Re:

[Ray <rehenry-at-up.net>]

Hi David

Welcome to the list, the EMC, and the BDI.

On Fri, 24 Aug 2001, David wrote:
> Hello all, a newbie to EMC, seeking a few resources.  First an introduction.
> By trade, I am a mechnical designer, but I also have functioned as computer
> software and hardware support.  I have Linux experience.  I am trying to
> build a CNC router to produce small pieces of high quality woodworking and
> thin metal works to use as pressing plates for leather.  These would
> eventually need to be mass produced (I'm hoping).  I've procured an old
> pentium 133, which i've loaded the bdi on, without KDE, then put fvwm on,
> and played around with the settings to speed things up.  I bought the 'hobby
> cnc' kit for three axis control (the circuit board, 60 in/oz steppers and
> misc hardware). My employmer is funding this, because they will probably
> want me to retrofit some of the machines out in the shop (waterjet cutter,
> plasma cutter, cnc mill, router... and a host of non-cnc machines that could
> be modified).

Sounds like you have a good start on the whole project.  There are
several smaller X windows managers than fvwm but if you are planning on
servos, you don't need the speed anyway. (unless you have games and surfing
in mind at the same time)

> My main questions:
> 1) where do I find servo motors, at least, less expensive servo motors...
> the waterjet cutter here uses 600 oz/in steppers, which i would want to
> modify over to servo? (non-emc question)

There was a fellow over on the CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO list, Doug Harrison who had
some new SEM motors for sale.  You might check.

> 2) does anyone have good experience with the 'gecko' brand controllers?

Yes and I really like them.  But if you use step and direction signals at
very high speed you will need a screamer (550 plus) for a PC.

> 3) has anyone successfully built EMC on embedded platforms(pci backplane,
> pentium 3 series, or any)?

I've checked some prices on SBC's and it looks attractive (<$1,400) even
with color touch display and auxio and all chip memory. 

> 4) how could spindle speed be controlled if I was using the parallell
port? > does anyone have a wiring diagram?

No comment.

Hope this helps

Ray