Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Parallel Interface-Breakout Selection

This is my personal opinion of these boards. Your mileage may vary :-)

> http://members.shaw.ca/axxus/db1v20.htm

This is basically a terminal block with a few pullups and a 5V supply.
At $60 this seems a little steep, especially once you add a relay board,
and power supply.

> http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-120/index.html

Very configurable. Buffered outputs and opto isolated inputs. 4 on board
relays for auxiliary switching. This is a nice board. Opto isolated
outputs and the ability to handle the Mach2 charge pump feature would
have been nice. Also there is no provision for PWM spindle speed control.

> http://www.campbelldesigns.com/breakout_board_plus.htm

Similar to the PMDX board but no auxiliary relays. It does however
support the Mach2 charge pump. LEDs on every line are useful for
testing. No PWM spindle speed control yet, though one is apparently in
the pipeline(has been for quite a while now).


If I was buying a board I think I would go for the PMDX-120. It looks to
be the best value for money. If you want a 5th axis you are probably
best off using a second parallel port. You can fit 5 axes on 1 port but
you end up running out of outputs for auxiliary switching.

Les



efoda5446 wrote:

> hi there,
>
> i'm new to the board and am building my first cnc. it's a taig mill
> with 214 oz steppers and pac sci 6410 drives. i'm looking for a good
> parallel controller and would appreciate your opinions. these are the
> ones i have found so far: the axxus, the pmdx, and the
> campbelldesigns one.
>
> http://members.shaw.ca/axxus/db1v20.htm
> http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-120/index.html
> http://www.campbelldesigns.com/breakout_board_plus.htm
>
> which is the better board? also, is 4 axis' the limit per lpt,(i may
> add a 5th in the future)? any help would really help.
>
> thanks
> mc
>