Deckel Retrofit FP4A

Linux can not do ladder, but LinuxCNC can do ladder as it comes with Clasic Ladder included.
What boards do you need?
A combo that can be easily found is
Mesa 7i96S for step/dir and spindle
Mesa 7i83 for analog +-10V
Mesa 7i85 or 7i85S for encoder feedback

For IO, a Mesa 7i84 has 32 inputs and 16 outputs, easy to wire to Mesa 7i96S by cutting a network/LAN cable and using one half of it.
Wiring and combining Mesa boards is easy when you get the right stuff, so this combo is very easy to use:
7i96S to PC with lan cable
7i96S to 7i85 or 7i85S with IDC to DB25 cable, do not forget to order this
7i96S to 7i83 with half LAN cable
7i85 or 7i85S to 7i84 with the other half of LAN cable
Might want to double check this as i am on the phone, sipping coffee.

You do need it as it has the FPGA.
Maybe, Mesa 7i92T can do instead of 7i96S...
So, do check this, but 7i92TM should be possible to plug into 7i85 directly, from 7i85 to 7i83 and 7i84 should go with 2 halfs of LAN cable. Even easier to put together, no IDC-DB25 required, and cheaper, if it is OK as a combo, is it PCW?

RotarySMP wrote:

For my lathe I used 7i92-->7i85 to interface the encoders and smart serial daughter boards (7i84+7i83+7i73).

So this works, thank you for confirming this.
I refrain from suggesting stuff i did not try, despite being fairly sure it works.
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I am aware the 7i97T would be the best option, and 7i77 with any FPGA, but finding those has become "unobtanium" , and the above combo is usually in stock.