Help choosing the right motion controller for UCCNC + MX4660

[ddurbs21]

I've decided on UCCNC to run my Leadshine MX4660. To begin, I will run a DeWalt router and SuperPID until I get a dedicated 220v outlet, then I will switch to a VFD+Spindle. I will be using a Windows 10 64bit laptop. At first I nearly bought the UC100 USB but after a little more reading it seems the UC300 or UC400 are better choices for only a little more money. Opinions?

Features I plan to use:
3x Home switches
3x Limit switches
Spindle start/stop/speed control
Touch probe (Z/corner find)
Mist/air on/off
Water pump on/off (If I get a water cooled spindle)
Possibly 4th axis (5th motor - my table has slaved 3&4)
Remote control (either Xbox or a proper pendant)

Thank you

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[OlfCNC]

I've decided on UCCNC to run my Leadshine MX4660. To begin, I will run a DeWalt router and SuperPID until I get a dedicated 220v outlet, then I will switch to a VFD+Spindle. I will be using a Windows 10 64bit laptop. At first I nearly bought the UC100 USB but after a little more reading it seems the UC300 or UC400 are better choices for only a little more money. Opinions?

Features I plan to use:
3x Home switches
3x Limit switches
Spindle start/stop/speed control
Touch probe (Z/corner find)
Mist/air on/off
Water pump on/off (If I get a water cooled spindle)
Possibly 4th axis (5th motor - my table has slaved 3&4)
Remote control (either Xbox or a proper pendant)

Thank you

The UC300ETH has much more I/Os than the UC400ETH. It has analog I/Os too. I would get the UC300ETH because the price difference is very little for that many extra I/Os.

[ger21]

If everything is wired to the MX4660, then the UC400ETH is really all you need.
But I also usually recommend the UC300ETH, as it's only $25 more.

[CL_MotoTech]

I am using the UC300eth, I also have a MX3600 and G540 in my controller. It works quite well.

I am on W10. You can easily do all the things you want to do with that setup.

[ddurbs21]

That's 3 votes for the UC300. Does it typically include the ribbon cable to connect to the MX? The websites for these products leave a lot to be desired. I'll probably order from CNC4PC's Amazon store since I need to get a load of things from there anyway.

[ger21]

No cables are included.

[ddurbs21]

Thanks fellas

[ddurbs21]

I sprung for the UC300ETH + 5LPT and so far everything works exactly how it should. I've wired in homing switches and configured them to also act as Limit (-). My Z home (0) is at the top and as it goes down the numbers are in the negatives. I can safely run my Z down to -9.4in with about 0.1in before hard parts touch. I see where to set Safe Z Height but it seems to only accept positive values - entering "-9.4" changes the value to 0. How do I stop my Z from crashing? Obviously I can add another switch, but the home/limit is already set as the Limit (-) and since this maximum is a value less than 0, it wouldn't make sense to me that the new switch could be considered Limit (+).

[ger21]

Set up softlimits for the Z axis, with the MIN at -9.4.
SafeZ in UCCNC is in Work Coordinates, and is only really used with Run From Here, as a safe height above your table.

[ddurbs21]

I see, thank you. I suppose that means I can set the soft limits for the X/Y to zero. I cut my first spoilboard bolt-down holes tonight and I'm really happy. Then I guess I'll need to level and tram. So exciting.

[ddurbs21]

Got everything purring along. Added a homemade Z-probe and modified the M31 macro, added some LED lighting and a bunch of 1/4-20 T-nuts to the underside of the spoilboard. UCCNC has made me have to look hard for some answers, but as I spend more time with it I better understand what it's doing and why it works that way. Next I want to spend some time in the screen editor removing all the things I don't want like CCW spindle control, extra axis DROs, etc.

[ger21]

If you have any questions, just ask here, or at CNC Drives UCCNC forum.