Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: BluePinnacle on April 23, 2018, 12:56:00 PM

Title: Time for a rip-out
Post by: BluePinnacle on April 23, 2018, 12:56:00 PM

So it's been 11 or 12 years since I built my machine's control system. Since then it's followed me from one job to another, thrown numerous wobblies and been hacked and patched to kingdom come and I'm thinking ... I should buy an ESS.
This is looking even more promising now that I've got the hang of OEM inputs and outputs, those three ports will come in handy. I've got a long list of things I want the beasty to do, including being more operator friendly in service. Stuff like pushing a proper button to start a cycle rather than messing about with an increasingly gungy keyboard and mouse. Stuff you get on a proper machine. It's all a bit undefined right now but I'm getting places in terms of the ports and pins layout, panel layout basics and other conceptual level stuff.
Most of the limit sensors, contactors and relays were recycled from its initial build so they are a bit old. I think for reliability and a fresh start generally I'll just fit new.
I might even change the coolant this time.  :D
Anyway, wish me luck and I'll update when there's something worth a photograph.

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: joeaverage on April 23, 2018, 03:03:44 PM

Hi,
I bought an ESS about 18 months ago and it been really really good. As you say having those extra ports is a luxury.

The PoKeys 57CNC is also worth considering, it has in addition to all those IO pins, slightly more than an ESS, it has ADC pins as well. So you could use a potentiometer say,
for spindle speed. The ESS does have ADC, great otherwise.

Craig

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: joeaverage on April 24, 2018, 12:19:42 AM

Hi,
sorry just noticed a typo...the ESS does not have analogue inputs (ADC).

Craig

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: ger21 on April 24, 2018, 07:06:23 AM

The UC300ETH has analog inputs. And more I/O than the ESS, for less money.

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: BluePinnacle on April 25, 2018, 11:42:39 AM

They're some very interesting alternatives ... Thanks for the information on these.
Might have to re-think all this in light of new possibilities.

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: BluePinnacle on June 28, 2018, 11:08:41 AM

Just one more thing - Looking at Mach3 and the UC300ETH, I can't see a way of getting mach3 to see more than two ports. Can it be configured to take advantage of all the available I/O in a UC300?

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: ger21 on June 28, 2018, 11:22:48 AM

The two port adresses in Mach3 are parallel ports.
When using the UC300ETH, those get ignored.
On the ports and pin pages, you just enter the port number, 1-5.

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: BluePinnacle on June 28, 2018, 11:24:22 AM

Aha. Lightbulb moment :)

Thanks.

Title: Re: Time for a rip-out
Post by: BluePinnacle on July 19, 2018, 05:23:22 AM

So, I have the UC300ETH on my desk waiting for a build ... Looking through my box of industrial lego I have a lot of the parts I need to do it, so watch this space  ;D