Computer and software selection question

[Darren_T]

It's been a while since my last post. I have gathered all my mechanical parts but still haven't had a chance to begin the build. Very busy at home these days. Anyway, I got a free PII 500mhz machine. It has Win98 on it but I can change that to whatever needs to be on there. Is this machine going to be too slow? I'll be running Gecko's with my servo motors, will the computer be able to keep up? Should I just build a faster one? Seems a shame to waste a perfectly good machine like this. Is there preferred software for slower machines?

Thanks.

Darren

[dcd121]

Deskcnc for windows.
"Runs smoothly on any system that can comfortably run Windows (95, 98, Me, XP, NT, 2000)".

[Darren_T]

Originally posted by dcd121 Deskcnc for windows. "Runs smoothly on any system that can comfortably run Windows (95, 98, Me, XP, NT, 2000)".

Interesting option, I'm not sure I want something that requires firmware though. I'm looking for a software solution but that is something I'll look into for sure.

Thanks again.

Darren

[yukonho]

Mach2 Mach2 Mach2
Absolutely unbeatable.
co

[balsaman]

Turbocnc will run on a pentium 100 and get you the speeds you need.

Mach 2 will also work but your at the softwares advertized lower limits for system requirements. Having said that it works for me on a Pll 233 and I am running servo's. The pulse train is smooth the the software user interface is a bit of a dog on my machine.

E

[tsalaf]

My PII 500 runs great with Mach2. Mach2 has one of the best user interfaces around, with great performance, and is a real bargain.

Steve

[yukonho]

Sorry, I posted my reply without considering the computer you will be using. Glad someone with the same processor posted that it works fine for them. The free version can not be run at full kernal speed anyway. Honestly I cant see it being much better, I use the free version (I have a 1.4Gig processor) and it is smoooooth, and fast, rapids at 44"/min using 1/4-20 threaded rod for leadscrews.
co

[cnczane]

I've just got my first breakout board/controller/stepper combination functioning, and downloaded TurboCNC 3.1a (dakeng.com) as a quick-and-dirty test of functionality. I intended to get a real app later, but...

It's simple to configure, and understandable.

TurboCNC is DOS-based. (DOS is never getting any older which is to say Microsoft finally stopped issuing "upgrades" which break it... ) )

When TurboCNC fires up, it assesses the hardware to recommend a maximum step rate. Like you, I had an old pc--P133 w/32M RAM & DOS--and on that machine, the maximum step rate was guessed to be 13kHz.

However, with a pulse generator in a friend's lab, I was able to crank the PacSci stepper w/a pulse train up to 48kHz, so I was looking for better performance. If I'm calculating right,
48000pulses/sec*60sec/min/(200steps/rev*8pulses/step)=1800rpm
With 13kHz, I was more like 487 rpm.

I wanted to try it on my 1.9GHz P4 w/1G RAM, but I was loathe to create a DOS partition on it just for the sake of trying.

HERE'S THE GOOD PART (IMO):
I created a DOS boot floppy and easily put TurboCNC on it, so I can carry a CNC control system in my pocket! If my old cpu fails, I can boot on your PII 500MHz and be back in business in the few minutes it takes to reconfigure.

You're dying to know: What did it recommend for the 1.9G P4?
Only 22606.5 Hz... or 847rpm. It seems I may have shot myself in the foot going with an 8-step microstepping controller. With no microsteps--assuming the motor can handle as many steps/sec in full-step mode as micro-step mode, it should be capable of 6780rpm.

It may be that DOS can be tweaked to take advantage of later Pentium architectures, but I'm very pleasantly surprised with the ease with which I got TurboCNC to turn my motor.

[Darren_T]

Lots of great information guys. I'm very excited to get this build underway but the wife says the office needs to be remodeled first Woodworking.... my first passion can become a chore sometimes. I'm hoping to dive in very soon though. I think I'll get the computer up and running ASAP though so I can fiddle with the software here and there.

[ger21]

When TurboCNC fires up, it assesses the hardware to recommend a maximum step rate. Like you, I had an old pc--P133 w/32M RAM & DOS--and on that machine, the maximum step rate was guessed to be 13kHz.

TurboCNC's "guessed" max step right is not necessarily the maximum rate. I've read about some people able to get amost 2X the guessed rate. You need to configure TCNC to the speed you WANT to go and see if it will do it. I believe version 4 will be out soon and be able to go faster, btw.

.

It seems I may have shot myself in the foot going with an 8-step microstepping controller. With no microsteps--assuming the motor can handle as many steps/sec in full-step mode as micro-step mode, it should be capable of 6780rpm.

In a real world situation, the 1/8 step mode will be much more of a benefit than a liability. Your motors will run much smoother than they would at full steps. A lot of people here use Gecko's with 1/10 steps and they don't seem to have any problems. And just because you can supply that many steps, doesn't mean the motor can keep up with a load on it. If the voltage you're supplying isn't high enough, the motor won't be able to keep up at higher rpm's. Because the faster the motor spins, the less torque you have - and it falls off VERY rapidly. Most people here are probably happy with 600-800 rpms.

Last thing, look at the label on your PacSci motor. Mine all say 1500rpm maximum.

Gerry

[ger21]

I forgot, there are some bugs in V3.1. Get 3.24C (I think) from the yahoo group.

Gerry