LinuxCNC for low level stepper motor control?

Hello! Original Poster here; just unifying some accounts.

I like the sound of PLC, this particular system type has been recommended to me in another forum where I have posted a topic about a new machine build if you'd like to see it:

www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electroni...ion_aventure_uk.html

I'm glad to hear that two of you specialise in industrial automation, as it is becoming clear that is the nub of what I'm trying to do.
I hope my absence hasn't caused you to lose interest in my project!

I'm starting to learn that the stepper control may be the simplest part, as you have said Wizard. If you read the other thread, you may get some insight into my application.

To Marzetti: That's good to know, but I hope to run the control PC remotely, so that I can check performance and perhaps take video feeds as well.
Does the Ubuntu version LinuxCNC is on support virtual network computing? And does ClassicLadder have the ability to write logs to files and respond to sensor events?

Thanks for all the help so far chaps, I can't believe how I was stumbling around in the dark before I came here asking for guidance!

Oh? Which bits don't make sense?

I'd log into Smecky just to make things easier, but since I changed the email address I haven't been able to log in.

As to the Elvis comment; I am Elvis, I've been trying to figure out industrial automation this whole time!

Edit: Maybe the mod could see I was the same bloke and just deleted Smecky?

Oh my, what a kerfuffle, I'm so sorry; it's just I made Smecky in a bit of a rush before I decided I was tired of being the man with a thousand logins.

You and me both! What a wretched existence that must be.

Zookes wrote:

Hello! Original Poster here; just unifying some accounts.

Or confusing the natives.

I like the sound of PLC, this particular system type has been recommended to me in another forum where I have posted a topic about a new machine build if you'd like to see it:

www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electroni...ion_aventure_uk.html

I don't have time today to read in depth. However it does sound like an Automation task. Do realize there are numerous ways you can go about automating a device. You don't even need to use electricity if you can get into pnuematic logic. No one way is perfect or the absolute best.

Many of us are likely reccomending PLC type control because it seems like good fit for this project, even if the project hadn't been well detailed. It may be advisable to go the commercial PLC route, depending upon you experience and local support. There are many players in the commercial PLC arena, with Allen Bradley, Omron, Automation Direct and others being common brands. An advantage to local vendors of commercial goods is training and networking. Pulling off this project might be easier with professional help.

I'm glad to hear that two of you specialise in industrial automation, as it is becoming clear that is the nub of what I'm trying to do.
I hope my absence hasn't caused you to lose interest in my project!

Without more detail I'm pretty much convinced this is an automation project. However I'm not so certain that LinuxCNC and Classic Ladder are the way to go for a beginner.

As to your project, I'm so busy I just sit down to comment when I can do nothing more constructive.

I'm starting to learn that the stepper control may be the simplest part, as you have said Wizard. If you read the other thread, you may get some insight into my application.

Actually I've gotten no insight at all. I have no idea what you are trying to do and have tried to fill in with best guesses. For example Stepper motor control can be extremely simple or vary involved depending upon your needs. Your needs may also imply that no motors are required at all. The KISS principal often applies in automation

To Marzetti: That's good to know, but I hope to run the control PC remotely, so that I can check performance and perhaps take video feeds as well.
Does the Ubuntu version LinuxCNC is on support virtual network computing? And does ClassicLadder have the ability to write logs to files and respond to sensor events?

One thing to suggest here, logging can be extremely useful in automation systems. Simple logging can be done via the PLC, given a fairly modern implementation, but if you need finer more verbose logging often a different approach can be useful. That is a control system programmed either in a scripting environment like Python or in a more hard core programming language like C++. Just make sure log data is saved in human readable files.

Having worked on a few machines and instruments that have had excellent diagnostics and logging capabilities and many that haven't had such attention I can say the few are far preferred. Disk space is cheap these days typos not so much.

Thanks for all the help so far chaps, I can't believe how I was stumbling around in the dark before I came here asking for guidance!

You still have a ways to go.

wizard69 wrote:

Actually I've gotten no insight at all.

Oh! Sorry. :} I do intend to divulge more as time goes on but I have to appease the paranoid android for now.

wizard69 wrote:

You still have a ways to go.

Don't I know it! Tally ho!

wizard69 wrote:

a control system programmed either in a scripting environment like Python or in a more hard core programming language like C++.

Hmm, a control system? I don't mind doing a little C based stuff here and there, and I like the idea of logging and whatnot; but what would the differences be between PLC and a control system, because if I can get something rough but functional with PLC, that would be grand.

wizard69 wrote:

As to your project, I'm so busy I just sit down to comment when I can do nothing more constructive.

On the contrary, I would consider your comments here highly constructive! Thanks Wizard!

If you take a look on the other thread, you can see that I am being recommended air cylinders in place of steppers and ball-screws.

Perhaps I should post a new topic as things seem to have moved on a bit?

Edit: Hmm, I have been learning more about PLC. Perhaps I can connect to a PLC controller through a common Ethernet router? And monitor it from my workstation that way? Perhaps that's a bit more KISS than having a whole new machine running the automation?

Edit the Second: Holy GUI programming batman!

Wow. It looks... Really intuitive! though classic ladder probably isn't very similar, the more I learn about PLC the more I feel it's the way to go.

Edit the Third:
A more comprehensive view of the project can be found here:
forums.mrplc.com/index.php?showtopic=23069

Well, it looks to me that I was barking up the wrong tree with CNC.
Though I may one day come back to CNC as a manufacturing method, it doesn't seem like the right control system for my particular application.
I'd like to thank you all for setting me on the right path to my current understanding of my project and may you consider this thread dead!

Cheerio,
Zookes.