Encoders

For a s simple step/dir system with linear encoders and mesa hardware, I would use
a 7I96 +7I85 or 7I85S

so the 7i96 is Ethernet, but I dont see a way to interface the 7i85s to that card. forgive me for my ignorance, but how do you physically hood the system up?

So one step pulse is 6um or 0.00025". So that seems unlikely to be the problem. (Assuming no intermediate gearing)

Andy,
the problem that you are referencing is the inaccuracy in the machine? just to make sure I understand. and yes they are direct drive with lovejoy connectors.

natholego11 wrote:

For a s simple step/dir system with linear encoders and mesa hardware, I would use
a 7I96 +7I85 or 7I85S

so the 7i96 is Ethernet, but I dont see a way to interface the 7i85s to that card. forgive me for my ignorance, but how do you physically hood the system up?

The 7i76 is not ethernet so requires a 5i25 or 6i25 But the 7i76e is ethernet.

To connect the 7i85s to the 7i76 or 7i76e is done with cable from one of the ports of the 7i76 etc

photos.app.goo.gl/4uk7hE6X1a8MGhxH7


My bad I read the 7i96 as 7i76 sorry

You connect the 7I85 or 7I85S to the 7I96's parallel expansion connector

You connect the 7I85 or 7I85S to the 7I96's parallel expansion connector

ok so lets say I invest in this and move forward with purchasing all this stuff. my next question is nailing down a wiring diagram of these boards, as the manual that is on Mesa's site isnt the most inuitive. where could I get a good example?

and the next question is once I have everything hooked up, including the encoders, how do I tune the system so it doesnt go all psychopath on me while its trying to stay in the commanded position. ive seen some videos of people using the PID system and the scope that linux comes with, but it all seems foreign to me. any thoughts on that?

The other question is will either of these two boards provide the 0-10v signal I need output for my spindle motor?

No, but you could add an external RC filter on a 7I96 isolated output
or use a fancier board like the 7I76E that has a buillt-in analog spindle
interface

You can also try setting all this up with your parallel ports. This will limit your
maximum speed, but the tuning and scaling issues are basically the same
regardless of what hardware interface you use.

what kind of speeds would I be limited to? im more concerned, right now..., about precision and accuracy. not necessarily speed.

It depends on the resolution of your scales and your base thread period

the one I have now, and planning on getting would be 2um scales. I a not sure about the base thread period. where would I find that?