How to select Mesa boards for my CNC project.

An MPG can also be used with ordinary hardware encoder inputs, or using any ordinary inputs using a Hal's software encoder interface.
linuxcnc.org/docs/html/man/man9/encoder.9.html

(and yes that does mean analog)

as well you can use the standards of XHC-WB04 axis Mach3 Handheld

there are components that support this MPG if needed
prior is the Amount of rewirering you like to go
there are eays plug and play versins that may fit yur system already
OR as so many Mach3 Upgreaters to Linucnc will get a better performence use the called 7i76e upgread

with the 7i92 you are at the same system that you worked on within 1minute as the WIZARD will change the Mach3 config to a running
linuxcnc config

Thanks for the information and answers!
Sorry to keep asking but even after a lot of reading, I am not confident I am anywhere near having a solid understanding.

I loaded the GMOCAPY lathe GUI and it looks really great. Is it safe to assume that any of the mesa boards will work with any of the GUIs? I think the area that confuses me is for example, I don't see MPG functionality on that GUI, but the boards I am looking are capable of MPGs and I certainly need them.

CHris

I wouldn't suggest a Raspberry Pi for your first linuxCNC installation. It is still a bit experimental. And whilst it is usable you probably will find it no better than Mach3, and with a slower experience than Windows.

Hi Andy,

I have LinuxCNC loaded on an RPI4, I used one of the image files posted in the other thread where they are testing it.

I don't have it connected to anything but the user interface, back plotting etc. all seem to work fine. I assume the mesa card provides the realtime control of the steppers and I/O.

What part is running "Slower" ?

Chris D

If it's fast enough for you, by all means carry on.

You probably need a heat sink and fan, though.