[awerby]

It looks like I need to replace my ancient SoundLogic board, since I can't figure out how to make it control my VFD. (It's got 6 pins sticking out of the board labled "spindle ctrl", but no indication of what they are supposed to do.) What are the favorite breakout boards people currently use? I've got 4 axes to control with mixed servo and stepper drivers. The Soundlogic board connects to a PC EPP parallel port with a 25-pin Centronics cable, but I don't suppose I'll find one like that. Do the new boards convert to USB or Ethernet, or do I need to use a separate motion controller adapter for that? The important thing is driving the VFD with on/off and variable speed. It's looking for a 1-10 volt analog signal, which (I'm guessing) is triggered by a command like M01 S12000 and turned off by a M05 or M5 command. Do I need a separate relay for the on/off function, or is the 1-10v signal all I need?

Also, do modern BOBs deal with 5, 6 or more axes? This machine only has 4, but I've got another one in mind that will have 7: 2 for X, 1 each for Y, Z, and A, plus 2 more for a head that tilts and pivots the spindle. If 6 is the limit, can I use the X channel to power 2 drivers simultaneously?

[arturod]

Check out the C25XP:
https://cnc4pc.com/c25xp-smooth-step...ted-board.html
It is very simple to set up, has all the features, and also expansion capabilities.

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com

[peteeng]

Hi Andrew - Look at dynomotion will do as you need, has excellent motion control and Tom provides excellent support. https://dynomotion.com/index.htm Kflop is 8 axes out of the box and expandable...Peter

it has a thread here - https://www.cnczone.com/forums/dynom...kflop-kanalog/

[awerby]

Thanks, Pete, I'll check it out. It looks like I'd have to buy an additional board for another $299 to control the VFD; is that correct? I was hoping to get both motion and VFD control in a single package. (The Smoothstepper board has a similar issue - it apparently needs the ESS, at an additional cost), in order to function.) But it's great to hear that Tom is actively supporting his products.

Support is important to me when buying technically complex things like this. Are the Smoothstepper boards going to be supported by CNC4PC, or would I have to go to Warp9TD for that? I recently tried to get some help hooking up one of their older USB adapters, and found out that all support was through their forum, and that the only person who knew anything about them was not going to respond, since he was building a house. So that board, which was functional until the computer with its drivers died, had to go in the trash. It was suggested that I buy another of their products to replace it, but I demurred.

[peteeng]

Hi Andrew - I don't think so but best to send Tom the question. I have not used the product yet, will use it on the next two machines in build. I have been reading the manuals and threads plus Tom has responded very rapidly to my questions. Even on Easter sunday!! I'm very impressed with the motion control and analysis side of the product. Plus its scalability and expandability... Looking forward to making a large scale printer with it once my next machine is built... which is dragging on, my minions are on an extended holiday...... Peter

[arturod]

The big advantage of the KFlop as that you can write code that will run in real-time on the motion controller. We have used it for a couple of projects and worked very well and the support from Dynomotion is great. But I would say it is very complex to use for most applications.

The chineese motion controllers have been very bad for the PC-based motion control community as they have given a very bad name and reputation to these applications.

We are the first line of support on the ESS, wiring, and Mach4. But if something is over our heads, we will take it to Warp9 or NFS.

You can open a ticket on our website and submit info on your application and we will gladly send you recommendations and suggest a list of parts: https://cnc4pc.com/contact

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com