Re: Embedde EMC + WM

[Paul <Paul.Corner-at-tesco.net>]

Hi David

EMC will run with just about any of the lightweight window managers, I picked
KDE because I'm comfortable with it - Never really got on too well with fvwm or
Gnome. When I get time, I intend to have a go with fltk http://www.fltk.org
doing a quick search reveals that there is already a window manager available
to run with fltk... Just need some spare time.

The subject of embedded systems covers a wide range of form factors and
processors. PC104 is one of the smallest, and quite pricey. Passive backplanes
with ISA/PCI slots are reasonable as long as you are not after high speed
processors. Recently qouted ~£600 for a 233Mhz Cyrix, 128M RAM, onboard
graphics and NIC all in a shoebox case. This would have space for one ISA card
and two PCI if I recall the details.
The other option is an 8U 19" case with an LCD panel and an 'off the shelf'
motherboard mounted directly behind the screen. With any luck, the total depth
can be kept to around 8", and has the advantage of using cheap, common
components.
The latter soloution is the one I favour when I come to retrofit one of the
machines I have here. It will require a custom chassis to mount everything in,
should be able to do it in house.

Due to the nature of CNC machines generally being on the large size, space is
not at a premium. Therefore, ultra compact PC's are not an over-riding priority.
(just my own opinion). Most machines I have seen have the space to accommodate
a standard PC case.

Regards, Paul.


On Fri, 24 Aug 2001, dlantz-at-armorholdings.com 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).
> 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)
> 2) does anyone have good experience with the 'gecko' brand controllers?
> 3) has anyone successfully built EMC on embedded platforms(pci backplane,
> pentium 3 series, or any)?
> 4) how could spindle speed be controlled if I was using the parallell port?
> does anyone have a wiring diagram?
> 
> thanks!
> David Lantz