Changing from Mach 3 to Linux

I have had enough of Mach on my lathe ,and I am wanting to change !

I need to figure out what I need to make this happen ,I have a operating system with servo's that is up and running from DMM Tech. for a couple years now.

I have to many problems with Mach and threading and lot's of other crazy things from time to time ,my B/O is dependent so I can not change it and all I have for threading is a single impulse for threading .

I would like to add a encoder for the signal so I would need two parallel ports and a separate board for the encoder signal.

I see there are some pc boards from Mesa Elec. but I am not sure what to buy ,I wrote to them and never got an answer back.

If some one could offer some suggestions for me too look at so I can finally get rid of Mach I would appreciate it .

Thank You

Not knowing a lot of details about your set up. You can hardly go wrong with Mesa's 5i25. Using it either by it's self as 2 parallel ports on steroids, or with it's very useful daughter cards, depending on your needs.

5i25 + 7i77 if you your drives can accept analog signals, this is my recomendation. It have also a lot of I/O (maybe not enough if you want a full button interface, but extending it is easy and the hardware exists).
I am using it on a lathe, and it have nothing compared with Mach3. It is harder to configure, but once made is made.

Please also consider the boards from Pico systems. Both Mesa hardware and Pico, have support here. "Unfortunately" I only know Mesa hardware.

probably you can do the work with only one LPT port,
for a lathe you have 2 axis an you have a single pulse signa from spindlel, for the encoder you need only 3 pins ,one ise the one you actually use for pulse input the other 2 should be the pins normally used for the 3rd axis that isn't used on lathe.
you can connect an encoder directly to the lLPT port ,only a +5v power sorce is needed ,you should also use a +5v from your pc

lelef wrote:

probably you can do the work with only one LPT port,
for a lathe you have 2 axis an you have a single pulse signa from spindlel, for the encoder you need only 3 pins ,one ise the one you actually use for pulse input the other 2 should be the pins normally used for the 3rd axis that isn't used on lathe.
you can connect an encoder directly to the lLPT port ,only a +5v power sorce is needed ,you should also use a +5v from your pc

With servos, go for a full closed loop. No more guessing if steps were lost.
Even with the servos off, you can move the axis and see the DRO changing. This is way better, and worth the money spent. My opinion.

that is right, but if he want to test the lathe threading with linuxcnc just connecting the encoder is the cheapest way

Hi ,everyone and thanks for all the reply's ,I am not use to getting this much help! it is wonderful !! .

The servo system I have uses step and direction signals not 10 volt + - I was new when I first put this together and I would do different now .

They do offer a new drive, analog now( 10 volt + - ) and I may change in the future but the cost is very hi , so I have to work with what I have .

I am going to try the exiting board method first just to get going , and order a Mesa board will it need a daughter board for the Encoder ?

Can someone give a recommendation for a encoder that works well ? with Linux Cnc .

Thank You for Your help

Since the DMM tech servos don't use ordinary encoders. It's probably best to just stick with step dir. Either use a 7i76, or just the bare 5i25 with your current breakout board(s).