Interesting ?

[Tweakie.CNC]

This is an interesting eBay item perhaps.
Says it need no driver to operate from the USB with Mach3 - Is this a load of old **** or what ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-axis-CNC-USB-Card-Mach3-200KHz-windows2000-xp-vista-/260759887366?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item3cb6801e06#ht_8263wt_1139

Tweakie.

[Scoppio]

awesome, I'm actually developing a board just like this one, but instead of an Altera FPGA I'll be using 3 PIC's (one for each axis), each with one encoder input and axis output, mainly to decrease de learning curve (also, it don't add too much in the cost of the project, maybe 3 dolars more)

[Tweakie.CNC]

Great project, please keep us all up to date with your developments.

I can understand the 3 PIC's (one for each axis) but a USB UART would seem like a good idea to handle the USB refresh etc etc.

Tweakie.

[Scoppio]

actually the PIC 18F4550 is a Microchip microcontroller specialized in USB communication.

There will be 2 different configurations

1 - USB and DB 25 input, one MCU to translate USB into Parallel, it feeds the drivers of 3 stepper motor axis.
2 - USB and DB 25 input, one MCU to translate USB into Parallel, if feeds 3 other MCU's where each generates a +10/-10 voltage signal to drive a servo motor driver and has one quadrature encoder each.

[TOTALLYRC]

This is an interesting eBay item perhaps.
Says it need no driver to operate from the USB with Mach3 - Is this a load of old **** or what ?



Tweakie.

Hi Tweakie,
More than likely windows already has a driver for it.

It does take a plugin according to the Ebay description.
It is nice in that it does 4 axis and a spindle.

Mike

[Tweakie.CNC]

Hi Mike,

Would be really nice if someone bought one and tried it out 

Tweakie.

[TOTALLYRC]

My Thoughts exactly!!!
I am already working on the Mesa stuff and I am setting up a couple of Galil boards at this time so I really don't need another board.

[Tweakie.CNC]

And I was counting on you.  

I must have upset someone at the UK Border Control Agency because everything I have imported lately has been seized by customs and swingeing import duties levied as well as the 20% VAT. Surprisingly the goods from the USA seem to be getting hit worse than those from China but I have been unable to get an explanation of the reasons for this. I think I will just have to lay low for a while (nothing to do with the fact that I have overspent my CNC allowance and I am broke   ).

Tweakie.