[tkms002]

Looking for a discussion of what is better to use.
Is the printer port on an old machine in any way better or worse than using a USB or ETH motion control board?
Is buying a motion control board worth the money?
As far as software is concerned I am leaning towards UCCNC but my still go the Mach3 route.
Thanks

[A_Camera]

Go for UCCNC and UC300ETH or UC400. That's the best of the two. Mach3 is simply too old and outdated regardless of the interface you use.

[ger21]

UCCNC does not work with a parallel port.
As stated above, either of the ethernet boards are the best choice. Don't bother with USB.

[Tutu]

£3 BOB for me with parallel port, one of the hardest things was finding a pc with a PP, in the end I bought 2 PP PCI cards (1st one didn't work) to get a working PP for linuxcnc. My budget is always pushed so had to build the router in spurts as the paychecks came in so made more sense to me to get the AM882's and 70v PSU with cheap BOB than an expensive controller with cheaper drivers and crapper PSU. I would like to upgrade at some point but I don't see any hurry rather play with the router first for a couple of months and of course it's xmas in a few weeks.

If you are the building stage getting a BOB is good even only for testing the motors/axis, etc before you buy a better board easy enough to swap across.

I wanted to use Linuxcnc so my options are more limited although they're are many expensive hi end options available they are beyond the budget and aimed at servo machines I have a simple nema 23 steppers.

If anyone can point me at a linuxcnc compatible controller in the £2-300 range I'd appreciate it.

[samco]

Depends on the budget - you can get an Ethernet mesa board that acts like 2 printer ports on steroids for $89 and is expandable. (with realtime communication)

https://mesaus.com/index.php?route=p...&product_id=98

£3 BOB for me with parallel port, one of the hardest things was finding a pc with a PP, in the end I bought 2 PP PCI cards (1st one didn't work) to get a working PP for linuxcnc.

If you are the building stage getting a BOB is good even only for testing the motors/axis, etc before you buy a better board easy enough to swap across.

I wanted to use Linuxcnc so my options are more limited although they're are many expensive hi end options available they are beyond the budget and aimed at servo machines I have a simple nema 23 steppers.

[Tutu]

Depends on the budget - you can get an Ethernet mesa board that acts like 2 printer ports on steroids for $89 and is expandable. (with realtime communication)

https://mesaus.com/index.php?route=p...&product_id=98

Nice one that's exactly what I was looking for! I heard of these controllers but couldn't remember what they were called.


At moment I have 2 PP and 2 BOB's but I'm only using 1 BOB only got a simple 3 axis router and I have no Z axis switches so I don't have a use for extra inputs yet but that's the obvious upgrade route.

I take it I still use my PP breakout boards with it?

[tkms002]

is BOB (break Out Board) a generic term for the UCC200eth and the Smothstepper type boards or something else entirely?

[Tutu]

is BOB (break Out Board) a generic term for the UCC200eth and the Smothstepper type boards or something else entirely?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-axis-MA...gAAOSwq5lTq-Dx

This is an example of a cheap LPT breakout board it literally is breaking out the pins from the parallel port into something you can work with. The relay is for turning on/off the spindle.

[PCW_MESA]

Nice one that's exactly what I was looking for! I heard of these controllers but couldn't remember what they were called.


At moment I have 2 PP and 2 BOB's but I'm only using 1 BOB only got a simple 3 axis router and I have no Z axis switches so I don't have a use for extra inputs yet but that's the obvious upgrade route.

I take it I still use my PP breakout boards with it?

Yes, you can use most parallel port BOBs with the 7I92

[Tutu]

Yes, you can use most parallel port BOBs with the 7I92

I just realised I could use my spare all in 1 pc which has a touchscreen if I have an Ethernet controller which would be cool

[tkms002]

That did not really answer my question.

[ger21]

is BOB (break Out Board) a generic term for the UCC200eth and the Smothstepper type boards or something else entirely?

Something else entirely.
A breakout board plugs into the motion controller and provides you with terminals to connect your wiring to. Breakout boards range from very simple, terminal only boards for $10 or less, to full featured boards that add relays, speed controls, and other features, and can cost up to $200 or more.

[tkms002]

Something else entirely.
A breakout board plugs into the motion controller and provides you with terminals to connect your wiring to. Breakout boards range from very simple, terminal only boards for $10 or less, to full featured boards that add relays, speed controls, and other features, and can cost up to $200 or more.

Ok so now I am confused. What hardware is needed between the Ethernet cable and the stepper motors?

[ger21]

If you are talking about UCCNC, you need the following:

Motion controller - UC300ETH or UC400ETH
Breakout board (or multiple breakout boards) which plugs into the motion controller.
Stepper drives and stepper power supply. The stepper drive is wired to the breakout board.

[A_Camera]

I just realised I could use my spare all in 1 pc which has a touchscreen if I have an Ethernet controller which would be cool

Also through WIFI if you add a WIFI switch to your controller...

Yes, Ethernet controller opes up new possibilities, apart from the obvious advantages of noise immunity.

[samco]

Sometimes the motion controller (I use this term loosely as with linuxcnc the external hardware isn't a motion controller) has an integrated 'BOB'.

Example.
https://mesaus.com/index.php?route=p...&product_id=66

This has 5 axis step/dir, 48 isolated i/o, analog spindle speed control, diff/ttl encoder interface and expandable.

So

Computer -> Ethernet cable -> mesa 7I76E -> stepper drives
                                         -> spindle drive
                                         <> i/o
                                         <-spindle encoder
                                         ->expantion

[ger21]

But he's asking about a UCCNC setup.

[samco]

I thought he was asking in generic terms... I was just giving another example.

Ok so now I am confused. What hardware is needed between the Ethernet cable and the stepper motors?

But he's asking about a UCCNC setup.

[tkms002]

I thought he was asking in generic terms... I was just giving another example.

OK So lets say I have decided to go with UCCNC.
I have a 4 year old laptop. Can I use this to run the machine?
What would be a good reliable hardware set up that would include the possibility of adding a torch height control?
Looking for a proven set up including what 4 axis stepper kit to get. I am building a 4x8 router with the possibility of adding a plasma cutter to it. The gantry will weigh
about 40lbs all up.
So, ethernet cable to UC300ETH, to ( ) to stepper drivers to the steppers.
I know there are a million ways to do this but I want a reliable system that is PROVEN to work together.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[ger21]

There are way too many variables involved for anyone to properly tell you what steppers and drives to buy, without knowing all the details of your machine, and your performance goals.
Are you saying the gantry is 40lbs, including the spindle? That would be a pretty flimsy machine. How are you driving the gantry?

If you want the best breakout board for the UC300ETH, it's the UB1 from CNC Room. That's what I'm using.

I don't know anything about plasma, or it's requirements.