Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: IMService releases ncPOD system

On Wed, 23 May 2007 18:09:12 -0000, you wrote:

>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mach1mach2cnc/message/73372
>
>Quite clearly Art considered it in full release on April 25.

Changed his mind by 8th May

See

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mach1mach2cnc/message/73894

Artsoft website still shows it as pre release also.

I'm running one regularly with Mach and I have been working closely with
Art since early January to help iron out the bugs.

IMO - The Ncpod has some limitations which should be made clear to any
prospective users.

Each port is only rated at 20mA.

Only one axis can be jogged at a time (multiple axis moves are fine
under code). In truth - this hasn't caused me any problem.

PWM output is 75kHz, it's output voltage is only 3.5V and it will not
work with much of the existing hardware out there without modification
or additional hardware.

Index pulse input doesn't work with Mach due to latency problems and is
not supported currently. Whether it ever will be would be guessing.

It will ONLY work reliably with USB 2.0 ports - even having legacy USB
support turned on in the PC bios will often cause "The pod has ceased to
respond". This particular problem has caused more support queries than
any other despite the information being posted numerous times.

There are also still a few other issues with the Mach ncpod plugin, Art
is aware of these and they will be fixed in due course.

Steve Blackmore
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