Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Anilam conversion - recommend Geck and Mach3, general recommendations. Get a grex !

you do not need any custom driver.
machx supports io in/out immediately through parallel port(s).

get 2 or 3 parallel port cards (cnc4pc, optoisolated, good, cheap, great
service, nice guy)
plug em in your pc a breakout board for each and your're set.
this will give you about 10 in/out signals apart from motors and
home/limit switches.

machx will directly support and drive these cards, through extensible
mach macros you can even manage complex sets (auto-turret changer etc.)

with normal g code command you can directly drive spindle speed,
direction, coolant, etc.
If you get a speed control board (homann design i think) you can
directly drive your
spindle speed to about +/- 1 rpm 0-5000 rpm, with 1 index pulse. easy,
cheap reliable, integrated.

btw- i build complex computer hw/sw systems for a living,
only get paid on results,
am not a machinist yet (maybe a yourneyman machinist at best, lots to
learn),
but most of my computer stuff will not be wrong.

BTW- Excellent option, if
a. you can afford some learning,
b. have 500$ to spare,
get a grex interface card.
Tons of io (100+ maybe ?, cant recall), VERY fast, very good, sw support
is coming.
Its about 20-50x better price/features than any industrial control out
there.

Mach3 will drive it today, some features are coming. It will bust the
market, and be nr 1. in the market immediately.
It may make mach3 and gecko motion control leaders (prob.70% +/- 5) in
the world, unless mariss sells out.
I don't have one yet, as my big mill project is still under work, will
get one when I have mechanics sorted out.
Best one on the market, bar none. Discrete logic (or plc) is the only
thing faster (5000$+, 200 hours+ of work).

All opinions are my own, no affiliation.

>
>
> The external I/O is the biggie, I guess. I would like to find some
> way of managing that, perhaps with a custom software driver, I guess....
>