RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: parallel port finally obsolete?

Tom, I'm not sure what your beef is, here is my original response to the OP:



There are several choices of external motion control cards available now.
Some of them have a USB interface and some have an Ethernet interface. Their
advantage is that they relieve the PC of the really time critical tasks,
like generating accurate step pluses, and can respond much more quickly to
inputs. The disadvantage is adding another piece of hardware to the system.



I started using the SmoothStepper when it first came out about three years
ago and have not looked back (at the parallel port.) I use them in all of my
controllers now. There are also other products available such as DSPMC,
KFlop, etc.



I have also been selling the SmoothSteppers since opening my web shop a
couple of years ago. They are available as a bare board and 'plug-and-play'
in a heavy duty aluminum enclosure with power supply.



http://www.soigeneris.com/Motion_Control_and_I_O_Boards-list.aspx



Jeff Birt

Soigeneris.com



I tried to answer the OP's question and cover some of the pros and cons of
an external motion controller, mentioned several different brands, AND
mentioned that I sold the SmoothStepper with a link to my website. I don't
know how to be clearer than that.



My response w.r.t. external motion controllers and real time was to clarify
that external motion control boards can indeed perform real time control
when that functionality is built into them. There are many different types
of motion controllers that do this ranging from top of the line systems like
Galil to lower cost systems like the SmoothStepper. My response had nothing
to do with THC in particular (which seems to be what you have you are
getting all excited about.)



If you have any other complaints about me please contact me off list. This
mailing list is not the place.



Jeff Birt

Soigeneris.com



From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:06 PM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: parallel port finally obsolete?
--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com> , "Jeffrey T. Birt" <birt_j@...>
wrote:

>
> Actually, THC was just added to the SmoothStepper. The latest addtions

were

> released for the Ethernet SS first and are now being tested on the USB
> version. The larger point however is that an external motion control

device

> must handle the 'real time' functions itself; whatever the particular

'real

> time' function might be.
>
>
>
> Jeff Birt
>
> Soigeneris.com
>

I assume you have seen this work on a cutting plasma table?. There is a lot
more functions in the THC logic than just closing the loop at the pulse
card. I guess that has all been worked out.

You need to let the members know you discourage the use of the parallel port
on your dealer site and you sell the Smooth Stepper.





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