Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Controlling more stepper drivers than I have outputs for?

I looked at the PDMX-120 and downloaded the excellent manual with great
interest - it looks to be a very well designed board. I definitely
would rather purchase rather than re-invent. His other products are
also very interesting but I basically have something very similar that I
have used before and am modifying.

The reason is that Indexer LPT uses the parallel ports quite differently
to most of the other systems supported by the PDMX-120. Only two axes
are supported per parallel port - the other lines are used for limit
switches and general purpose I/O lines. As I understand its operation
so far, you actually "disable" the parallel port in Windows - so Windows
can't screw up your motor and also to protect the user from someone
accidentally "printing" to a parallel port connected to a motor from say
Word and doing damage to their motor or themselves. Also, Indexer takes
complete control of the CPU while motion is underway and then returns
control to Windows when it is safe. You have to keep G Code Controller
as the active window - i.e. maximize it on screen.

Cheers, Peter



j.guenther wrote:

> I would suggest that you check with Steve Stalliings, stevesng@...,
> at Practical Micro Design as they have a new opto isolated parallel port
> breakout board that does all of what you mention and more. The product is
> PMDX-120, I have one of the Beta units in test at this time and I am very
> impressed with the design of this board.
>
> John Guenther
> Sterling, Virginia
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Peter [mailto:prenolds@...]
>>Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 10:38 AM
>>To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
>>Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Controlling more stepper drivers than
>>I have outputs for?
>>
>>
>>This seems to be an ideal application for you to consider Ability
>>Systems Indexer LPT and G Code Controller. Indexer supports up to 8
>>axes and with the ability to issue low level command directives
>>associated with any axis - e.g. Tool changers or via M98 and M99 macros
>>- you should be able to implement slides and loaders etc., without
>>toooooo much trouble. As folks here may already know, G Code Controller
>>is currently in beta release and has excellent documentation and
>>support. Have a chat to Art at Ability Systems (215)657-4338 or
>>www.abilitysystems.com if you want to learn more.
>>
>>I know this because I have just purchased Indexer and G Code controller
>>and have been reading the documentation over the last few days. Over
>>the next couple weeks I will be evaluating them for my CNC mill. I will
>>be happy to report my findings to everyone, in due course.
>>
>>FYI, I will be driving G201 Geckos from the parallel ports but rather
>>than direct connections, I will be prototyping an opto isolation PCB to
>>protect the PC. Yes, I know the Gecko inputs are isolated but I need to
>> also isolate all limit switch inputs and coolant and motor control
>>outputs etc.
>>
>>Cheers, Peter
>>
>>dave_ace_me wrote:
>>
>>
>>>ummmm,
>>>
>>>there has been talk about using a relay to switch the output of the
>>>controllers. This is a no-no as power loss can be pretty great.
>>>
>>>Has anyone used relays to switch the control signal to the
>>>controllers ?
>>>
>>>or should we just wait for the 'black box' project?
>>>
>>>Dave
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "mart_wid" <vwa1244302@a...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi, take a look at TurboCNC. Find out about it here:-
>>>>
>>>>
>>>www.dakeng.com
>>>
>>>
>>>>All the best, Martin.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Jon Anderson <janders@n...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>A post to the Ahha group brought no replies, will try here. I am
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>looking
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>into an application where I would need to control a minimum of 6
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>axis,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>up to 8 axis, in 2 axis pairs and with no more than any 4 axis
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>needed at
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>any particular time. Ahha will only control 4. I would have all
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>motors
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>and drivers powered, want to be able to switch step/dir lines
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>without
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>getting any jumping from switching noise. Also need to maintain
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>current
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>line status, whatever they might be at the moment. Would like to
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>do this
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>with off the shelf stuff, even if I have to build from the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>component
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>level. This will probably be done with Gecko drives, which offers
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>the
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>choice of steppers or servos.
>>>>>
>>>>>In a nutshell, I want to automate a lathe with multiple slides,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>and
>>>
>>>
>>>>>control a robotic loader/unloader.
>>>>>Reason for wanting to do all this in Ahha is I want ALL info
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>related to
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>running a particular job in the G-code file. Yeah, going to be
>>>>>interesting setting up programs...<G>
>>>>>Goal is to reduce to a minimum the lot size needed to justify the
>>>>>automation. Do not want to get into PLC's and having to load
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>separate
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>programs.
>>>>>
>>>>>Jon A.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>Addresses:
>>>FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>>>FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>>http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>>>
>>>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this
>>>
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>>
>>>
>>>
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>
>
>
> Addresses:
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> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>
> OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
> If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto:
> aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if
> you have trouble.
> http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this as a sister
> site to the CCED group, as many of the same memembers are there, for OT
> subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
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>
> OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
> If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto: aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if you have trouble.
> http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this as a sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same memembers are there, for OT subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
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>
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