Mach3 machine, some questions.

Hello,

I am hesitant to start, so I ask some questions instead. (some might feel rhetorical)

My Mach 3 machine works basically. Two things I am not happy with. a) missing hand wheel for jogging b) the rotary table c-axis that is mounted can only be moved, using a-axis. (did not find a way to change a-axis to c-axis.)
If I convert it to Linux I can fix those two things.
It is a x-y-z mill with open loop stepper system. A rotary table is fittet (could be a or c) 

Questions:

• Leave the running Mach3 alone?
• If I go for it:
  • Just rip it all apart and start from scratch? Or leave it "Frankenstein" with parallelport?
  • The old (still working) stepper drivers did not come with documentation and they use a ribbon cable for the signals. (so I do not really know what input pin is for what) Just throw them in the trash and use new DM860H drivers? (they are fairly cheap)
  • The old machine has a big toroidal transformer with one PCB (I think that is the rectifier). The wires are labled 60V. Keep it or replace it with a new switching power supply?

Greetings Timo

 

That is settled then , the machine will get a Linux.

For installation I will just use a fresh SSD and install it properly, no point in messing with the live boot. The latency test is soso on the machine, but I think will do. ( I

What about the other questions?

As fate has it the driver for the y-axis released the magic smoke just when I tried to home the bloody thing. not the first driver that dies, (not sure why they do this)

Your toroid power supply is worth keeping. Assuming its 60v AC you can use a AC rated stepper drive. The Lam Technologies DS1076A is one such drive and arguably the best out there,. www.lamtechnologies.com/Product.aspx?lng=EN&idp=DS1076A
In fhe docs, there is an example of using a MPG with a parallel port. Some Mesa cards have dedicated MPG inputs, some need you to give up ome inputs to activate, but you can add additional I/O via a daughter card.

I started ripping the electric apart yesterday. (damaged driver and Tommy tipped it)

• I do not really have any documentation for the brake out board and I wasted too much time with that thing already (fed up with it).
• One of the old stepper drivers is toast, considering how much the replacement costs it is not worth trying to investigate the pinout of a ribbon cable.
• Mesa 6i25 with a 7i76 plug and go kit is the way out. (in hindsight probably would have choosen one of the alternatives with network cable connection )

Plan for now:

• strip entire electric
• probably set the system up on the workbench to get the control running without mechanics.
• give the machine a (very) rough clean up. (if some motivation kicks in)
• See if I should replace the electric cabinet.