-12 months away, and available with the Gecko G100 before the Galil. Just a guess, though.

[Al_The_Man]

But, I'd expect Mach to control the motion through the Galil, but not have closed loop control right away.

Gerry, Don't quite understand? the Galil card closes the loop on its own, all it needs is the instruction.
The Mach3 should just act as front end software.
Al.

[ger21]

I assumed that since Mach3 doesn't currently do closed loop, that it wouldn't be able to do closed loop on the Galil. I might be wrong, then.

[Al_The_Man]

Gerry, Being as the Galil controller is a self contained Motion controller, I was hoping the Mach would just act as a HMI and G-code processor etc. between the Operator and the Galil.
Al.

[turmite]

Al I believe you are correct in your thoughts on how Mach will interact with the Galil. In fact, it is no different in how it interacts with the G100. It is the GUI and either the G100 or the Galil will be the controller.

Mike

[ratrace2]

The Galil card that Art was using used a serial connection, and it was found to be too slow to work with Mach3. Art ordered a PCI Galil card and should have it shortly, and then will continue working on the Mach3 plugin.

But, I'd expect Mach to control the motion through the Galil, but not have closed loop control right away. I'd guess closed loop would be 6-12 months away, and available with the Gecko G100 before the Galil. Just a guess, though.

Why would you expect closed loop to be 6 - 12 months away...?

Just wondering..

[ger21]

Well, I posted that 2 years ago and you still don't have it.

[ratrace2]

Well, I posted that 2 years ago and you still don't have it.

I wasn't here 2 years ago, oops....
Ger, every time I sit down to do some serious research and get this thing built I get pulled away by some project for 6 months. It's making be crazy.
And, the last time I looked at this project Galil looked like a good option until I heard from "AL the Man" that Camsoft was the only game in town and that turned out to be a "Nut Case"; then, I wondered around a bit and started looking at Gecko but thought I would like something a little better--had a better looking check book now. Then "Al the Man" said, Delta Tau is a good foundation for the controller package. Then I saw this about galil and Mach and thought that might be a good idea.
SO, the ya go.

[samco]

I know this is a mach forum - but have you looked at emc2? It will do closed loop with a minimal of hardware. (pid and motion within the pc)

http://www.linuxcnc.org/
supported hardware
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emc...orted_Hardware

emc2 uses 'dumb' hardware that really only counts encoders and outputs pwm or analog signals.

sam