Controller Code Snippets

[jhwatts]

I am currently CNC retro fitting my mill. I will be writing my own controller software and I leaning towards using the stepper world FET3/Cruiser http://www.stepperworld.com/ . Has any one ever written any code to control this particular hardware (In some flavor of BASIC I hope)? If someone has can you give me any pointers? I would like to know if it uses a .dll to communicate or can I simply use a com port address.

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by jhwatts I am currently CNC retro fitting my mill. I will be writing my own controller software and I leaning towards using the stepper world FET3/Cruiser http://www.stepperworld.com/ . Has any one ever written any code to control this particular hardware (In some flavor of BASIC I hope)? If someone has can you give me any pointers? I would like to know if it uses a .dll to communicate or can I simply use a com port address.

Well, I am not a fan of the stepper driver at all, you would be much better off with either HobbyCNC or Xylotex.

There is already several CNC Control applications to control that board and many others. The type of control is called "Step and Direction" control of the driver board. From the computer you are providing a step pulse signal, in other words if you want the stepper to move one step, you pulse it one time. Then you also provide it with a direction signal, high or low voltage signal to differentiate between CW and CCW rotation.

As the frequency of these pulses (the step pulses) will have to be pretty darn high, you are not going to have much success using a serial (Com) port. Rather, most other software uses the parallel port (printer port).

Writing the control software is going to be a long and difficult process, especially in Windows - it is almost as if it is designed to defeat what you are trying to do.

Chris

[jhwatts]

Chris

I have not committed any hardware purchases yet. I have basically have the mini mill made by grizzly. I bought a larger table and made a base to set it on. I bought my z axis lead screw on Friday. I am beginning to get the willies this is starting to get more complicated, difficult and more expensive, than I thought. I am over half way committed now so I would like to finish it. I am open to suggestions as far as hardware but my funds are beginning to run low. So I am looking for Champaign on a beer budget. I would like to find a package that has motors, controller board and some type of generic PC based controller. I could make my own controller software if I had too and I like the idea of having the idea of modifying the controller. If anyone has any good suggestions on what to by please let me know. I would like to have a kit that includes hardware, brackets, motors, etc.

[Chris D]

One of the best values for steppers and controller is at

www.hobbycnc.com

Chris