Hardware/Software Interface Standards??

[rlincolnh]

Hi All,

I'm new to the CNC scene, so I'm looking for a couple of quick direction pointers to interface standards. I guess that ultimately the hardware gets down to the step/direction level, but is there a higher-level (i.e. more complex) hardware interface in common use? Are there serial (e.g. RS232) software interface standards between the CNC s/ware and the controllers? Etc, etc... - just a few pointers to documents would be great.

Thanks,

Roger


PS I'm a 60+ electronics engineer getting a workshop together for my (sometime!) retirement.

[PW2008]

Hello,
I'm also new to CNC, and to forums, and I have a similar question to yours.

1) The cheapest CNC control systems use the computer to output the step and direction signals to all axes, usually via the printer port. This means that the computer has a lot of work to do just controlling the motors.

2) The expensive CNC control systems have hardware between the computer and the step/direction inputs. In the case of FLASHCUT (http://www.flashcutcnc.com/), the hardware is called a signal generator and it accepts G-code from the serial port.

I would like to know if there is any hardware that goes between the computer and the step/direction inputs, to improve on (1) above but a lot cheaper than (2). And preferably not limited to one piece of software.

I have in mind something like:

http://kellyware.com/anonymous/MaxSt...anual%20v3.pdf

Can anyone recommend MaxStepper or anything else.

Roger, hope this helps you also.

Thanks, Peter

[ger21]

Originally Posted by PW2008 I would like to know if there is any hardware that goes between the computer and the step/direction inputs, to improve on (1) above but a lot cheaper than (2). And preferably not limited to one piece of software.

Since there really is no standard, you're pretty much out of luck on #2, unless you want to write your own software.

There are a few inexpensive options.

http://ncpod.oemtech.com/

http://www.warp9td.com/

Both work with Mach3, with the SmoothStepper being the most popular by far. Both are technically still in beta. Development for the ncPod with Mach3 seems to have stopped over a year ago, while the Smoothstepper is actively being worked on.

There are some other more expensive options for Mach3. Plugins for the devices are listed here.
http://www.machsupport.com/plugins.php

Another option is http://www.usbcnc.com/

And there are also some options for use with EMC, but I really don't know anything about them.

[PW2008]

Thanks ger21.

A nice selection, especially the SmoothStepper. When I need one they may be past the beta stage.

Regard, Peter.

[hesham morsy]

Cnc Brain
http://www.safeguardrobotics.com/def...x?tab=cncbrain
affordable, Windows based, 6-axis Double Closed-Loop CNC controller. This device is literally a "brain" for your CNC machine. It acts as the focal point for incoming data and outbound control signals. It constantly corrects and adjusts your machine while carrying out G-Code instructions.
video
http://www.safeguardrobotics.com/def...subtab=gallery

[Al_The_Man]

Where is the video of it running your machine?
Al.

[hesham morsy]

Where is the video of it running your machine????

[Al_The_Man]

I wasn't the one Pushing it
BTW there is a huge posting on it here and also a new forum just for it.
Al.

[alrassoul]

Hi, If I have wall understood your question, the answer is as follows :
First you gonna use a good softq=waresay mach3 easily downladable here: http://www.machsupprt.com.
Where you may find extensive know how : see and listen and don't speak at al0 antil finishedl.
for the hardware part , you have to know that mach3 for example anput and ouput signals through // pc port via certain pins .these signals have to feed a step motor drivers like L297, L298 , or integro circuis SLAXXXX to drive the required stepmotors !

[PW2008]

Thanks, hesham morsy

A bit pricey for me, but I like what I've seen and my boss should like it.

Pete.