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Hello fellow metalworkers,
I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good CNC controller to retrofit my [small] mill.
There are plenty available on eBay/aliexpress, have any of you guys installed one?
Here is what I'm looking for:
- 4 axis
- encoder position feedback
- graphic user interface
- 2 axis interpolation
- hand controller
I'm also open to purchasing a s/hand unit.
Any reports on your experience would be appreciated.
Thank you
What mill?
LinuxCNC is my recommended controller.
Thanks Pippin,Quote:
Originally Posted by pippin88
Mill is Optimum BF20LV
Are you using Mesa cards?
Yes, I use Mesa cards.
Will you be using steppers or servo? If servo, what input (analog +/-10v or step/dir)?
My setup will have steppers.Quote:
Originally Posted by pippin88
I have investigated the LinuxCNC+Mesa option but the current AUD exchange rate makes this a rather expensive option compared to some of the 3-5 axis CNC controllers available from China, hence my question if anyone has used them.
If I end up using LinuxCNC I'd like to run it on a Raspberry Pi 4, do you run yours on a full PC?
I'm even considering something like the Masso CNC controller at A$1k.
Thanks
$200US gets you a 7i76e. Or a 7i96 for $120US. That's all you need.
That's a lot cheaper than $1K AUD.
I personally would not buy a Chinese controller. A CNC controller is not something you want to have bad documentation about.
You can get started with LinuxCNC for the price of a cheap parallel port breakout board.
A 3-4 axis converted benchtop mill is not a demanding application for a control. It's not going to move that fast, so software step generation would be fine to start with at least.
I use an old PC. With a 7i43 and 7i76 (not a standard combination, requires custom adaptor cable, just a result of buying the 7i43 second hand), so latency is not a significant issue.
I fully agree and that's the big stumbling block for most of the Chinese stuff, even the [expensive/local] Masso doesn't have proper manual.Quote:
Originally Posted by pippin88
I will investigate LinuxCNC again ..... did you get your Mesa cards from the Mesa shop in US?
I bought a Masso to retrofit my CNC lathe. It's not a bad controller. It's expensive yes but in my situation it was worthwhile as I could use the 1984 steppers drivers and I had a analogue output for Spindle speed control.
Thanks for your reply .... did the Masso come with a good manual? I find the online documentation lacks a lot of detail.Quote:
Originally Posted by welder