LinuxCNC communicate Via SERIAL Port to existing hardware?

I was planning to gut a Techno CPM 3020 and save only the servos but with a little experimenting yesterday, I was able to get the machine to work with the demo version of the original software (Galaad Kay). Support at Galaad seems to be so so and I'd rather use LinuxCNC if it's practical.

Would LinuxCNC have the ability to replace the original software? It seems all the existing hardware is in good working order so I hate to pitch it.

serial will not work with LinuxCNC.

www.cnczone.com/forums/mach-mill/362276-...3020-conversion.html

There’s no rt serial port driver, Andy mentioned this a week or 2 ago. I think he may of mentioned it could be a good idea, but of course it would have to be a hardware port not a USB one.

 

That is an isel IMC4 controller board which has the motor drives integrated. If you want to use LinuxCNC you would have to replace this with standalone motor drives and some simple break out board. What kind of motors does the machine use (likely steppers but maybe DC)?

I was able to find a German forum with a description of the IMC4 controller. And... I will likely be ditching this board unless Galaad will be able to replace the missing software which was included with the machine. It works fine, but likely could replace with LinuxCNC for a little more than the license for Galaad Kay and end up with a better machine.

Here's the description of the circuitry (Google translated from German from this link www.mikrocontroller.net/topic/367459):

Hello everyone, I have an Isel CPM 2018 at home, but since the control board is defective, I traced it in Eagle to understand how it works. If you look at the circuit diagram, you can also understand why the machine can only do 2.5D: Y and A as well as X and Z are on the same BUS. A quick note on the function of the control: The output stages are two L292s, each with four MUR120s and two 0.22R shunt resistors per axis. They are controlled by a TLE2064P as a comparator and summing amplifier, which receives its reference voltage from a TL431. The control is handled by a TLC7528, which receives its data from the big Intel N80C196KC via the BUS. The buffers for the limit switches and the output drivers for the digital outputs are also connected to the BUS. There are also two AMD AM29F010P flash memories on the board, as well as a Lattice ispLSI 2032. The power supply for the OPVs is a RECOM RB-0512D, which converts the 5V generated by an LM317 into +/- 12V. Attached is the Eagle File consisting of a circuit diagram and board, as well as some pictures of the ISP connection of the Lattice CPU, the pin assignment of the Intel header and the wiring on and on the control board. The thin red lines are jumper wires that are soldered onto the board. Attention! I have only drawn the board, which is why I cannot guarantee its correctness! The IMC4 board is installed in the following machines: CPM2018/CPM3020/CPM4030/GFM2244/WDT2018 I will read out the Lattice program at the next opportunity and submit it later. Unfortunately, I no longer have the two AMD ICs, which is why I cannot post the program. I hope I was able to help someone with my layout.

This user on the German forum link above also had a zip folder with Eagle data for the PCB and a little more. Too big for attaching here but useful. Here's a png of the board and some of the wiring. It looks like the PSU could be re-used. At least 24VDC from their power section (rectified and smoothed) and perhaps some of the AC xfrmr taps could be used and dealt with as needed.

 

it's not worth the effort,
3 TB6600 (10Euro)
1 China-BOB (10Euro)
1 old PC with parport (0Euro)

i think the prices are comparable to the dollar prices

so under 50$ if you can use the old PSU.


3x www.amazon.de/COVVY-Schrittmotor-Treiber...er%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5
1x www.amazon.de/DollaTek-5-Achsen-CNC-Brea...k%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-21


EDIT: sorry, are these really stepper motors ?
EDIT2: instructions say yes