USB support for Mach3

[ger21]

Not sure when you'll be able to buy one, but Art has said that the Mach3 plugin to support the new ncPOD should be complete by the end of the month. You'll be able to run Mach3 using USB and no paralel port for about $125. http://ncpod.oemtech.com/ Note that the parallel port will no longer be functional while using the ncPOD. This is the case with any hardware step generator used by Mch3. If you choose to use an ncPOD, Grex, or Galil card, you can't use the parallel port with them.

• USB 2.0 Com Interface
• 6 Axis Step/Direction Output
• 5 General Purpose Outputs
• 1 PWM Output for Spindle Speed Control
• 6 Home Inputs
• 6 General Purpose Inputs
• Status LEDs
• Up to 75000 Steps/Second
• Individual MTA Connectors for each axis (+5v, Gnd, Step, Dir) and Output (Gnd, +5v)
• Small Size (2.75 x 3.00 inches).

Only bad thing is that Art says you can't use MPG's with it.

[Greolt]

I'm predicting this device is going to be a big success for OEMtech when Art gets most or all Mach features running on this.

It will sit very nicely in between Grex and LPT as an option. A lot of advantages to LPT for not much more cost than a BoB.

No more pesky LPT.

I also predict that when it's seen how well this sells that some clever manufacturer will build
a similar board that is designed especially for Mach and will implement Mach features even more tightly.

I have a beta ncPod sitting on my desk in a test rig and am hanging out for Art to get Mach ported to it.

It will be going into my current router build and then another for my benchtop mill as an upgrade.

Watch, You'll be hearing a lot of interested talk about this in the coming weeks.

[bobleecnc]

Hi where can I see a pic of this ncpod ?

[Greolt]

Here is a pic of the one I have

[Switcher]

Originally Posted by Greolt Here is a pic of the one I have

Whats up with memory card?


.

[Greolt]

With the software that comes with it (SDK) the gcode is sent to the SD card
and the code will continue to run even if comunication to the PC is lost.

I don't know if Mach will operate like this. Art will be working toward getting real time control so it remains to be seen.

This stuff is over my head.

I believe it works without the SD card also. (I think???)

Also that is a SD card that I had lying around. It does not come with one.

[Switcher]

Originally Posted by Greolt With the software that comes with it (SDK) the gcode is sent to the SD card and the code will continue to run even if comunication to the PC is lost. I don't know if Mach will operate like this. Art will be working toward getting real time control so it remains to be seen. This stuff is over my head. I believe it works without the SD card also. (I think???) Also that is a SD card that I had lying around. It does not come with one.

Thats cool!

Other than sending the g-code to the Flash Drive, why do you need the USB connection to the PC, couldn't you just load (g-code) onto the Flash card on your PC, then insert the Flash card into the "ncPOD Motion Controller"

Also, since it does have a USB, could you load the g-code file with a USB thumb drive?

I'm thinking that small cnc machines could be built, without the need of a PC to run the g-code on the actual cnc machine, is that correct?












.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Switcher why do you need the USB connection to the PC, couldn't you just load (g-code) onto the Flash card on your PC, then insert the Flash card into the "ncPOD Motion Controller"

I think it's more of a step generator than a motion controller. Mach is still telling it what to do.

[Drew]

I very much like the USB interface. But the I/O is very limited would be ok for router maybe just enough for a mill (no tool changer), no where close to running my lathe.

[Greolt]

Originally Posted by Switcher I'm thinking that small cnc machines could be built, without the need of a PC to run the g-code on the actual cnc machine, is that correct?

That may in fact be possible. Not with mach but with the SDK.

On a single purpose machine that only does one job repeatedly. As a concept it is interesting.

You would have to figure out how to tell it to start the job but the rest is probably already there.

Spose there is all sorts of other issues that would come up. Zeroing? Homing? Feedhold?

[Greolt]

Originally Posted by Drew I very much like the USB interface. But the I/O is very limited would be ok for router maybe just enough for a mill (no tool changer), no where close to running my lathe.

The lack of MPG input is probably a killer for a lot of people.

However 6 outputs and 12 inputs sounds like a lot. I guess you can never have too many.

[Barker806]

Add a PLC and you can have all the IO that you need

I ran the pod for the first time the there day and was happy other then the fact that I can only jog one axis at a time ;(