ESP32/S2/S3 LinuxCNC Controller (6 axis hardware step gen), USB plug-and-play

Yeah well, people continue to screw around with under powered micro controllers that can't actually do the thing that's needed, run EMC headless. ESP32 while a nice toy micro for small control tasks lack real resources to actually control machine tools. The micro costing $2 or 25$ is really irrelevant at the board level, If the total cost of the board is $50 " for something that can't actually run a headless EMC install, versus something that is headless and runs a fully featured version of EMC for $200, the cost difference is trivial in a machine costing thousands as a entry point. Even cheap hobby used hardware is thousands of dollars. I have no idea why this incessant need to reduce cost is so prevalent in this community. You want to increase Linuxcnc adoption and investment, make it easier to build a machine, not harder. CNC machines are not cheap, even cheap 3d printers are not cheap. The community does not need yet another slave style control card. We need a real controller running a headless EMC install, if that's a $10 arm MCU or a $2 mcu on a dedicated card for $25 or $200 then so be it. This isn't helping the community grow in a meaningful way, it's not really helping end users, unless of course the game is to impede entry into the area by making the hardware and software difficult to use.

As for snide remarks, maybe you should try reading your own tripe before criticizing someone else's commentary.

wez wrote:

Try finding a 2$ MCU IC that is 240mhz, dual core, has the peripherals, WiFi and a very well sized open source community surrounding it thats well documented with long term proven supply commitments....
 

True that +1. I'd like to think that their SDK(s?) are far more active, globally (oss), not tied to export regulations, NDAs and other endless bureaucracy. Let alone the fact that they are neutral, in the sense that they ain't dictated nor operated by a cult of unstable butthurt political delusionals. Business is business for espressif - neutrality is paramount importance for product lines, accounts and suppliers going forward (lesson learnt for many).

On a separate note; be pleased to know that the official P4 availability rollout date is 1st June 2024. That's right, you heard it first (Source: Shao Yu, Account Manager | Espressif Systems, SG). Plan ahead, we look forward. 

I don't disagree with the cost aspects, and running EMC headless would be nice but I don't think coming into another topic that's specifically discussing a certain MCU and its features and benefits vs cost and then mentioning another one and a different approach is respectful - I was not disrespectful to you nor anyone prior to that - you came here and questioned motives and efforts first and have just done so again.

Each to their own.

Take a look at Remora project - that's serving the community and project well. This should hopefully do the same.

If you want an all singing and dancing flagship commercial grade solution then go ahead and build it yourself - but it's not easy, you admitted yourself you don't have the time, it takes a level of commitment that I don't think most will do so.

How is it not helping end users? Have you read what I wrote at the start of the topic - easy to setup, decent performance, reliability, low cost?

Mecanix - that's awesome news - thank you for the info!!

Yep you're absolutely right their SDK and tools are very commonly adopted globally in so many projects now. My experiences too they do appear to operate without political influence, succinctly put: it's just business.
 

Pretty exciting indeed. Should be a walk in the park for you to ramp this project up from 40 to 100kHz, and potentially add the missing two axis in the lot (6ax). Can't wait to see what you'll do with it... should be fun.

edit. oh hang on, just saw your thread title flashing **(6 axis hardware step gen)**. geez...

Yeah the S3 can do 6 axis but restricted to 200khz total pulse gen.
I have confirmed that. Does remarkedly well for what it is and most use-cases.

Full closed loop encoders for 6 axis at 400khz+ (poss more) pulse gen that would be nice. I think it might be in the realms of possibility. Gone are the days of "cheap" being seen as sub-par