CNCdrive UC300ETH Mach3 plugin is now available

I don't know if people of this forum are interested at all about the CNC Drive UC300ETH, but anyway, this motion controller had previously only worked (officially) with the UCCNC software, plugin was not released for Mach3 until today...

Now this plugin is officially released by CNC Drive and the UC300ETH, just like every other motion controller they have, can finally be used also with Mach3. If anybody is interested in it, it can download it from their page:

CNCdrive - motion controls

I have been testing this for a while now, and it works great with both Mach3 and UCCNC. The motion controller can be used in a LAN through a LAN switch and router gateway or through direct Ethernet connection, if that is what is preferred by the user. With this driver you can have your CNC in a LAN, with your PC located in a different room or building if wish to do so.

Previously I used the UC300USB, and by upgrading to UC300ETH my speed, with the same CNC hardware and every other electronics, is increased from maximum 5000mm/min to 8000mm/min on X and 10,000mm/min on Y, acceleration increased from 400 to 700. Very nice.

Hi Camera, thanks for the update/share.

What's the difference in the uc300eth vs the uc400eth?

Now there is officially a plugin, will you be staying with mach 3 or going back to the UCCNC control software?

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

Hi Camera, thanks for the update/share.

What's the difference in the uc300eth vs the uc400eth?

Now there is officially a plugin, will you be staying with mach 3 or going back to the UCCNC control software?

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The UC300ETH will accept 24v inputs and can output an analog signal of 0-10v for spindle control. The UC400ETH can only accept 5V inputs and lacks the 0-10v output. There may be other differences. I just built a machine using the UC400ETH and I'm very happy with its speed and reliability but the UC300ETH would have been just as fast and reliable I assume but it would have been simpler to build with. As it was, with the UC400ETH I had to add a 0-10v DAC for converting the PWM signal to the input my VFD required, and also a voltage converter to drop my 24V supply down to 5V for my sensor power/input. The UC400ETH is powered by 24V. It would have been nice if it accepted 24V inputs. I should have planned a little better I guess.

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

Hi Camera, thanks for the update/share.

What's the difference in the uc300eth vs the uc400eth?

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Hi Lee,
The biggest differences are in the number of inputs/outputs. The UC400ETH has 2 standard parallel ports (LPT type) while the UC300ETH has 2 LPT type and 3 DB25 with mostly inputs and additionally even 2 analog inputs and 2 outputs, so it is pretty well equipped and has more in/outputs than I'll ever need. The UC400ETH does not have any analog I/O at all, which isn't really important for me at the moment since I control my spindle via Modbus and RS485ETH.

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

Now there is officially a plugin, will you be staying with mach 3 or going back to the UCCNC control software?

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Most probably I will move everything to UCCNC mecause it is in many ways better. Unfortunately, the move is not that simple because I have to rewrite my macros since Mach uses VB and UCCNC uses C#. Also, UCCNC does not have radius compensation (yet) and that is something I frequently used, so I have to regenerate everything without if I move to UCCNC.

The Mach3 plugin means that I am not in a hurry now, but with the UCCNC and the UC300ETH I get higher speeds and better results than with Mach, so there is indeed an advantage in leaving Mach3. UCCNC has also some functions which does not exist in Mach3, and in general I like it more than I like Mach.

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Originally Posted by A_Camera

Hi Lee,
The biggest differences are in the number of inputs/outputs. The UC400ETH has 2 standard parallel ports (LPT type) while the UC300ETH has 2 LPT type and 3 DB25 with mostly inputs and additionally even 2 analog inputs and 2 outputs, so it is pretty well equipped and has more in/outputs than I'll ever need. The UC400ETH does not have any analog I/O at all, which isn't really important for me at the moment since I control my spindle via Modbus and RS485ETH.

Most probably I will move everything to UCCNC mecause it is in many ways better. Unfortunately, the move is not that simple because I have to rewrite my macros since Mach uses VB and UCCNC uses C#. Also, UCCNC does not have radius compensation (yet) and that is something I frequently used, so I have to regenerate everything without if I move to UCCNC.

