7i96S - 2 MPG wheels

Hi all,

I was contemplating using a MESA 7i96S for my CNC lathe conversion.

I plan to have two servos connected as well as a servo for the spindle.
I would like to run the two axes with 2 MPG wheels and was wondering if there is a way to make that work with this card (MESA 7i96S) or if I need to opt in the end for the MESA 7i76E.

Cheers

Moved to Driver Boards

JT

The 7I96s with default firmware supports up to 4 MPGs using isolated inputs 0..7

 I suggest this route, if you need those inputs. The footprint of both 7i96s+7i73 is real close to the 7i76e. For $50 you get 4 mpg, lcd and keyboard. They are a nice compliment to any mesa platform.

Excellent - the 7i73 looks really neat.

Now i was just wondering if the 7i96s can support control the spindle motor with pwm instead of an analog voltage? 

​​​​And what is a most important differences between the 7i96s and the 7i76e? They seem to me reasonably similar. 

Thank you

I never have used the spindle output for anything but the digital pot. If im not mistaken the spindle output on both cards is a PWM output. Im sure it can be set to duty cycle.

The big difference is the field I/O that's on the 7i76e. I think 32 input 16 out.

Just a remark, why is 7i73 in the same box with other stuff?

I got it there for setup right now and I'm unsure where I'm putting the panel on this machine.

It was actually put in the mix when I had the 7i85s as my platform. It was a way to get a mobile(on wheels) console. Then I saw the 7i96s. it was the faster way to get where I wanted. Now Im just planning to use the 7i73 for a couple jog wheels and some panel i/o but no longer necessary since my PC can be remote.