Can't configure Mesa 7i92

Well if it's anything like the Mach3 Smoothstepper, machine performance usually isn't even relevant. And they do tend to run smoother and more torque due to dead-on accurate step timing.

I like the 7i92 because I'm only running an Ethernet connection to the computer, not a thick, length-limited parallel cable. And a laptop is just as good (5i25 requires a PCI slot). You could probably run it off a Raspberry Pi if you thought you had a reason.

Yep, 7i92 is a bit "bleeding edge" but I got the hang of it. Basic movement is all there. I'm still stuck on how to link 2x gantry axes and the Modbus and wireless MPG link- but those have nothing to do with the 7i92 setup.

Smoothstepper is a buffered motion controller. The computer doesn't have to be realtime to run it.

Linuxcnc needs a realtime connection between the computer and hardware. The external interface hardware like mesa moves the stuff computers don't do well - high speed stepgen, pwmgen, encoder counting and such. You then don't need a base thread - only a servo thread. So 1 to 5khz or so. Latencies can be higher - approaching 100us or more. (mesa has some cool DPLL magic to make jitter have less effect)

sam

Thank you for the clarification. I might go for the 7i92, connected to my existing (parallel port) Controller.

Any thoughts on which .bit should I use for a generic (chinese Yoocnc 3040) controller?

Thanks.

Best thing is to compare your existing pinout (step and dir mainly) with available bit file pinouts

BTW here is a reversed (IO connectors swapped) G540 config for the 7I92

freeby.mesanet.com/7i92_g540x2RD.bit

Debian 9 (Stretch)

Mesa 7i92M FPGA

Download 7i92 firmware from Mesa Elect.

Write /hostmot2/7i92_C11Gx2D.bit

mesaflash --device 7i92 --addr 10.10.10.10 --readhmid
Verified write, ports and pins.

Desktop menu>Applications>CNC>Pncconf Wizard
Page 5 at Mesa Card 0. Configuration Page doesn't have a default 7i92 board and C11Gx2D firmware in populated menu.

freeby.mesanet.com/7i92step.zip
Extracted 7i92step.zip
Placed 7i92.ini and hm2-pidstepper.hal at /home/shawn/linuxcnc/configs

Desktop menu>CNC>LinuxCNC>LinuxCNC Cofiguration Selector Current: 7i92.ini
My Configurations (tree) 7i92 No details available.
Double left click mouse opens AXIS.

Revert Pncconf Wizard and page 5. How does 7i92 board and C11Gx2D firmare get in populated menu? That to configure ports and pins, accept component changes and proceed Wizard.