So I've found this kit: G0704 CNC Conversion kit with Electronics and watched his install videos. The process of installing the ballscrews makes sense to me and seems simple enough. I get that he keeps the cost down by maximizing the use of stock parts (so the stock handwheel bearings) and I like the idea of retaining the handwheels. The mechanical side of the house here seems solid.
My questions are more on the electronics side. The shop computer is running Windows 7 64 bit, and I might maybe upgrade it to Win10. My understanding is that Mach 3 won't work on 64 bit so I'd need to run Mach 4, but Mach 4 is still in development so maybe it won't work with these electronics.
I have the ability to build a dedicated Linux machine to run LinuxCAM, but I don't want to - the shop layout works really well with a single machine, and that is the CAD / CAM station anyway, so it makes a ton of sense to keep it as the CNC controller too.
Can someone comment on the nature of the electronics that come with this package, and how to get a Win7 / Win 10 machine to drive them?
It's been a few days since you posted this question. I think you need to ask the seller for more information about the controller and breakout board he supplies. That will point you toward the correct computer configuration (parallel, usb etc) you need. Then see what software you need for the provided driver and breakout board. If its Mach, then research on the Mach forum or the Mach section on this forum for your answers. Depending on the version of Mach and your breakout board it may not even operate on Windows 7 (XP only) and require a parallel printer port. Time to start reading and researching! You may be better off buying the mechanical conversion parts and then picking your own controller, breakout board, motors, power supply etc to meet your specific computing needs.
G0704 Clone Conversion Questions
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