While LinuxCNC does seem like overkill for such a simple CNC project, it
would still be my first choice.
It's inexpensive and easy to toss together a LinuxCNC control system,
and this minimal system will be even simpler than most.
LinuxCNC offers a lot of potential for expansion if that should be
required later. It probably seems that there would never be a need to
expand the surface grinder controls, but most systems that are in use
tend toward greater complexity over time. What about controlling a
coolant pump? What about a magnetic chuck? It might be good to verify
that the chuck is securing the part the entire time the program is
operating. What about over travel limit switches?
LinuxCNC will be supported until the entropic heat death of the
universe, and LinuxCNC uses standard, modular, interchangeable
off-the-shelf hardware components, so a LinuxCNC based system will never
be stuck with a dead proprietary control system. Once converted to
LinuxCNC, machines are much easier and less expensive to maintain
because there are no discontinued proprietary parts.
Not many shops have a surface grinder and nothing else. I like the idea
of using LinuxCNC for all of the CNC machine tools. Supporting a full
shop of CNC machinery becomes a lot simpler when they all use the same
CNC software and common control electronics design practices. Whether
designing and building machines from scratch or converting manual
machines or old CNC machines with good iron and dead controls, I greatly
prefer to install my own LinuxCNC control systems.
On 11/19/18 10:38 PM, Tom Easterday wrote:
A friend is fixing up a 70s vintage surface grinder that has a ball screw on the
vertical axis and a non functioning drive. He wants to replace what is there with
a servo motor and driver and have a simple control that lets him select several
ranges, say 100, .010, .001, .0001 & .00005 increments to move the spindle.
He asked what motor, driver, and control to use. My experience with servos is
pretty limited, I’ve built one gantry machine with them. We used Kelling
servos, CUI encoders, Granite Devices drivers and Mesa cards with Linuxcnc. A
full Linuxcnc controller seems like overkill though to control a single axis in
fixed increments but I am not sure what other options there are. I am curious
what folks here would recommend for this application?
-Tom
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