Xylotex

[MagTDK]

I'm ready to order the "4 axis system kit" from Xylotex but before I do, I want to know what I need to get 6 limit switches to work with the board. I thought I read something about needing a breakout board but I have no idea what that is and how its used (don't know crap about electronics).

And can someone suggest some limit switches to buy. Something that's relatively cheap that can be used as limit & home switches. By the way, this is for a wood router that I'm building with Mach3 as the control software.

Thanks

[ger21]

The easiest way to do it would probably be to buy the Mini IO board from here. http://www.candcnc.com/Mini_IO.htm

[MagTDK]

Do you know if this board is pretty much plug and play? From what I read it says it will connect directly with the Xylotex board which sounds easy. And is there some sort of problem with missed pulses? Because this board claims increased reliablity using its buffering mechanism.

Also can you perhaps recommend some switches that will work good with this board.

Thanks

[MagTDK]

Do you think these switches would work fine: http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?...5Fid=26%2D1350

[ger21]

Yes, but normally closed (NC) are usually a better choice.

[MagTDK]

I've noticed some switches have 3 prongs sticking out instead of two, do you know why that is? You can see what I mean by the links below.

Here is a switch that says it's both normally open and normally closed: http://www.instawares.com/Miniature-...YWORD=149-1088

And here is another with 3 prongs instead of two. This doesn't specify if it's either open or closed: http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1883.html

[diecutter]

On these microswitches, the two terminals closest together are marked N (normally open), and NO (normally closed) with the other terminal being the C common. The other type shown has N and NO together and the common terminal on the other side. Both these switches can be wired either normally open or normally closed as your application dictates.

[MagTDK]

Thanks for the explanation. I think I'll by the $2 switches then.

One more question, do any of these switches need external power to work? It's probably a dumb question to ask but like I said, I don't know jack about electronics

[sdantonio]

Hubbard CNC has switches on ebay. A set of 3 switches (enough for 1 axis, you could actually get away with 2 switches per axis is you use one as both a limit and home) is $1.99. These switches are also normally open though. I picked up 6 sets (enough for 2 3-axis machines) for $14 including shipping.

As an alternative breakout board there is the c-10 board from cnc4pc. $25. It supports estop and limits

Steven

[arturod]

I got a couple of boards that have direct connection to the Xylotex or Hobbycnc boards that might want to consider. These boards will not just buffer the signals, but will optically isolate your system from your PC. Check them out at:

http://www.cnc4pc.com/Parallel_Port_Interface_Card.htm

http://www.cnc4pc.com/Multifunction_CNC_Board.htm

Thanks,

Arturo Duncan
http://cnc4pc.com

[sdantonio]

Arturo,

I don't want to hijack the thread and should probably start a parellel thread for this question... but,

I just ordered the C-10 on Friday (in my case I'm using it with Gecko's and the C-10 was specifically recomended for use with them in another thread here). Pins 10 - 16 (I think off the top of my head) are free to use as home, limit and estop switches. Any suggestion for how to hook them up? A diagram would be great if possible. Now that I think about it this is reallyu not hijacking the thread since this kind of a diagram may also be useful to MagTDK too.

[sdantonio]

Arturo,

I hit the send button before I was through writing. This is the diagram that Jerry put together for the gecko's and the C-10 board.