Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: razer00 on May 08, 2013, 07:19:33 AM

Title: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: razer00 on May 08, 2013, 07:19:33 AM
Hi all,

I'm thinking of purchasing a CNC hardware kit including all gantry frames, stepper motors and motor drives.
If I want to use the full capability of MACH3 such as macros and brains, which breakout board or controller can you recommend?
As I want to build something like a CNC machine with some extended capabilities, I need to have a clever Ethernet controller which can deal with several signal I/Os.
I really appreciate it if you give me some advice.
It would be great if you let me know its price range roughly.

Thanks,
Eric.
Title: Re: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: razer00 on May 08, 2013, 11:11:31 AM
Hi, isn't there anyone who can help me? :(
Title: Re: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: Overloaded on May 08, 2013, 11:36:28 AM
Hi Eric,
  This one is very clever.
http://www.cs-lab.eu/en/
Offers extreme flexibility, industrial performance and negates the need for a break-out board.
Russ
 :)
Title: Re: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: razer00 on May 08, 2013, 12:01:31 PM
Thanks a lot, Russ! Have you used it before?
I knew its specification is fantastic, but I'd like to hear some experience.
Have you used it with Brains and Macros of MACH3?
Title: Re: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: Overloaded on May 08, 2013, 12:48:27 PM
I'm using the "M" and it is doing very well so far .... much pleased.
Check out the posts in this board ..........  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/board,91.0.html
a lot of good info there.
Russ
Title: Re: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: Hood on May 08, 2013, 01:21:29 PM
CSMIO is the best controller I have used to date. I have used the IP-S and IP-A and of the two I like the IP-A the best but you need analogue input servos for that one.
 I have used both with brains and macros and they work well. All I/O can be accessed via their internal modbus calls either via VB or Brains. One thing I was concerned about was whether my PLC would work along side the CSMIO as it uses Modbus also but there has not been an issue with it.
Hood
Title: Re: Controller or breakout board selection
Post by: razer00 on May 09, 2013, 04:11:52 AM
Thank you so much, Russ and Hood.
As I've never used this kind of machine before, very tricky for me. :(