Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?


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Thread: Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?

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    Default Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?

    Hello, years ago I bought a deepgroove1 Taig cnc kit (Taig cnc, Gecko g540 drivers) then promptly moved overseas before ever assembling it. I finally got around to having it shipped to me but I don't have access to a parallel port pc so I'm weighing my options. I'm very early in the learning phase, and a lot of the lingo looks like a foreign language to me. My cnc machine arrives at my freight forwarder tomorrow then will be sent to me. I'm hoping to figure out how to get it hooked to a pc/laptop asap so I can buy any parts needed to have them shipped to me along with the machine since its a 2-3month wait for shipping.

    I've been recommended the UC100 with UCCNC software. This looks good, and the price is right. Am I right in thinking I can just plug this into the Gecko g540 and computer and be up and running or do I need anything additional like "breakout boards", etc?

    Others have recommended going with an ethernet controller, which I am considering. One I see is the UC300ETH.

    I'm curious what all I will need to get these setups working. For example it looks like the UC300ETH needs a motherboard in addition to the controller. I keep seeing mentions of "breakout boards", is this something else I will need?

    Being a complete novice I'm leaning towards ease of installation over added features. The UC100 looks like it might be easier to setup? The appeal of the ethernet controller for me is it being isolated so less chance of me frying something.

    Any advice that can be offered would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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    Default Re: Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?

    An ethernet controller is a better option than USB. You can get a cable to plug the G540 directly into the UC300ETH. But I think the UC300ETH will be overkill for your application. A UC400ETH would probably be a better choice.
    The G540 has terminals for the additional input and output pins, so you don't need a breakout board. But if you want to use the additional ports on the UC300 or UC400, then you'd need a breakout board for those.
    And while UCCNC is my preference, you can also run Mach3 or Mach4 with these controllers.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default Re: Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    An ethernet controller is a better option than USB. You can get a cable to plug the G540 directly into the UC300ETH. But I think the UC300ETH will be overkill for your application. A UC400ETH would probably be a better choice.
    The G540 has terminals for the additional input and output pins, so you don't need a breakout board. But if you want to use the additional ports on the UC300 or UC400, then you'd need a breakout board for those.
    And while UCCNC is my preference, you can also run Mach3 or Mach4 with these controllers.
    I've been reading good things about UCCNC and since its cheaper, with continued support, I'll likely go that route.

    Just to make sure I'm not forgetting any parts...I have the complete cnc with motors, mounts, cables, Gecko g540, etc...I should be set there. But to hook from the Gecko g540 to the laptop I'll need the UC400ETH, a cable connecting the UC400ETH to the g540, and an ethernet cord. Is this all I'll need? I'm having visions of not realizing I needed a $5 part or some such then having to wait weeks more for it to arrive here.

    Btw I've been doing hours of reading this weekend trying to get a basic enough understanding of things to be able to ask coherent questions lol....many of the past threads I've read you have replied to and its helped clear things up quite a bit for me. Thank you very much.



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    Default Re: Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?

    If you are using a laptop, you might want to get some type of box to mount the UC400ETH in.
    And I think the UC400ETH requires a 12V or 24V power supply. Check the manual.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?

Controller recommendations for a Gecko g540 Taig mill?