[mchammer83]

Hello PlanetCNC (or anyone who can shed some light on this)

I've been comparing the two controller boards as i'm currently looking to upgrade from CNCUSB (with an Mk1). Mk1 has been a good board, just heavily under featured compared to whats available these days.

I've looked into the TNG software, the Mk3/4 (4axis) and Mk3 (9axis) controllers and I think I'm nearly over the line with my choices, however

Can anyone provide some advice/guidance/recommendation between the two boards mentioned above to help make this decision, particularly on these two fronts:

1: Ability of each to eventually connect with either a PlanetCNC MPG and/or aftermarket Pendants/MPG.
2: Ability to use the warp function (my application will be for PCBs). (this is not available on a Mk1; so i can't really test it).

Im mainly interested in some guidance on point 1. Point 2 is more just any general feedback from those that have used it.

From what I can ascertain from all my research on the Planetcnc websites, forums, guides, users etc, it looks like the Mk3 (9axis) has more options/connections for MPG connections and functions?

Taken from the manuals of both modules, the Ctrl header comparison is as follows:

Mk3/4 CTRL connector
E-STOP: E-Stop
IDX: Index signal for spindle synchronization
ENC A: Encoder for spindle synchronization
ENC B: Encoder for spindle synchronization
GND: Ground

Vs

Mk3 CTRL connector
E-STOP: E-Stop
MD1: Mode switch
MD2: Mode switch
AX1: Axis switch
AX2: Axis switch
EN1A: Encoder for MPG
EN1B: Encoder for MPG
IDX: Index signal for spindle synchronization
+5V: Power supply for encoder
EN2B: Additional encoder
EN2A: Additional encoder
EN3B/AX3: Axis switch for additional axes or encoder
EN3A/AX3: Axis switch for additional axes or encoder
EN4B: Encoder for spindle synchronization
EN4A: Encoder for spindle synchronization
GND: Ground


As you can see there are loads more connections on the 9 axis board. I'd like to go with the 4 axis board (ease of connection methods mainly, cost is not the significant factor here), BUT I dont want to hurt my self in the longer run when i investigate the MPG pendants down the track. It also looks like the 4 axis board doesn't really support pendants given the available connections??? I couldn't really find much detail on this.

Apologies for the long response; i'd really like to make a considered call on this one as whatever is going into my machine will be there for the long haul (that's the plan anyway).

Thanks for any/all assistance

Cheers

[PlanetCNC]

Mk3/4 supports only our wireless pendant:
https://planet-cnc.com/product/wireless-handwheel/
wire pendants are not supported.

Mk3 also supports wired pendants.

Both boards have same Warp functionality.