Mitsubishi MR-J3-XX"A" drive + 7i94 config?

yes, MR-J3 amps will run HC-KFS motors. you'll need to set the parameter
PC04=0100
if drive/motor sizes don't match (alarm 1A), set PA19=ABCD, power-cycle the amp, set PH18=1, power-cycle again.
HG-KR should also work. although they are from the next MR-J4 generation, their encoders emulate older OBA18 and provide motor constants to the drive

Looks like I'll have to swap to the 7i96 board that I have, but I think I can still get this done.

How much of the command/control/status information can I get back over RS422? It would really save a lot of wiring to only send step/direction and RS422, vs all the various control/status wiring that's on CN1.

none. forget the rs422.
ok, you probably can read something out of it with a userspace comp with a limited frequency.. e.g. a torque feedback comes to mind. but i can't imagine anything else. doesn't worth the trouble, imho,

you'll need at least servo-on, step, direction outputs wired to CN1. alarm input is a must. utilizing absolute encoders require 2 more inputs and 3 outputs...

sscnet is so much more convenient...

It is. I just bought some MR-J3-70B drives, for 29$ per drive, so I guess I'll have to get one of your cards next. Do you have an ethernet driven version? Or just the PCI version?

I hooked up one of the -A copper drives today in step/direction mode, and honestly it isn't that bad to hook up and it worked perfectly, but if I go with the SSCNET system, I can implement more drives without having to add more cables, just extending the fibre interface.

Eventually I'd like to have the tool changer on the SSCNET link as well, and that would be another 200W servo or two.

ethernet - i've finished the hardware, but still working on software...

 

Awesome. I figure by the time you have a good stable software, I might have a Y axis to hook up. I have to get the wire wheel into the column of the Z axis today and un-rustify it, so I can add in the new stiffeners and get it ready for heat treatment.

(I did kinda start this mess in 2020, and it's now 2026...)

EDIT: What's the X2 connector on the back side of the board for? And is this ethernet card a combo copper/fibre interface? Just looking at what the latching connector at the bottom of the top side, and that it looks like CN1 on some of the MR-J2 drives.