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Author Topic: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection  (Read 2551 times)

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going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« on: April 05, 2021, 12:55:37 PM »
On the artsoft site I saw that Mach4 v2 only works with certain motion controllers. What I didn't find was a list of approved/preferred devices. Is there a link for that? Also I want to upgrade the controller in my mill as well. Is there a list of approved/preferred controllers for the mill?
Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2021, 05:42:07 PM »
Edit:
For the computer I am thinking about the HP 8300 SFF. Now for the controller card...

Offline Bill_O

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Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2021, 05:48:34 PM »
I use an ESS with a PMDX-126.
The HICON Integra is nice also.
Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2021, 06:21:27 PM »
Those look like some nice pieces of hardware. What is the ESS?
Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2021, 06:29:28 PM »
ESS = Ethernet Smooth Stepper
USS = USB Smooth Stepper
Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2021, 06:31:17 PM »
(Thumbs Up)

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2021, 01:06:36 AM »
ESS = Ethernet Smooth Stepper
USS = USB Smooth Stepper

Just a heads-up...

Warp9 support for the USS Smooth Stepper has ended in favour of the ESS.

Tweakie.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2021, 01:09:21 AM by Tweakie.CNC »
PEACE
Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2021, 12:06:45 AM »
I use an ESS with a PMDX-126.
The HICON Integra is nice also.

Hey All, It's been a while but I am making progress.

@Bill_O Your setup sounded good so I went with it. I have the PMDX-126 and ESS in the mill and wired up to the motor controls and the limit switches. Would you please share some of your ESS and Mach4 config screens with me?

I have my motors wired and mapped in the ESS like below, is that correct?
2 X Step - Port 1 pin 2
3 X Dir - Port 1 pin 3
4 Y Step - Port 1 pin 4
5 Y Dir - ...
6 Z Step - ...
7 Z Dir - ...
8 A Step - ...
9 A Dir - ...

My limit switches are wired up to the following pins. If the above mappings are correct, then I think I know how to take care of 13 and 15, but how do I reference the lettered pins from the ESS setup?
13 - Z--
15 - Z++
E - X--
F - X++
G - Y--
H - Y++

Any pointers about getting my setup to work Machine --> PMDX --> ESS --> Mach4 would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
« Last Edit: June 08, 2021, 12:08:21 AM by phando »

Offline Bill_O

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Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2021, 09:14:44 AM »
Phando,

I have a lot of very custom stuff on my setup so some of it might just confuse you.
The PDF file might have most of the information you are wanting.
I have also attached my ini file.
You will need to go through it in notepad to find the information you are wanting because it will probably not work for you to replace yours.
Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2021, 01:12:53 AM »
@Bill_O Thanks for the response and images!
I spent some time in the shop tonight and didn't get very far. I understand the mapping from the ESS plugin to Mach4, but I am getting confused with the PMDX-126 to the ESS mapping.

Specifically
  • Which port on the PMDX corresponds to which pins.
  • How to reference lettered PMDX pins in the ESS setup.

Attached is a shot showing which pins I am using on the PMDX-126, does this setup look correct?
Motors on the bottom limit switches on the top.

Thanks!