Hardware needed to switch from mach 3 6 axis to linuxcnc 9 axis

Rick,

You'll find that there are many ways to accomplish the same thing in LCNC, but what I suggested was a combination of boards that would easily drive 9 separate axis motors, plus an analog 0-10v output for typical spindle control, plus a fair amount of inputs & outputs, plus has 5 high-speed encoder inputs since you mentioned 'closed loop.'

The 7i84 vs 7i84D - boards have the same I/O quantity, but one is for sourcing outputs and the other (D) is for sinking outputs.

The above recommendation is just that - a suggestion of an easy way to get 9 axes.  It was not a cost or space optimized solution, and I strongly discourage you from buying anything at this point.  You need to be in research mode right now.

If you want more specific recommendations, pics of the lathe, plus a detailed description of what additional 'stuff' you want to add would help us help you.  Pics of the existing control electronics (stepper drives, spindle drive, power supplies, etc.) and anything else (control panel) would help.

Make a list of all the inputs, outputs, axes, spindle, whatever.  Identify the voltages, amps, what components you have and will need in the future.

As for loading... are you talking about stock or part blank loading?  Does this hardware currently exist, or are you planning to fabricate some sort of automation mechanism?

-S

 

tommylight wrote:

Mesa 7i96S can do 10 axis just by adding a simple BOB (it can do without BOB, but wiring must be careful).
If you do not need much input/output pins, go for that one, later you can add whatever you might need, like 7i85S or 7i84 or even analog servo drives with 7i83.
 

Hi..thanks for reply....I am not really clear about exactly I will need so this looks like a good start that sets up for anything in future..some of what is foggy at this time is the difference between mach 3 and lcnc...obviously 9 axis are available in lcnc and not mach 3 but also different board is needed to match up  right?...then is BOB an extension of 7i96s? as opposed to mach3 goes to BOB first ,then ESS?...Thanks!!,

Rick

Hi...just so I understand...I get 7i96s...goes from pc to BOB which already has motors wired through drivers..those existing motors can be controlled through linuxcnc? and 5 more could be added from 7i96s board..is that right/

Thanks!!,
Rick

PC to 7i96s
7i96s to BOB through the 7i96s expansion port
7i96s to 5x additional motors through the 7i96s onboard step/dir output terminals
 

Thanks...I am really looking forward to using this...board should arrive this week...have one issue in the meantime...same pc I had xp on for running mach3...installes linuxcnc with debian 12 from website...something makes it restart and I have to re login..hp compaq with 4.96 mb ram 1.8 ghz...250 plus gb disc space...I do not think it happened when I ran as live boot a few times before installing to disc...

Thanks again!!

Auto login is covered in my Debian 12 document at point 19  here
docs.google.com/document/d/1jeV_4VKzVmOI...diY/edit?usp=sharing

So I am at p1 tab in mesa 7i96s trying to set up 2 additional axis ...I think I get pin assignments but not clear which function to use...looks like x BLDC control but not sure what hall vs gray are? Am i in the right place?