Raspberry pi 4 CNC lathe conversion?

Hi!

I've tried searching around on this topic but since I'm such a beginner with linux and CNC controls I'm having a lot of problems understanding what I'm finding.

I have CNC-converted a milling machine before but that was with a big stationary PC and Windows/Mach3.

What I want to try is using a Raspberry pi 4 to convert a manual lathe to CNC, partly because I've heard that linuxcnc is more reliable and because the raspberry is both small and cheap.

I assume the pi cannot directly interface to the stepper motor drivers so I probably need an interface there?

I can easily get a hold of something like a UC300ETH card, would this work with a pi4/linuxcnc?

For threading I would need to keep track of the spindle, how is this generally done on?

I'm just a happy hobbyist so talk to me like I'm 5.

Thanks for any help!

I used a 7i96 on my manual lathe conversion.
forum.linuxcnc.org/26-turning/38280-pimping-the-mini-lathe
If you dont need too much I/O, this is probably plenty for a lathe.
Mark

Thanks for the quick replies!

I went ahead and ordered a 7i96.
Any recommendations what kind of encoder I need/should get?

Love your videos btw RotarySMP.
I'll read through your thread and see what stuff I can pick up!

Edit: About encoder, would for example something like this work with the 7i96?
www.electrokit.com/en/product/rotary-enc...r-quadrature-output/

Thanks. That encoder will work fine. I have a similar one, but with only 100ppr resolution, as I bought it before I got the 7i96, and expected to be limited to the max sampling frequency of the parallel port (~40KHz).The 7i96 manual lists it as supporting a max sampling frequency of 10MHz.
Mark.

If you like differential output from the encoder then E6B2-CWZ1X is an option. The one you link to work in single-ended mode and that works fine too. It's a jumper setting on the 7i96.
Number of pulses per revolution is not so important, anything from say a few 10ths ppr and up will work. There must be an index pulse.

Combine with a touch screen.