Re: EMC & RT Linux

> From: Greg Nuspel <nuspelg@...>
>
> I have an old 486sx laptop on which I would like to run control software
> for my project if possible. I was wondering if Real Time Linux along
> with EMC is the answer?

You're going to need at least a P90 to be happy with the EMC.

> I am running 4 axis x,y and u,v on a hot wire foam cutter. The unit is
> for cutting foam wings for radio control airplanes. The software has to
> create a spline through the airfoil coordinates. I have a copy of an
> algorithm for this purpose. I had already set up boards for this project
> using the design Hans Wedermeyer created. I was going to use CNCPro but
> it doesn't support macros in which a spline algorithm could run.

The EMC doesn't support macros, subroutines, or parametric programming (yet).
If your algorithm can output G code then the EMC can run it regardless of
length (up to the size of your hard drive). I'm also not sure if the EMC is
going to be able to control your U and V axis without some changes.

> Presently there is some software out there for this purpose but it has
> been written for Windows 9x using an external clock to maintain a form
> of real time control. My problem is my laptop is old has no CD-ROM so
> loading Windows 95 onto a 486sx 25mhz is not very feasible.

The most practical way to load Linux is using a CD, so this is a limitation
for an EMC based system as well.

Matt