Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: RBeaubien on December 01, 2017, 06:31:47 PM
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I'm looking for a motion controller that supports MACH4 and has the following features
4-axis
supports 36v or higher
Spindle control
5v output to control stepper drivers
Any suggestions?
Thanx.
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36 volt or higher for what?
Mike
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Every motion controller that I am aware of for Mach4 will support 4 axes.
I assume the 36 volts is for the stepper motor drivers. The motion
controller will not see or care about this voltage. It delivers 5 volt
logic signals for Step and Direction to the stepper drivers.
Spindle control can be simple On/Off or can be an analog voltage to
control spindle speed using a VFD or other variable speed drive. For
PMDX SmartBOB motion controllers, the VFD interface would be
an optional PMDX-407.
The PMDX SmartBOB family offers several motion controller that could
do the job. You can compare them here:
http://www.pmdx.com/SmartBOB-compare
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So I don't have to have multiple power supplies. How do you provide power to the motion controller if it doesn't work on the same voltage as the drivers? I currently have the WiXHC Mach4 controller that only supports 24v as far as I can tell.
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Afaik, no motion controllers will run from the stepper motor power supply, unless it's a board that requires 24V, and you happen to be running your steppers at 24V.
Most motion controllers run on 5V, or sometimes 12V.
Your chinese board has an integrated breakout board, which is why it requires 24V.
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The PMDX-424 SmartBOB operates directly from 120 to 250 volts AC.
The other products in the SmartBOB family are powered from the
USB connection to the host computer.
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Im currently setting up the Pokeys57cnc and its nice.
All i can definitely recommend is NOT going with the XHC Mach4 board. Its *********. Doesnt support f*%k all Mach 4 features.
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What doesn't it support? I mean, I've already purchased this one so the features it doesn't support would have to be worth something to me.
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You have purchased the XHC USB mach 4 board?
This board will only run using wxMach.exe and will not run with wxMachGUI.exe.
Basically this means NONE of the MAch4 screen editing works. This means you cant use the "auto Tool Zero" or anything. Check a few topics down i posted a warning about it. Its a nice board but they havent developed the plugins enough.
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This is a version specifically for MACH4 (all versions): http://www.cdxhctech.com/html/eProduct/view_216_406.html . The place I got it from even bundles it with MACH4 Hobby version if you want. I think you are talking about a different board. It is the MK4-M4, not the MK3-M4. They even have screen shots and videos showing MACH4 configuration using the GUI.
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Nope same board.
https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,36023.0.html
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Ok then, what other motion control boards are available that fully support MACH4. I've seen the PoKeys and the PMDX boards. Any others? I'm not a fan of the necessary add on board to control the spindle on the PMDX boards and I don't like the ribbon connector headers for the stepper motor controls on the PoKeys board. Anything all-in-one?
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Im really happy with Pokey57cnc. After making the mistake of buying the XHC. Most supported ones are listed on the Mach site. If you arbt happy with any of the ones listed in there site you might need to go with Mach3
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The problem with the Pokey57cnc is the stupid ribbon headers.
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Yup they arnt ideal i noticed this too. You can buy small breakout type boards from Pokeys also that connect the ribbon to little terminal connectors. Small price to pay for a fully supported and quality product with good support. They have a dedicated support page which is really helpful and they are quick to respond. Also everything can be programmed to customize in Mach4. You also get the option of both USB and ethernet. Im using ethernet and its awesome.
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Youll be disappointed with the XHC. There support is scrap and as i said a heap of features you cannot use. Save yourself the headache. I have literally JUST been through this process and it is basically false advertising of there product.
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I've requested a refund of the XHC controller I'll get something else. You have a URL for the small breakout boards for the pokeys controller?
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Hi,
the ESS by Warp9. Still has ribbon cables to connect to standard breakout boards which are required.
been in the Mach market since there was a Mach market just like PMDX.
Craig
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The ESS does NOT support spindle control.
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Hi,
yes it does, PWM. And PID spindle control has just been released last week.
Craig
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They also say no MACH4 support for USB.
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https://www.poscope.com/product-category/cables-accessories/
I bought the pokeys cable and plug acc. Kit too.
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Hi,
that is correct, the FPGA on the previous model USB SmoothSteppers is smaller and somewhat less capable than the ESS.
Warp9 hope to release a plugin for the USB version to run Mach4 but are focused on completeing the ESS plugin.
The ESS has been on the market for some years, do you not suppose that there would have been a major backlash had
it not been capable of controlling a spindle? It does in fact control a spindle perfectly adequately, depending on the breakout
board you've selected to partner it, and is one of the most popular external motion controllers for either Mach3 or Mach4.
Craig
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I use the ESS with PMDX and Mach4, it is rock solid! and it controls my spindle.
For what it's worth, I did a lot of homework prior to building my CNC machine control box & I came to the conclusion that (like many things in life) there isn't a reliable "All-in-one" solution that will deliver much horsepower. Frankly, i wouldn't want one anyway. I'd hate to replace the whole thing because one stepper motor driver burned up.
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We have used the ESS from Warp9 and the HiCON Integra from Vital Systems.
I'm a big fan of the HiCON Integra from Vital Systems. It is rock solid and gives you 24V I/O, Spindle Control, Backlash, and very good support.
The ESS is reliable with Mach4, we have some small issues with Mach3, but so far with Mach4 it has been very reliable. The ESS is very good for the Cost.
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I have settled (unfortunately) on the POKEYS57CNC board. It's all in one and seems well supported. The ribbon connectors on it are horrible, and seem like something out of the 80s, but I will make do with them.
The lack of access to the API leaves me with very few options.
Thanx for all the suggestions.
Rob