Hi Everyone, this newbie needs some help on the controls side of a CNC machine.

I stumbled across a 48x48x5" precix CNC router, which I couldn't pass up, and since I have experience with design and a little CNC programming from work, I thought I could handle it.

It looks nearly identical to this, except mine does NOT have the monitor and software on-board (just eliminate the monitor & attachment hardware sticking out). I only have handheld jog/start/stop control box.
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/11/newer4x8routerlookaliketz6.jpg

It was probably built around 1997, takes only HPGL files as input and has bipolar stepper motors (3/6A @ 2.88/1.44 V). Everything works on it and I've fed it some basic HPGL files over the serial port to make sure the controller works.
I plan to use it for full 3d work, and after researching that HPGL is really only 2.5 axis, I think I just should just convert it to G-code instead of estimating the 3rd axis with some translator to get back to HPGL.

So here's my problem: I don't know what controller boards I need to buy to make this work with G-code, and hopefully keep the same stepper motors. I'd like to keep a budget under 1k for the retrofit.

Here's a shot of the entire inside of the controller box:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/733/img1484ug7.jpg

Back Panel of the controller with cables disconnected. (only use the x,y,z on the bottom row)
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3821/img1483cp6.jpg

Better views of some of the boards:
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2365/img1488xm6.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6830/img1489wd7.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8313/img1486ju9.jpg


and I managed to find the drawing of the stepper from the mfg (EAD).

i am sure you could use mach 3, we use wincnc and it may be a little further
than you need to go, mach three advertises on cnc zone and i am sure they would appreciate the link from here, i am sure theres a gecko for you, show us your machine jim

Jim, thanks for the response, but I've already tried a Mach3 Demo to see if I could get it talk with the machine controller and I didn't have any luck since Mach3 is really only sending out G-code commands as best I could figure and my CNC is wanting commmands in HPGL-in format.
I would like to get away with just a software solution, but I don't think I can.

I'm all in favor of using Gecko's if I can, but I don't have a clue of which ones to buy, or even how to hook them up. I look at my current controller and there's 5 or 6 different boards in there and I'm confused how all that gets replaced with 1 to 3 little gecko boards. Hopefully someone here can set me on the right path with hardware.

thanks!
Josh

You should call Precix in Canada. The control will only do 2.5D. I have a belt drive 4x8 Precix from 2003 and it can't do true 3D. However, it can do programs from Enroute Pro and VCarve Pro 3D in 2.5D. Difference is that the control can't process all 3 axis at same time. Still does 3D work on flat stock. Did you get a book with machine? You should square the gantry to the table by adjusting the long gantry belts that run along the side of the table. True 3D controllers process X Y and Z simultaneously. You are not going to find that on small sign making machines. I just bought a NEE controller to retrofit my machine for $6,000. That's just the parts. Rethink your needs.
www.precix.com is the link...

Wait! At 2:30AM I have another idea. Precix contollers need a Precix driver (Gcode format) to see the file in Gcode. Create a program in a cad cam that has Precix listed as a cam format. Also it is a DOS format for the file name. That means 9 spaces in length including the dot and file extension letters. All lower case.

i do not see any reason you cannot use mach 3, you will not have a file with out a cam package, i'll get a guy named joey on this forum to look at it and we can email you a file, however you should be able to move the gantry and z with the mach software have you shown this on mach,s forum on cnc zone and here

http://www.machsupport.com/artsoft/index/index.htm

and forum
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=collapse;c=2;sa=expand#2

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52194&highlight=mach+forum

just a start jim

Jim - that's not a 25 pin input (how I wish it was a standard parallel port) but it's actually a 37-pin port that is the connector to the control panel that I have to job/start/stop/initialize the unit. If there was a way to convert this to a regular parallel port, then I would be all for it, but don't know where to start...
Since this has a 37pin and a serial, I was under the impression that Mach3 wouldn't work.

nwrepair1 - I've contacted precix and referred me to a 3rd party who would do the retrofit to make it a full g-code machine, but it would be over 10k, which is outside of my budget.
I saw on their website that they have G-code drivers available, but only for servo machines, but mine is a stepper (and probably pre G-code era too).

I appreciate all the input and suggestions. Keep em coming!
thanks,
Josh

All you should need is 3 Gecko G201, G202, or G203's, a breakout board and Mach3. Provided you can use the existing power supply. You can then get rid of everything else in there.

is i have a 37 pin connection, as i was on a dos controller and wincnc
(1200.00) was were i went to to get upgraded. i am sure you'll save money and have an up to date system by following gerrys lead jim

Ger- thanks for the recommendation. I thought I could do something like that, but wanted to make sure. I'll start gathering my parts list and will probably just build a complete new controller box and not mess with trying to salvage some of the older parts.

thanks to everyone and I'll be back once I finish the new controller build.. hopefully in a couple of weeks.

thanks again,
Josh

i spoke to him several times and he sells packages to some of the table builders, there are others but i could not get the ad list to work jim

http://candcnc.com/

hwlpful

http://campbelldesigns.net/breakout-board-mach2-3-files.php
jim

If budget keeps you with Mach3 (it is a good system just a large learning curve) then I would go with the Gecko's and a break out from
http://cncbuildingblocks.com/
we use Eds boards and find that there the best on the market as well as having a great price.

Joey

I find this very interesting.

I also have a Precix 9000 that uses HPGL.

I've been looking for a new software package. But of course I'm limited to HPGL friendly software...

Is it possible to keep the existing steppers and run the router off these gecko boards?