Retrofit cnc plasma help needed desperately

Ok. delta drives....can they communicate with Linux cnc?

We don’t know your budget and we don’t know how much time/effort you want to put into this. Neither we know what’s easily available for you.

I would scrap the idea of using old DC motors, hook them up with an encoder and then figure out how to control them. I mean if it’s something you want as a hobby project and something you are eager to learn, go for it. If this project has a deadline and you don’t really know what to do, forget it.
As for the drives, this will most likely mean also replacing the motors (if you don’t know what you are doing) and then it might be a pain to find a motor that fits in to the gearbox (or requires minimum to make/buy a suitable adapter flange).

I personally would probably see what is available, what is the budget and what the timeline of the project is. Based on that then find a combo of servo drive, motor and possibly gearboxes.

If you go with new drives then “easiest” is to get something that take analog speed or step dir. Ethercat could be used too but that brings another level of complexity to the project if you have not messed around with it before.

Hi RDA
A very good point, thank you for that and the same way of thinking years ago. Old scrap out new one in, pay and have support.....It never happened as the guy was just to busy and major problems could never been solved. Then the company went bankrupt. Now no support at all and the sheer arrogance of this people (except the mechanics and soft ware guys on ground) is outstanding. The only thing they can say buy an new one and pay as after 4 years this crap is outdated. And then the quality.....see the pictures....says all. Replacement...?? Nope!
I spend 8 years ago 25k EU for the kit without my time and shipping. We made some money cutting our own material but the idea to cut parts for the shops around never happened. So I have a shop machine which is the total overkill and doesn't work properly.
I would have no problem to spend this amount one more time but then I want to have a long time solution which I can not see in this environment.
With Linux cnc I see a long therm solution and the costs of the parts might offset the additional time required.
The most possible way I go now is downgrade everything to the set up as it was before - controls as tommylight did on his Messer machines - with the old motors incl gars still in my shop (original almost brand new) and Hypertherm Powermax 1650.
Fortunately the new gear boxes are standard (Stöber brand) and I adopt them within this 1. Retrofit...negligible problem compared to the other head aces. So it might be not that difficult to find a motor which fits...just in case.
I will also check other solutions as you mentioned and see what I can get.

Hi tommylight
good news.
I have still the original Messer height controls in top condition. There is a small dc motor build in.
Can you show how you fixed a encoder to your height control motors?
Then I could buy the Mesa cards and drives and make complete test set up with all motors on a work bench in order to fiddling around.