7i92 cnc motion controller from aliexpress?

I have communicated with the seller, and they replied that the board comes with a pre-installed custom firmware. There is no need to flash the firmware. Once you receive the board, you can simply use PNCconf, enable the advanced options, and directly read the board’s I/O for configuration

Even if that is the case, the firmware sources should be supplied, if in fact the firmware is built from Mesa's sources.
There is also the thing about portraying as a 7i92, which in fact it is not.
I have a feeling that some of these boards are being built from the reverse engineering YouTube user talla83 has done.
However it happens what it comes down to is, do you want a product from a well established company with a well established support network, or some entity that is using some else's IP and with no established history of support, and in fact the original company, Mesa, is supplying the real support.

I've been trying to avoid these useless headbutting exercises, but I feel like some things really need mentioning.
What is also a little ironic is that Mesa will supply schematics when asked, yet I wonder how many of these manufacturers would extend the same courtesy ?

I don't take that negative a view of clone cards, if they get more LinuxCNC users,
that's basically a good thing. They really should supply source however, but there is no legal
requirement that they do, it just seems it would make the card more useful, and its practically
a necessity with card having expansion connectors and thus the common need to make custom
configurations.

Note that you should be able to safely test different firmware by writing it to the fallback location
then loading the FPGA from this location, then if the card doesn't work, a power cycle will fix it:

mesaflash --device cardname --addr 10.10.10.10 --write somebitfile.bit --fallback
mesaflash --device cardname --addr 10.10.10.10 --reload  --fallback


Note that this only works on Xilinx based cards ( I think all clone cards are Xilinx based )
DO NOT try this on Mesa Efinix based cards.
 

PCW wrote:

I don't take that negative a view of clone cards, if they get more LinuxCNC users,
that's basically a good thing. 

Hats off to PCW here. His tireless support to forum users and his client base is exemplary. He really has embraced the Open Source paradigm and I think his Mesa products are stronger because of it.

After 15 years of lunuxcnc software steping I now have a mesa. Every time I've looked into buying one the postage has been the killer. I'm still waiting for the other parts. After I add a wifi usb the old  config I guess can stay as I will only have to change the plug going into the  Geckodrive. VDF control uses VDFmod from the computer USB.Its had a bit of use this year cuting out about 20 foamboard RC planes. Thanks also from me  and to Rod for his AI free help  youtubes.
srl 

SrLange61 wrote:

Thanks also from me  and to Rod for his AI free help  youtubes.
 

You are welcome!
I have sometimes used AI to research the topics but when AI starts quoting my forum posts I know I am on my own!

hi, i interesting order this aliexpress 92 mesa clone board but how this setting, i want first flat cable connections use all output pins to stepper drivers and relays, and second connection must be setting all pins to input pin all limit, home, pendant,probe,ATC, etc. but how this make ? need something software or can linuxcnc change pin configuration new ? and then how wiring optocouplers all pins input, need chematic, what resistors need use and optocouplers and what all need, i think build own opto board input pins, and output connection make cheap paraller port card BOB can use 4-5 motors drivers. basic need cnc 4 motor and if want later build 4th axis lathe addon need 5th motor. but important understand how setting/config all pins new, and what need doing, second if pns has all setting need hardware schematic all input pins how i made this opto input safety own card. i have working cnc machine can carwing PCB to input card. but need shematic and part list what need made safety input card. and can this aliexpress 40$ mesa 7i92 board setting own pin configuration. and can linuxcnc add this all pins and port working. or need write new hall code or ini file code (what i not understand anythink and not know how write codes.