Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: homersimpson on January 13, 2012, 05:18:35 PM

Title: 6 stepper support
Post by: homersimpson on January 13, 2012, 05:18:35 PM

I am currently controlling 4 steppers (3 axis) with Mach3 and a Gecko G540 via the parallel port.  I want to add 2 more axis, 1 for a lathe, and 1 for a rotary table mounted to the router motor. 

Any thoughts on how to do this? 

I've read that people have problems with PCI parallel ports and I'm not sure Mach will handle 2 parallel ports, well, in parallel, even if it did work.  I haven't been able to find anyone in the forums with the same problem although I'm sure others have run into it.

Title: Re: 6 stepper support
Post by: ftomazz on January 16, 2012, 07:34:14 AM

Two parallel ports at the same time on the same PC works fine.
Buy a PCI parallel port and try. I am using a very cheap board with a MOSCHP chip that works ok.

Title: Re: 6 stepper support
Post by: ger21 on January 16, 2012, 10:16:30 AM

The new PMDX-126 can slave an axis in hardware, and drive 6 axis from one parallel port.
http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-126

Title: Re: 6 stepper support
Post by: homersimpson on January 17, 2012, 11:05:09 AM

So I just got a reply from Marcus over at Gecko and here's what he said:

"A second G540 would need a second parallel port on your computer. I believe Mach3 can control up to two parallel ports so that should not be a problem."

ftomazz, can you tell me what brand/model number PCI/parallel port you are using?  I don't think all of them are created equal and I suspect some will work and some won't.  Just to confirm, you are also using these 2 parallel ports with Mach3?  Thanks.

Title: Re: 6 stepper support
Post by: ftomazz on January 17, 2012, 01:41:15 PM

I bought it from CNC4PC
I use also 2 boards in each PC.