The Mach3 plugin means that I am not in a hurry now, but with the UCCNC and the UC300ETH I get higher speeds and better results than with Mach, so there is indeed an advantage in leaving Mach3. UCCNC has also some functions which does not exist in Mach3, and in general I like it more than I like Mach.

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Hi guys, thanks for the info.

They both look like a good buy given the price, so was the 400 designed as a cut down version or something ? ('m going off the notion that "300" comes before "400" and so the 400 is the newer product) is that right?

I like the idea of "LAN" based control for things, but I don't know, something equally doesn't feel right about the control being remote...stuff to think about it guess.

As you say the plugin gives you the best of both for now then, ok keep us posted on your/the progress, I follow you via the youtube ;-).

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

I just built a machine using the UC400ETH and I'm very happy with its speed and reliability but the UC300ETH would have been just as fast and reliable I assume but it would have been simpler to build with.

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Do you have a youtube channel Jumper?

Lee -

Not really a channel. This is the first and only video I've posted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0biZJSnepU

It is of the router I built in one of the first test runs.

Regarding the UC400 being a cut down version of the UC300, although the product numbering would lead you to believe otherwise, I think your're right. I bought the 400 because I wanted the best UCCNC controller and I thought that the 400 was the top of the line based on its product number and thats all the further I looked into it. I think the UC300ETH is better. It wasnt that much of an inconvenience to make the 400 work, just a couple extra components. And it is very fast! My servo's can handle a 500Khz data stream and the UC400 can stream at 400KHz very nicely. The ethernet connection can give you a lot of flexibility if you want to configure your network to work that way. I did not. I bought a dedicated computer to drive the router and simply used the ethernet cable just like one would use a USB cable.

Another thing I like about the UC400ETH is that you dont need another board like a smooth stepper etc. I used a breakout board like this: https://www.winford.com/products/brkg25.php Except mine has different connector that adapted to the UC400. Less than $25.

Lee, the UC300ETH is the brother of UC300USB, which I upgraded from. Those two are identical except for the USB/ETH piggyback interface.

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

The UC300ETH will accept 24v inputs and can output an analog signal of 0-10v for spindle control. The UC400ETH can only accept 5V inputs and lacks the 0-10v output. There may be other differences. I just built a machine using the UC400ETH and I'm very happy with its speed and reliability but the UC300ETH would have been just as fast and reliable I assume but it would have been simpler to build with. As it was, with the UC400ETH I had to add a 0-10v DAC for converting the PWM signal to the input my VFD required, and also a voltage converter to drop my 24V supply down to 5V for my sensor power/input. The UC400ETH is powered by 24V. It would have been nice if it accepted 24V inputs. I should have planned a little better I guess.

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That is partially incorrect. The UC300, just like the UC400, only accepts 5V input levels and can only be fed by 5VDC. The UC300 has 12V outputs, as well as 0-10V, but the voltages are generated through a step up circuit. None of the UCxxx motion controllers are a replacement for a BOB, and none of them have optical isolators, so a BOB is necessary. To be able to connect 24V to the inputs you need to connect a BOB which can take 24V, otherwise you'd fry the inputs of the UC300ETH or UC300USB.

Ok. I directly connected Clearpath Servos which are opto isolated. So I did not need a breakout board. But, as you say others might. Concerning the UC300 inputs, i was mistaken. Thank you for the correction.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

Lee -

Not really a channel. This is the first and only video I've posted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0biZJSnepU

It is of the router I built in one of the first test runs.

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Nice machine.

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

Regarding the UC400 being a cut down version of the UC300, although the product numbering would lead you to believe otherwise, I think your're right.

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It is not a cut-down UC300 at all, it is a completely different model. Yes, the numbering should have been different and according to me it should be called UC200ETH, but never the less, it is totally different design.

