5i23+7i48

Hi there,
I just bought two cards (5i23 + 7i48) from "Mesa Europe", to deploy a XYZA + SPINDLE machine. Apparently PnCConf can manage this configuration, because if I choose SVST8_4 fw, set 5 as "number of encoders" , and then, in the next step the dropdown lists let me choose 4 encoders plus the MPG. I can see also that there are GPIO signals, that can use for limits, enable servos ... but in the 7i48 card manual digital signal does not speak about GPIOs... only encoder signals and analog output signals. So then I come a couple of questions that I need to resolve before continue to reading LinuxCNC documentation because the cards take time to arrive and maybe some board need to ask more:

-Can I actually use the GPIOs as PnCConf allows me to select ? (e-stop, enable drives, axis select, etc)
-I will mount it on a big mill industry, But This machine uses 24v as voltage control so if the firt question is OK, I must adapt every signal from 24 to 5v?

For example, in 7i48 manual, the 3rd pin on the P4 connector are fixed to GND, but in the PnCConf there is not the same pin numeration, and regardless of
numeration, if I guess that this P4/3 pin from the 7i48 pdf corresponds to pin 50 of PnCConf, I can choose the pin nº 50 as Z-Axis Enable....

So may be I must purchase some more Mesa board to manage 24v signals?
Note: I did some tests with Classicladder (alone, without LinuxCNC) and VIPA modbus TCP remote terminal units (IM053),
and worked fine, but then may be a pity to miss non used pins on 7i48.

Very thanks in advance

all pins are configurable
only pins such as the motor step or servo and encoders are fixed , if they are not used for these purpose then the become available as GPIO ,

gpio pins can be selected for any function from the list in pncconf ,
pncconf is only a quick way to get you started once a config is made , your better off hand editing the file
but this looses the ability to go back to using pncconf

7i48 gives you 6 channels of Analog for servo & encoders and connects to one 50pin
header by ribbon cable to the 5i23 , the 7i48 does not have gpio , idealy also for example add a a 7i42TA to the other spare 50pin headers to break out the GPIO into screw terminals they are currently not for use on 24v . but as this is usually only for switches etc they can be rewired to 5v

The easiest way to add 24V I/O to a Mesa 50 pin FPGA systemi s probably with one or two 7I37TA's
Each 7I37TA provides 8 outputs (1Amp 0 to 48Volts) and 16 inputs (3 tot 28V)

Note that the 7I48 requires a 6 channel FPGA configurattion (The configuration file name will start with SV6)

hy again,

My machine is a vertical mill who has 3 axis XYZ and 10KW spindle. All axes, including spindle, has it's own TTL encoder,
and the speed signal for all drivers including spindle is +/-10v. I planned to add an additional rotary axis "A" in the near future,
for mill things as plastic screws, used in drink machinery. Thats the reason for select a "six chanel servo/analog board" 7i48.
I must keep the current 24 volt stuff for economy (solenoids, relays, inductive proximity switches, etc)

Once I read your answer, I review mi config. May be the following would be better:
1. I think that need another 7i48 (total = 5i23 + 2x7i48), since in the "I/O connector 2" of 5i23 pncconf only lets me to attach 4 encoders and 4 PWMgens, for example XYZA.
Thus, the spindle encoder and MPG encoder, along with the +/-10v PWMgen for spindle signals, must be obtained from a 2nd 7i48 (that 2nd 7i48 is connected to "I/O connector 3" in the 5i23 )
2. So this lets only the "I/O connector 4" free in the 5i23, and attaching a 7i37TA to brings 16In + 8Out 24vdc capable GPIO.
3. Since this is very few I/O for this kind of machine (it has hydraulic solenoids, signals from auxiliary motors, etc ), may be I could mount all the
digital I/O based on modbus TCP and ClassicLadder feature, and at most leave the single7i37TA for some "fast and critycal" signals, as E-stop, homing, and limits.
4.
Also I reviewed the 7i48 manual and can't understand what you mean when said
"......Note that the 7I48 requires a 6 channel FPGA configurattion (The configuration file name will start with SV6) ........"

Again, very thanks for your fast response.

1. You dont need another 7I48 unless you have more than 6 analog outputs or encoders channels

2. SVST8_4 firmware is not appropriate for a 7I48 (it has the wrong pinout so will not work),
you need firmware that supports 6 PWM channels and 6 encoder channels on one connector
not sure what standard 5i23 bitfiles are provided but SVSS6_8 or SV12IM_2X7I48 are appropriate

3. If you use 7I37TA's. you would be limited to 16 outputs and 32 inputs. If this is OK they should be fine

4. if you need more I/O, instead of the 7I37TA's, I would choose a 7I44 and a couple sserial daughtercards
for example 7I70, 7I71, 7I72, 7I84

Ok, but sould be "SVSS6_8" or "SV12IM_2X7I48" appear on the PnCConf dropdown? I can't see nothing like this for now.
I'm using PnCConf beta 1

Thanks for your quick response

they will only appear if they are installed on your machine in located in
/lib/firmware/hm2/5i23 folder , those mentioned are not installed by default .

if you have the files localy you can copy them to that folder using sudo administrator rights
then they will show up in pncconf
you will need both the bit & xml files for each option

well I followed these steps but there's not neither "SVSS6_8.xml" nor "SV12IM_2X7I48.xml".... I downloaded several 5i23 files from Mesa... only founded sv6_7i49.pin/.bit/.xml and indeed, if copied to /lib/firmware/hm2/5i23 folder, then sv6_7i49 appears on the PnCConf dropdown, because the xml file is present; but only for testing purpouses since my board is not a 7i49....

I've found a SVSS6_8.pin and SVSS6_8.bit on a zip file searching on previous posts, but the xml is missing...

I tryed some other configs SV12, etc, but none of them gave me 5encoder + 5pwm in the first 5i23 connector (4+4 at most).

Note: I need one encoder less since i plan to attach a XHC-HB04 console so i miss a cuadrature counter (6 encoder -> 5 encoder)

Mean that I can use SVSS6_8 or SV12IM_2X7I48 firmwares but without using PnCConf ? If so, where to get the firmware pinout of these fw's?

Very Thanks, Mario.

I have been pretty busy but I can build a bit file for the 5I23 and 7I48 sometime tomorrow

freeby.mesanet.com/5i23_7i48.zip

Has a svst6_6 and svss6_8 configs for the 5I23 with 7I48 on P2

The svss6_8 config is suitable for adding up to 8 sserial daughtercards if needed

also include pinout and xml files