retrofit Bridgeport Prototrak Plus

Matt, many thanks! You have helped a great deal. With all there is to pick from, I am wondering if the touchy or keystick require less memory or have certain advantages? Seeing them side by side I will need to study each screen, for an idea of how each requires you to get around.

Edit: If I have read the comment correctly, OpenGL is only required for Axis. If that is true I would like a screen with DRO (so when using the mill in full manual operation there is a screen with a large font so it can be easily be seen from distance) and don't really need graphics of the cutting simulation process.



Thanks
Chris

Should I be able to use the tklinuxcnc to test, as per Todd's comment:

Once you have a basic config, set up for Linuxcnc, the first thing you want to do is test the encoders. I'd suggest leaving the amps disconnected at this point. Once you have the encoders working (turning the motor moves the DRO in Linuxcnc). Then you are ready to try the amps. You could enable the amp and apply a small voltage with a battery (think AA or C battery), see if the motor turns. This might give a clue how you should connect the analog wires to the 7i77. Then you are ready to test the amp connected. Be prepared for a runaway (the odds of it happening is at least 50/50).

I currently have the system set up, ready to power up (at the appropriate time).


Many thanks

Yes, you can use and run a machine perfectly well with most any of the interfaces. It just might not be as pretty to look at.

I started with a fresh download, used axis.ini as the config template to get to the screen you see in the attached screenshot. Am I correct to get the config file as close to the machine I have, prior to starting the final edited config file or do I edit this config file? I am thinking that I should get the DRO to read and a few other tests soon.

many thanks!

I'm not sure that it matters much. Just do what your most comfortable with and what you can make work. The first machine I set up I started with one of the sample stepper machine configs, copied all the files to a new folder, then modified and renamed some of the files. It worked fine.
I don't even think you have to move, make, or rename directories, if you don't want to. The config files for different configurations can happily live together in a single directory. But it is often simpler to keep them separated for human eyes.
There are example config files here for the Mesa cards you are using.
freeby.mesanet.com/7i77.zip
You could also try to generate a set of config files using the Pnconf Wizard. (A program used for automating the creation of configurations for Mesa Card machines.

This is the most recent error message I get. When I used the Pncconf Wizard I tried the mill option, and found no way around the request seeking the 3nd axes info, could not save and close any other way, so I used the lathe (seeking only 2 inputs made sense to me at the time) and seemed to finally allow a save and close. The DRO has not worked yet, but making head way.

many thanks!

JT Having some small issues coping file as you suggest, please help me out, what program works best. It seems the file won't save, as for this forum to be able to upload.

Just copy and paste the text by clicking on the select all button at the bottom of the window, then press Ctrl+c to copy to the clipboard (do not close the error window until after you paste the text or the clipboard info will be lost) Then open a text editor and press Ctrl+v to paste the text and save it, or paste it into your message on the forum like JT suggested.