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

I bought the 400 because I wanted the best UCCNC controller and I thought that the 400 was the top of the line based on its product number and thats all the further I looked into it. I think the UC300ETH is better. It wasnt that much of an inconvenience to make the 400 work, just a couple extra components. And it is very fast! My servo's can handle a 500Khz data stream and the UC400 can stream at 400KHz very nicely. The ethernet connection can give you a lot of flexibility if you want to configure your network to work that way. I did not. I bought a dedicated computer to drive the router and simply used the ethernet cable just like one would use a USB cable.

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I was going to buy the UC400ETH because it had the Mach3 plugin available, but was contected by Balazs and he asked me to reconsider, not only because they were working on the UC300ETH plugin already, but also because they offered a UCCNC license with the UC300ETH during that period, so I went for the UC300ETH.

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

Another thing I like about the UC400ETH is that you dont need another board like a smooth stepper etc. I used a breakout board like this: https://www.winford.com/products/brkg25.php Except mine has different connector that adapted to the UC400. Less than $25.

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That breakout board is just a bunch of screw terminals, not optically isolated. I'd not use that with any of the CNC Drive products. There is even a warning about this in their manuals.

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The UC300 has 12V outputs, as well as 0-10V

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I don't think it has 12V outputs, because it connects to standard parallel port breakout boards.
Also, I think the analog voltage varies depending on which motherboard you use, and I don't think it does 0-10V without a breakout board, does it?

You are correct about the 0-10V output. I was confusing them with the analog inputs.

The 12V outputs on the analog port are not "outputs", but just 12V.

The UC300eth also has a 400Khz kernel speed.

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Originally Posted by A_Camera

That breakout board is just a bunch of screw terminals, not optically isolated. I'd not use that with any of the CNC Drive products. There is even a warning about this in their manuals.

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I've got something similar but I've also got one of these: http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/252307419456

...as well. There is so many options these days, i think moving away from LTP and/or USB is a good move though.

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Originally Posted by Ger21

You are correct about the 0-10V output. I was confusing them with the analog inputs.

The 12V outputs on the analog port are not "outputs", but just 12V.

The UC300eth also has a 400Khz kernel speed.

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Yes.... well, it is an output, but yes it is just 12V. On when the card is powered up off after power off and in between it outputs 12V on those pins.

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

I've got something similar but I've also got one of these: http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/252307419456

...as well. There is so many options these days, i think moving away from LTP and/or USB is a good move though.

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Yes, definitely agree that LPT and USB are not exactly optimal year 2016.
BTW, I have two identical BOBs. They also have 0-10V and are very goodand in my opinion. That BOB has six optically isolated inputs which are driven separately from the 5V logic if connected properly, outputs are through buffer driver and the relay is useful.

Well had a look at the 300ETH manual and it's not exactly helpful is it ?
22 Pages, 20 of which tell you how to connect the ethernet and then a scant 2 pages giving the wiring of the pins.

aHowever they are all marked output 1, output2, etc, Analog 1, analog 2

Would it really hurt these peole is they supplied a diagram for a working 3 or 4 axis machine with VFD ?
You know it just might, note I said might, improve sales because at the moment anyone who isn't an EE is totally fazed by what has been released.

BTW can it do multiline encoder for lathe ?

The UC300ETH basically has 5 parallel ports. There are different motherboards available which dictate the input and output pins.
Two ports are standard, and 3 ports use pins 2-9 as inputs.
The CNC4PC M44 board has 3 parallel ports, and two special ports, one for inputs, one for outputs. One of the 3 is standard and two use pins 2-9 as inputs.

You plug in your breakout boards and wire it any way you want, just like a standard parallel port.

The analog I/O uses a separate header.

There is no lathe screen at this time. It does rigid tapping, so it may be able to use a multiline encoder. Not positive, though. Send them an email, they are very good with customer service.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ger21

The UC300ETH basically has 5 parallel ports. There are different motherboards available which dictate the input and output pins.
Two ports are standard, and 3 ports use pins 2-9 as inputs.
The CNC4PC M44 board has 3 parallel ports, and two special ports, one for inputs, one for outputs. One of the 3 is standard and two use pins 2-9 as inputs.

