Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Will on March 07, 2007, 02:45:49 PM

Title: Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide
Post by: Will on March 07, 2007, 02:45:49 PM

I'm new to this type of project and need to get some more clarification before I move forward.

I am moving closer to building/modifying one of our old Apple based CNC mills. I want to drive it using the Mach 3 software. In the users guide it says I should use a good  breakout board. It pictures 3 but does not list any manufacturer. I am runnning 3 slo-syn syncronous stepper motors. 1. Do I need a parallel port for each motor or are different pins assigned to different motors?  2. Where do I find the proper breakout board for my motors?

Thanks for any help provided

Title: Re: Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide
Post by: Hood on March 07, 2007, 03:46:01 PM

Any breakout will do, I have used PMDX122 and it is a nice board and reasonably priced. Also have a CNC Building blocks one in the lathe I am presently retrofitting, its a bit dearer but has some very nice functions but they may not be of use to you.
 As for parallel ports you only need 1 for up to 4 axis but can add another if you require more inputs/outputs for other functions.
Hood

Title: Re: Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide
Post by: Hood on March 07, 2007, 03:59:01 PM

BTW heres a few links
www.pmdx.com
www.cncbuildingblocks.com
http://cnc4pc.com/

Title: Re: Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide
Post by: Chaoticone on March 07, 2007, 04:41:06 PM

Also, click on the links tab above, look in electronics. Lots of suppliers there.

Brett

Title: Re: Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide
Post by: out**cold on March 11, 2007, 07:32:10 AM

how do I add more parallel ports ? I need more inputs.

Title: Re: Breakout boards as pictured in Mach 3 guide
Post by: Hood on March 11, 2007, 08:27:25 AM

only possible to have two parallel ports, if you only have one at the moment you just need to get yourself a PCI parallel port. If you already have two then there are other ways to get more I/O, one route is a PLC over Modbus.
Hood