Sense checking my plan for 'moving' from Mach3.

Hi - thanks for taking a look at this.

I'm moderately new to the world of CNC. I have been 3D printing for a while, I built a mpcnc a few years ago which works off marlin and an arduino mega, and have a gbrl mini mill that I use for making milled prototype PCBs.

I have just bought a nearly new chinese 6040 desktop CNC mill. It comes with an old tower PC running windows XP and what is almost certainly a knock off version of Mach3. It is a parallel port interface unit to control the 3 axis of movement and also a VFD for the spindle. I havent opened up the control unit yet to look at what control board is fitted.

I have not used Mach3 before, but rather than learn something that I dont think I will want to stick with I would like to move over to LinuxCNC. 

I wanted to sense check the process with you kind people before I end up getting myself tied up in knots. I have some experience with linux from a few years ago and am competent with running it on raspberry pi's, but this is a little different.

I am planning in the first instance to run linuxcnc on an old lenovo T42 Thinkpad I have (because it has a parallel port). If this is a bad idea please let me know now

I think I need to:

1) download a specific RTOS kernel version of debian that is suitable for the x686 processor line (so 32 bit). Is there a link to this in the downloads section as I couldn't see it specifically only the prebuilt 64 bit versions.

2) install from the linuxcnc image via a USB stick. I can get the T42 to boot from the stick I have into the linuxcnc installer, but I only have the 64 bit version so havent got past this point.

3) configure linuxcnc to run using the settings for running the 6040 that are already in Mach3. I read somewhere in one of my searches that there is an export tool for converting settings on Mach 3, is this correct.

4) connect everything up and have a play, being ready to hit the emergency stop


Are there steps missing? Is the above correct? Anyone have any pointers for me?

Thanks in advance, sorry for the noob question - I feel like things are quite far down the line from the old x686 processors now and perhaps thats why I am getting myself a little confused. The only other machines I have to use in the workshop are small machines like the HP elitedesk but it is going to be very difficult to add parallel support to this from what I understand.

James

linuxcnc is NOT recommended to run on a tablet or laptop. the reason being is the power saving and speed boost features that I believe generally cannot be disabled. linuxcnc requires regular clock cycles for timing, exven more so if you intend to run a parallel port setup (I have never tried that... I always recommend Mesa hardware)

if you are new to linuxcnc just install it from the ISO via USB stick.

linuxcnc.org/downloads/

Thanks - I also have the option of using the desktop tower that is currently running Mach3, but did not want to mess with this until I at least had something working on the T42. It sounds like (providing the desktop is reasonable) that this would be the better option.

I think the downloads in the link you gave are all for 64 bit machines rather than 32 bit, which is where I am coming unstuck at the moment, so wondered if there were 32 bit builds available somewhere on here that I am missing?

www.linuxcnc.org/iso/linuxcnc-2.7.14-wheezy.iso
That is a 32 bit version with LinuxCNC 2.7, i am pretty sure it can be upgraded to 2.8.x, but it is not supported anymore and updates/upgrades do not work out of the box, so a bit of searching can make it update and upgrade to last officially supported packages.
IBM T42 should work nicely, i used and still use some of those with Ubuntu 10.04, so almost 12 years with no updates and no issues ever.
You will have to disable plenty of stuff in the BIOS though and use a 50k to 60k base period.

Personally, i think V2.7 and the underlying Wheezy version of Debian is almost as obsolete as mach3
Look around for a second hand 64 bit PC and use V 2.8. I found a PC  the other day for $120 and the guy even delivered it for me!
But i'm like Robert. I have never used a parallel port.

I cannot see why guys cut things to the bone but still expect rolls Royce performance and reliability.

spend $100 us plus shipping and get a 7i92 or a 7i98 and then be less worried about latency and real time performance

you can the just install from the ISO 2.8.2 and stuff works out of the box.

especially when you are new to linuxcnc.

instead you cut corners to save a few bucks get annoyed and say linuxcnc is impossible and then want to use something else.

forum.cncdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3814#p27089

forum.cncdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3814#p27096

(I was trying to be diplomatic in my reply as it is cncdrives own product forum)

as part of research. try to establish the easiest path, not the cheapest.  once you have mastered Linux and linuxcnc then try the complex stuff that may make it cheaper for you.....

VALUE YOUR TIME! .... you can't make more of it.

it's not about the money or money cost of one's time. it's that time is expensive.... you only have 1 life and you don't know how long it's going to be .... the older you get the more expensive time gets..... use time wisely..... no point in reinventing the wheel..... unless you are short on money and don't value your time.....
TIME is very valuable

using linuxcnc with the parallel port is old hat... like using a classic or vintage car for a daily driver.  sure it can be done.  the brakes will be poor, the handling rubbish and the fuel consumption too... but it'll probably be a cheap buy.  your driving experience will be greatly improved using a more modern daily driver where you can keep pace with the traffic flow.... same with linuxcnc.....  why walk bare foot when there are shoes and easier options.  there is also other hardware solutions too such as 

forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/4442...roller-board?start=0

forum.linuxcnc.org/18-computer/42276-rem...ller-via-spi?start=0

sorry not tried any of those... just Mesa hardware and it works with little learning curve