You plug in your breakout boards and wire it any way you want, just like a standard parallel port.

The analog I/O uses a separate header.

There is no lathe screen at this time. It does rigid tapping, so it may be able to use a multiline encoder. Not positive, though. Send them an email, they are very good with customer service.

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What's your hardware setup Gerry ?

I'm confused, so do you need to buy a motherboard or dose it come with the one in the pic and shown in the manual?

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Originally Posted by John S

Well had a look at the 300ETH manual and it's not exactly helpful is it ?

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What help do you need or what is missing according to you?

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Originally Posted by John S

22 Pages, 20 of which tell you how to connect the ethernet and then a scant 2 pages giving the wiring of the pins.

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Well, the 13 page about the network setup is a bit too much, probably could be cut down to 1 or 2, but if it was, I bet you somebody would complain about being too condense. Actually, 5 pages are about wiring and that's all needed, at least for most people. I agree though that they should have combined the UC300USB and UC300ETH manuals, because especially with Mach3, some features are not explained in the UC300ETH manual.

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Originally Posted by John S

aHowever they are all marked output 1, output2, etc, Analog 1, analog 2

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No, they are called Port #1, Port #2, Port #3, Port #4, Port #5 and Analog. Pins which are called "Input" are input pins, and those called "Outputs" are obviously output pins. Analog input 1 and 2 marks the pins which have the function of being analog input 1 and 2, likewise for analog outputs 1 and 2. If an input or output pin has the same name, it has obviously the same function because they are opposite each other and they are electrically connected to each other, for example there are two pins marked Analog input/output 1 and 2 and those are obviously the same (i.e. analog input 1 on pin 3 is the same as analog input 1 on pin 11) and not typo.

I think all that is very clear to anyone with a not so negative attitude.

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Originally Posted by John S

Would it really hurt these peole is they supplied a diagram for a working 3 or 4 axis machine with VFD ?

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Would it really hurt being more positive...?

Perhaps they assume that a person buying such card knows why he/she is buying one and can connect it. Regardless of which, it is mentioned in the manual that it should be connected to a breakout board, and all those I have seen had a diagram about how to connect a machine to their BOB.

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Originally Posted by John S

You know it just might, note I said might, improve sales because at the moment anyone who isn't an EE is totally fazed by what has been released.

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You know it just might, note I said might, not really matter. Why? because people who are seriously interested have a different attitude and are willing to risk this small sum of money just to try it out. Also, people in general know that CNC Drive is providing excellent support, so I am pretty sure that a person who has problems with connecting the motion controller would get all the help needed. But... there will always be people who are never going to be satisfied... If they would have a manual containing hundreds of pages, describing basically everything, the price of the product would be higher and then some other people would complain that they are too expensive. Remember that CNC Drive is not a hobby for them, it is a company paying their daily bread. Also, perhaps very high volume is not their target, some time it is better to find the customers who KNOW what they need and want than finding too many customers who don't have a clue.

No, you don't need to be an EE to be able to use their products, but sure, you need to have some basic electrical understanding about what you are doing and why. You not really qualify as an EE if you manage to connect their UC300ETH.

This just got posted to the tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1wqZFhTCVs

OK, so it looks as though you get the MB with the ETH version?

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

This just got posted to the tube: https://youtu.be/_1wqZFhTCVs

OK, so it looks as though you get the MB with the ETH version?

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Still need BOB's or Isolation Lee they MB only provides headers which arent Optoisolated.

One thing that baffels me with this Company is they provide good hardware that is stable and with decent software/backup provide it on Motherboard with headers but then cripple it by not providing isolated I/O system that can handle 24V.

It wouldn't take much more effort or cost to add this and make it much more usable piece of hardware. I would use them in heart beat on machines I build if didn't require BOB and ran from 24V not 5V.

Shame.!!!

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Originally Posted by A_Camera

What help do you need or what is missing according to you?

