Anyone using CNCdrive products?

[gatesy]

Looking at Linux cnc, is this compatible with MACH3 products, or do I need parts specifically for Linux cnc?

Could I buy the CNCdrive setup, load Linux cnc on my pc and it integrate together, or do I need to do a bit more setting up of the system?

[JAZZCNC]

Looking at Linux cnc, is this compatible with MACH3 products, or do I need parts specifically for Linux cnc?

Could I buy the CNCdrive setup, load Linux cnc on my pc and it integrate together, or do I need to do a bit more setting up of the system?

Yes and No. Most drives and BOBs will work with Both. But External Motion control cards like Uc300 or Cslabs, ESS etc use a dedicated software plug-in that will only work with Mach3. Obviously Uc300 will work with UcCnc as well.
That said because Linux Cnc is real time Kernal then it doesn't need a Ex Motion control card. What you may need however is More I/O so you'll use what called Mesa cards to provide this.
Linux is a very Good cheap option if your prepared for a steep learning curve and to search for Info etc. It isn't has well supported has Mach3 with as wide user base but often those who do support it are quite knowledgable I believe. I'm not into Linux Cnc so that's far has I can help on that i'm afraid. It's certainly got far wider user base and support than UcCnc thou.

Now Just something to be aware of with Uc300 and some of the Cheaper Ex motion control cards when used with Servos.? There Frequency is low. Often Maxing at 100 or 125Khz. This means with 2500ppr encoder you will be limted to the Max speed you'll get from the Servo motor.
Common rpm for servo is 3000rpm but with only 100Khz and 2500ppr encoder you'll never get that speed and your Max speed will be 600rpm.!!
To get your full 3000 rpm and keep all the resolution your 2500ppr encoder provides you'll need frequency of 500khz.
You can still use Uc300 and get the full 3000rpm provided the Drive allows electronic gearing. This will however come at the cost of Encoder Resolution.

This why CncDrive will use 1000ppr Encoders as the overhead is much lower on there Ex Mo card. Even then for 3000rpm you'll need 1:2 E-Gearing so encoder count is actually 500ppr.!!

Cslabs and Ess for instance have 4Mhz Frequency limit which is well on top of the job.!

More to this Cnc malarky than often realised.. .

[gatesy]

That's what appeals to me more about the Linux cnc is that it seems to be much more like a purpose built cnc control (as in Fanuc, Heidenhain, etc) rather than a cnc programme running on windows. I'll have to explore further I think.

Interesting. This is all the information that you need when deciding on what to buy!

I'll have to explore costings a bit more and explore Linux cnc a bit more I think.

Many thanks for all your help and advice, most useful and certainly a lot to think about

[JAZZCNC]

That's what appeals to me more about the Linux cnc is that it seems to be much more like a purpose built cnc control (as in Fanuc, Heidenhain, etc) rather than a cnc programme running on windows. I'll have to explore further I think.

Not really it's still software based working on PC limitations.!!
Fanuc, heidenhain etc use Bespoke Hardware mixed with software to provide there High speed high quality pulses etc. So actually in reality the Mach3 and External motion control cards like Cslabs, Kflop etc are closer to Fanuc Heidenhain in this terms because they use Custom bespoke hardware and software combinations.
But Still there is one BIG difference with Mach3 and Ex Mo cards in it's still a Buffered system and not real time. Linux Cnc is real time and this does make a difference esp with servos and encoders. But I Still think you'll have a lack of Frequency issue because of the restriction of the Parallel port Architecture but I'm not sure what that limit is running Via Linux.?

Kflop is worth a serious look actually because think it can run on both linux cnc and mach but again it's not cheap.!! (and I may be wrong on running both.?)

[gatesy]

Just been having a read of Linux CNC and they appear to have ethernet motion control cards, one example running at 3Mhz

Ok thanks I'll have a look

[JAZZCNC]

Just been having a read of Linux CNC and they appear to have ethernet motion control cards, one example running at 3Mhz

Yes but again it's not cheap by the time you have bought the Ethernet Card and the Breakout board to match so your still into same or more money.
Then you have to factor in the knowledge required to setup and get the best from these cards. Just Read the Descriptions to see they are not the friendly of beast's hence why I said Steep learning curve required.!
Nice capable cards and software but honestly not for the newbie's or required for a simple Mill like Denford IMO.

[remrendes]

Hi all!
I'm new in a forum and at first sorry for my english.
Why not a Mesa cards if you go for a LinuxCNC?
Now you can use it with a parallel port and later if you need more speed you can upgrade to an ethernet type.

[uli12us]

They have a combination between a ethernet card and the motion Controller.
Its called 7i76e, thats the same as the step/dir card 7i76e but with a ethernetcard with 2 expansion ports plus an additional expansion port via serial link. The other ethernetcard they have, has 4 ports.

[battwell]

i have a uc300 running a large router on uccnc
im so impressed im dumping mach3 on all my other machines
why?- the uccnc trajectory planner is amazing- even when running very fast (20m/min plus) there is no need to switch to exact stop! never rounds corners etc. carving is extremely smooth and accurate etc. (accuracy way better than mach3)
im running mitsubishi ac servos in position mode.
the only thing ive had is a bit of a problem with grounding- causing occasional usb drop outs- although never during a cutting job.
i have done a couple of hunded hours machining with it in nov/december and the only small bug ive found is with soft limits on my machine.
a video of tool length probing can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QyOS9BarM