Martin
For some reason my last several posts haven't shown up on the list
so I am copying you with this as well. From what you have said the
power supply, driver cards and motors all work at this time and although
you may want to replace them some time it shouldn't be required now.
The main problem is the driver cards use direct phase inputs instead of
the standard step, direction and disable. There is a class of cards
that run between $80 to $100 such as the 7I43 from Mesa called Anything
I/O cards that are based on FPGAs It has the ability to use a parallel
port on the computer side to change the signals to drive almost anything
up to 5 volt logic signals. People have used them for enhance stepper
controls and are commonly used as a servo interface. These cards can be
programmed/reprogrammed from the computer to generate almost any
sequence of signals for up to 48 I/O connections which are more than
enough for a 3 Axis mill with all kinds of extra's. This is what I am
planning on using to include things like two additional axis, encoder
feedback spindle speed control etc. So not only could it be programmed
to meet your needs now, it could also be changed at a later date to
interface to whatever driver/motor combos you might choose whether
stepper or servo. The interface to EMC on the computer side is already
done and I am sure your driver side could be completed. The problem is
it will take some logic design. I have the background, you may not, but
if you want to learn and try I am sure people on the list would provide
assistance. It will take time to learn and do it, but like a computer
program it can be modified until you get it right. The one thing you
will want to do is document the signals on the "cpu connector" from a
logic analyzer/oscilloscope viewpoint. Another user suggested using
Halscope part of EMC2. I haven't personally used it (I own an
oscilloscope) so to use it somebody else would need to coach. Since
earlier you mentioned breakout boards etc, this may be close to your
budget range.
Hubert
Martin Pinkston wrote:
> Wow...that was a lot of stuff....
> First of all I have to say that I am really impressed with what some of you
> guys have put on the web as projects.
> Kirk, I went to your web site and you tear into a machine like I tear into a
> locomotive. Your lathe project was impressive. Have you finished it yet ?
> Anyway;
> Each stepper motor has it's own board. And each board has it's own 40V
> supplied to drive the steppers.
> There are actually only 4 wires + a shielded "ground" wire. HOWEVER the
> motors still work just fine if the "ground" wire is not screwed to the back
> of the case. So I have to count that as just 4 wires.
>
> At this point I have to re-think the conversion. Because, I have a couple of
> other priorities that need handled before I invest serious cash into
> re-fitting this mill.
> And at the top of the priority list is building a small machine/work shop in
> my back yard.
> Initially when I considered doing this conversion, I thought it might have
> been a little more doable than it seems to be turning out.
> I don't have any problem with putting in the time (during the winter).
> I do want to learn more about EMC and I would like to attend the
> conference this year.
>
> Here's a thought I had. I'm wondering why I can't replace the computer SW OS
> with EMC?
> In other use Centroids control box, but instead of using Centroids software
> to communicate with the control box through the serial port, use EMC. I know
> it would be like stepping back 20years for Linux, but I wonder if it would
> be possible to decompile Centroid's SW in order to get EMC what it needed to
> get talking to the big black box?
> I mean, the SW is 20+ years old, could it be that difficult ?
> Now, in light of that last question, I first have to say, YES, I'm guessing
> that it would be very for me. I don't know about the rest of you.... ;-}
>
> Just a thought.
> Martin
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