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Onoff

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A mate has just asked me this. I haven't got a clue but I reckon someone here knows! ?

 

"Do you know much about CNC controller cards, from what I understand you can get them standard ready to run just need to connect to PC and stepper motor drives?"

 

 

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1 hour ago, PeterW said:

You can get USB ones. 
 

mach 3 is good but limited on the free versions 

 

Thanks. A bit lost.... you mean a usb to parallel converter. Then Mach 3 is what hardware or software?

 

He wants to build a cnc table where he can use his wood router and his plasma cutter.

 

Sure someone on here has built their own cnc table, you, Jeremy maybe?

 

 

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Yes I’ve got one. 
 

mach3 is the software - G-code converter for the CNC board. 
 

You can get just USB boards but they tend to be a bit slow as they can’t transmit as fast as you basically have a massive USB DAC overhead so the actual G-Code translation is slow. Not ideal for plasma as that needs very fast and precise control. A router can go slow, a plasma going slow just creates a dripping mess ...

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14 minutes ago, PeterW said:

mach3 is the software - G-code converter for the CNC board. 
 

You can get just USB boards but they tend to be a bit slow as they can’t transmit as fast as you basically have a massive USB DAC overhead so the actual G-Code translation is slow. Not ideal for plasma as that needs very fast and precise control. A router can go slow, a plasma going slow just creates a dripping mess ...

 I wish I knew what all this is about........ Realise how inadequate I am on some things.

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30 minutes ago, JSHarris said:

@Onoff, I have a USB CNC driver here somewhere, a Mk1 Smoothstepper:  https://warp9td.com/

 

It's yours if you want it.  I bought it but never got around to using it, as I opted to use a stand-alone system.

 

Not for me. As above, it for my mate Simon. A Saffa sparks but he's alright really, we go back years. Do you want something for it? 

Edited by Onoff
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30 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

Not for me. As above, it for my mate Simon. A Saffa sparks but he's alright really, we go back years. Do you want something for it? 

 

 

You're welcome to pass it on to him for free.  I think I still have your address somewhere, I'll stick it in the post either tomorrow or the day after.

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10 minutes ago, JSHarris said:

 

 

You're welcome to pass it on to him for free.  I think I still have your address somewhere, I'll stick it in the post either tomorrow or the day after.

 

You're a true gent. Thank you.

 

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8 minutes ago, JSHarris said:

Glad it arrived OK.

 

I've suggested he join the forum to document his build and get advice unless you know of a specific home cnc builder's forum?

 

He's just changed jobs where his shift pattern gives him 6 days off in a row so he needs to fill his time up somehow! :)

 

This was his last (abandoned) project:

 

https://thameshighway.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/sad-end-for-oldest-thames-tug-britannia/

 

"...rather criminally..." ?

Edited by Onoff
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