. .

Thread: Plcm-e4

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
  1. #1
    I'm currently trying to decide what motion controller/BOB combo I'm going to use for my new router build.
    I'm going with 3 axis, dual stepper on x-axis, so I need slaving and at least one extra axis to add a 3d printer addon (I know, not the best 3d printer).

    I can't really decide what to get at the moment, probably leaning toward either an ESS + some random BOB or a PLCM-E3 with some BOB (currently undecided). ESS is hard to get in EU though.
    Lo and behold, I then stumble upon a board called PLCM-E4 on purelogics site. It appears to be a slightly slimmed down version of the E3, but with a BOB integrated.
    http://www.purelogic.ru/files/downlo...er/PLCM-E4.pdf + google translate works pretty good.

    What do you think? Should I send an email to Purelogic, see if I can buy it?

    Or, should I get a PLCM-E3, if so what BOB should I get?
    http://www.zappautomation.co.uk/elec...out-board.html looks like it's both the B1 bob and an E3 if I go by the pictures and the price tag, but the description is rather vague. Does this include the E3?

    I realise this is a bit of a ramble, but I'm rather confused at the moment, trying to decide what to get. Cost is a bit of a concern, and I wouldn't want to spend as much on a bob as I do on the motion controller as it seems like some people do.

    Any tips?
    Last edited by Tumblebeer; 13-07-2014 at 08:30 PM.

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by Tumblebeer View Post
    I realise this is a bit of a ramble, but I'm rather confused at the moment, trying to decide what to get. Cost is a bit of a concern, and I wouldn't want to spend as much on a bob as I do on the motion controller as it seems like some people do.

    Any tips?
    Don't short cut the BOB esp with a Motion control card. BOB's are the single biggest bottleneck and pain in the arse if poor quality.

    I'd enquire about the E4 but got a feeling it's still in R&D.

    The B1 is just a BOB but it's designed to take full advantage of the E3 and allows full use of all the I/O. It's essentially 2 Bob's in one with PWM spindle control.
    If you don't need all the I/O the E3 provides then you can get away with just using the PLC6x or the PLC4x-G2. The G2 provides PWM spindle control the 6x doesn't.

    If your going for the ESS then I'd strongly suggest you go for the PMDX126.
    Last edited by JAZZCNC; 13-07-2014 at 09:31 PM.

  3. #3
    I was getting a bit confused about this as well, when I was looking at the Zapp site earlier (and especially as I haven't found decent English documentation for these devices). Thanks for the additional info.
    One more question, though - when these boards talk about PWM spindle speed control, I am assuming that they have some kind of PWM->true analogue converter on board, which takes a PWM speed signal from Mach3 and gives a 0-10V (usually) signal that connects directly to the VFD. Is that right? Nothing else needed for Mach3 spindle speed control?

    - Brian

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Neale View Post
    Nothing else needed for Mach3 spindle speed control?
    Yep that's correct just set mach3 to output PWM and away you go.!

  5. #5
    first, hi and sorry to bring up a old post,i brought one of these and im yet to connect it up. I am a little confused as to were the step,dir enable are on this board,do i just pick which ever?
    regards

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by gregors View Post
    first, hi and sorry to bring up a old post,i brought one of these and im yet to connect it up. I am a little confused as to were the step,dir enable are on this board,do i just pick which ever?
    regards
    Do you have a breakout board with it.? If yes which one.

    Don't connect directly to the motion controller because you could damage it.

  7. #7
    it came with this, im guessing i connect the steppers driver through the virtual lpt thenClick image for larger version. 

Name:	bob.jpg 
Views:	187 
Size:	106.4 KB 
ID:	27440

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by gregors View Post
    it came with this, im guessing i connect the steppers driver through the virtual lpt thenClick image for larger version. 

Name:	bob.jpg 
Views:	187 
Size:	106.4 KB 
ID:	27440
    That's just a DB25 terminal block. You really need a proper breakout board that offers some signal isolation to protect the controller. The breakout board will also provide a few other features like Spindle speed controller and relay.

    It's been a while since I used the PLCM-e4 so I've forgotten exactly what it provides regards input/outputs etc but think i'm correct in saying to get full use you'll need either dedicated board that offers enough I/O to make full use or will need 2 or more standard breakout boards.

    I'll see if can find the manual to refresh my memory.!

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by JAZZCNC View Post
    That's just a DB25 terminal block. You really need a proper breakout board that offers some signal isolation to protect the controller. The breakout board will also provide a few other features like Spindle speed controller and relay.

    It's been a while since I used the PLCM-e4 so I've forgotten exactly what it provides regards input/outputs etc but think i'm correct in saying to get full use you'll need either dedicated board that offers enough I/O to make full use or will need 2 or more standard breakout boards.

    I'll see if can find the manual to refresh my memory.!


    https://purelogic.ru/data/docs/elekt..._manual_en.pdf

    link to the manual, to be honist i just wanted a all in one type board, if theis gets to confusing i might just get rid and buy a CSMIO/IP-M type

  10. #10
    Firstly, I'll admit to being cautious to reply - because if you have to ask the question then you clearly are less than confident with what you're doing - don't take that the wrong way.

    Jazz is mostly right - however I think you can afford to skip a few of the nice-to-haves. You can use the Port#1 outputs to directly drive your stepper drivers - the drivers pretty much all have Opto Isolated inputs, so the risk of damage is limited to getting your wiring correct in the first place. The Russian manual is shite - there's no specification for the buffered outputs but lets assume that they can source 20mA at 5V - then designate yourself the step/dir for each axis (chose just one to start with!) and configure Mach accordingly, and wire the output to the driver step+ / dir+ inputs (two, one for each) and ground the step- / dir- inputs on the driver.

    For inputs (limit switches etc) I wouldn't use the Port#1 inputs directly without a BoB, for Jazz's reason of isolation - but then the main board has 16 isolated inputs that you can use - go for them. You also have a 0-10V output for the spindle analogue input and any of 8 relays to help control the spindle & other bits. Plenty to go at. To answer your original question - yes, you have to define the mapping of step/dirs yourself to the port #1 outputs. Leave the EN's open for now on the stepper drivers.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. USB and Ethernet Mach3 motion controller PLCM-E3
    By Purelogic R&D in forum Manufacturer News
    Replies: 39
    Last Post: 29-12-2012, 09:38 AM
  2. Purelogic Tiny Mach3 USB motion controller PLCM-LPT2
    By Purelogic R&D in forum Manufacturer News
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 21-08-2012, 08:22 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •