First Gecko setup

[Soundstorm]

I've been reading for quite a while now, and decided that Geckodrive is the way to go for me.
I'm buying a cnc flat bed mill wich is normally equiped with stepper motors and a weird custom controller. I'm goint to buy it without controller or motors and put my own (that I still have to buy) stuff on it. I really want servos and the Geckodrives.

But from what I understand, you can just hook up the Geckos to the parallel port and make it work with Mach3 (for example). But what if I need more than 4 axis? Isn't the parallel port limited to 4 axis?

I then thought of adding a G-rex, so I have 6 axis support and only 1 cable (usb preferred). I also have a bunch of I/O ports I could use. But then I can't use Mach3 anymore, as it only supports parallel port.

So what can I do? Is the G-rex really needed? I think a USB controller is better if I look into the future, Serial/printer ports start to disappear and I'd like to keep using my machine together with an up to date computer.

Thanks

[Mariss Freimanis]

Mach3 has a G-Rex G100 software plug-in. Connection is via Ethernet.

Mariss

[ger21]

You have several options with Mach3. You can use two parallel ports to control 6 axis, you can use a G100 as Mariss mentioned via Ethernet, or you can use an ncPod via USB http://ncpod.oemtech.com/ The Mach3 plugin for the ncPod is almost finished. A Mach3 plugin for PCI Galil cards is also being developed, but I'm not sure how many axis those will support, and they are somewhat expensive.

[bstanton0101]

You can buy PCI card to add a second parallel port. Seems like the lowest cost route.

[mlaws1172]

You won't be sorry buying the Geckos. They are the best value out there and the support is the best you can get at any price.
mike

[Soundstorm]

Thanks guys.
If I would do it with 2 parallel ports, I'd need 2 PCI cards as I don't have any parallel ports on my desktop. But all my PCI slots are either used, or I can't use them because fans block them.
So a USB (or ethernet) connection would be great. And the IO ports on the grex are a plus as well.

I will have a look for the other ones mentioned to see if they suit me better. I didn't know there was a plugin for the grex, because I couldn't find it.
The only difference between the G100 and the G101 is that it's not in a nice case, right? If I'm going to put it (everything) in a nice case myself, I might as well take the G101 and save some money.

And if I'm using 2 servo's on 1 axis, I know I need 2 geckodrives, but can't I just split the wires coming from the G-rex, so 1 output goes to 2 drives? (with or without amplification). That way, I won't lose an axis.

Btw, does geckodrive only sell on their site? Or do they have a dealer somewhere in Europe as well? That would be a lot easier.

[Greolt]

Grex differences PDF

http://www.geckodrive.com/photos/G10...ifferences.pdf