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« on: December 14, 2012, 10:15:34 AM »
Hi. I am new on this forum.
I have almost completed a new X2 mini mill CNC conversion. The ballscrews and steppers on all three axes are mounted. The machine has been stripped down completely, cleaned, lubricated, and built up again.
I have a 48V SMPSU (switch mode power supply) wired up, the stop button is connected, and a Geckodrive with a parallell port connection is set up. I have been able to get at least one of the axes running via the LPT port on my old Windows XP machine. This looks good so far.
However, I want to go to 64 bit Windows 7 in the near future. On that Windows installation I use new hardware: there is no LPT (Parllell port). As I understand: on 64 bits system I am required to use an external motion controller.
So to the question: What external motion controller do I choose?
Here are some criteria for selection the external motion controller that I can think of:
Should work under Win 7, 64bits
Should have a standard interface ( probably USB or Ethernet )
Should be fast enought to run hobby mills like the X2, X3. Should also be usable for a future CNC'ed lathe project
Should work with Gecko drives with no issues
Should be able to handle 4 axes, possibly 5 for future expansion
Should have a reasonable user base, so support is available
Should not be a beta version
Should be fairly easy to get up and running
I/O ports should have proper connectors and be reasonably buffered
No need for closed loop control at the moment, stepper control is fine
Should not be a very old design that will go end of life anytime soon
Should sell at a reasonable price
Should be possible to use on Mach 4 in the future
Question: what external motion controller you suggest that I acquire?