Messages

71

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 17, 2017, 07:31:52 PM »

I kinda assumed the old tech, but does that mean that I will need the Darwin driver regardless of the windows 7 EPP mode availability?  I don't mind paying the $25 unless I am paying it unnecessarily.

72

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 17, 2017, 06:59:44 PM »

BTW, I ordered the g540.  Let the adventure begin.

73

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 17, 2017, 06:58:53 PM »

So what is meant by "legacy Parallel port".  I hooked a win 7 machine and looked at the pp settings in the bios and it does support EPP mode.  Does legacy mean any machine with a built in parallep port, or the absense of EPP mode?  Will I still need the parallel port driver?  I watched ARTs video on the driver and got a bit overwhelmed.  This arm of technology is still pretty distant from my knowledge base.

74

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 07, 2017, 09:04:04 PM »

After doing a bit more research on the BOB, I think maybe the diagram above misses the mark completely.  Sorry.  I don't know why I am having so much trouble getting this.   Right now, chilipeppr is working, but I really think I would be better off making the switch if I can understand this better.

75

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 07, 2017, 08:44:00 PM »

Ok, so right now, I have a 24v p/s and a 48v for the spindle, so I should be good on the psu.  Does the ESS need to be part of a network, or can I use a null modem cable (cross over cable) to hook directly to the computer?   So it would be something like this....

Win xp computer Mach X   <------(cross over)-----> ESS <-----> BOB w/drivers <=====> motors

As I stated earlier, I have no wired network in the shop, so I use wifi for any connectivity.

76

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 07, 2017, 04:37:18 PM »

So looking at your configuration, I guess the Smoothstepper replaces the g540.  It seems to be eithernet only, is that correct.  This would probably not work for me as I do not have any wired network access in the shop.  It's only wifi.  Is there a version of that board that would work with parallel port or some other local wired connection?

I am unclear on the purpose of the BOB.  The stepper drivers are in the Smoothstepper, right?

Is the VistaCNC pendent  a necessary ingredient to this setup or just a convenience that I could get later?I

I do recognize you are not suggesting I do exactly what you are doing, but I just want to understand it in case there are elements to this that seem appropriate to me.

Also you elected to use an "external motion cotroller"  Wouldn't you always need some sort of motion controller (like the g540) or am I missing something. If youi had elected to use the parallel port, exactly what would that look like?

Also, please forgive my typing.....new (to me) lap top and a really strange key configuration.
I know I am showing just how little  I know...and that's am accurate picture
 

thank you for your response and information.


charlie

77

Mach4 General Discussion / Switching to Mach4 hobby from chilipeppr

« on: January 06, 2017, 08:29:56 PM »

So if I wanted to switch to Mach4 Hobby, I know that I need a software license and a something like a Gecko g540.  I have a windows XP machine and an Ox CNC router.  Also I know I have to convert my motor wiring to 9 pin Din connectors. What else would I need to purchase in order to get started. 

The windows xp machine is pretty minumal....2gb memory, 80gb HD, and a parallel port.  It would be dedicated to this software. 

Do I need anything else to get this setup and working?  As a retireee, I need to know what I am up against financially before I start a project. I am expecting a layout of about $500 for the license and the controller board.  Anything else I should be aware of?