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Wiring diagram or more information.

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Well, the 13 page about the network setup is a bit too much, probably could be cut down to 1 or 2, but if it was, I bet you somebody would complain about being too condense. Actually, 5 pages are about wiring and that's all needed, at least for most people. I agree though that they should have combined the UC300USB and UC300ETH manuals, because especially with Mach3, some features are not explained in the UC300ETH manual.

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We must be looking at different manuals then. Last page in mine where it finally lets go of the ethernet wrestling match is page 18 of 22
Pages 19, 20 and 21 cover pins in terms of inputs and output numbers, page 22 is a picture

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No, they are called Port #1, Port #2, Port #3, Port #4, Port #5 and Analog. Pins which are called "Input" are input pins, and those called "Outputs" are obviously output pins. Analog input 1 and 2 marks the pins which have the function of being analog input 1 and 2, likewise for analog outputs 1 and 2. If an input or output pin has the same name, it has obviously the same function because they are opposite each other and they are electrically connected to each other, for example there are two pins marked Analog input/output 1 and 2 and those are obviously the same (i.e. analog input 1 on pin 3 is the same as analog input 1 on pin 11) and not typo.

I think all that is very clear to anyone with a not so negative attitude.

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Not being told anything and my reply is negative. ? Then to be told on a forum I need one of Arturo Duncan's cards to make it work ?

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Would it really hurt being more positive...?

Perhaps they assume that a person buying such card knows why he/she is buying one and can connect it. Regardless of which, it is mentioned in the manual that it should be connected to a breakout board, and all those I have seen had a diagram about how to connect a machine to their BOB.

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Just looked at the CNC4PC site and the M44 board which now tells me I need a C23 / C25 / C32 M21 / M23 / M25 / M27 / or M41 board as well.

Glad that cleared that up.

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You know it just might, note I said might, not really matter. Why? because people who are seriously interested have a different attitude and are willing to risk this small sum of money just to try it out. Also, people in general know that CNC Drive is providing excellent support, so I am pretty sure that a person who has problems with connecting the motion controller would get all the help needed. But... there will always be people who are never going to be satisfied... If they would have a manual containing hundreds of pages, describing basically everything, the price of the product would be higher and then some other people would complain that they are too expensive. Remember that CNC Drive is not a hobby for them, it is a company paying their daily bread. Also, perhaps very high volume is not their target, some time it is better to find the customers who KNOW what they need and want than finding too many customers who don't have a clue.

No, you don't need to be an EE to be able to use their products, but sure, you need to have some basic electrical understanding about what you are doing and why. You not really qualify as an EE if you manage to connect their UC300ETH.

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Did you ever see the picture of the shelves above my desk where I have probably built over 100 CNC machines ?
It's full of boards that don't work, promise the earth and never deliver or take your money and never reappear again.

Sorry negative or not, I don't have the time to piss about and why should I . ? If the manufactures can't supply a finished working product then stuff them, there are plenty who can.

I'm SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF wasting months and years of my life whilst idle people get others to do their work for them.
Why should I buy 2, 3 or even 4 pieces of equipment off different suppliers who won't even talk to one another and I'm expected to be UNPAID piggy in the middle.

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Originally Posted by John S

I'm SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF wasting months and years of my life whilst idle people get others to do their work for them.
Why should I buy 2, 3 or even 4 pieces of equipment off different suppliers who won't even talk to one another and I'm expected to be UNPAID piggy in the middle.

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Ye and you ain't got many years left ya Old Git so Chill out else you'll blow fuse early. . :thumsup:

Yes Jazz but it has an inverse reaction, the more bad press they get the more they have to pull their socks up and the better it makes it for everyone else.

It's just a pity it has to be this way.

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Originally Posted by John S

Yes Jazz but it has an inverse reaction, the more bad press they get the more they have to pull their socks up and the better it makes it for everyone else.

It's just a pity it has to be this way.

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Ye 100% agree John but I'd hate to have come Visit you in hospital over Bloody BOB. . :hysterical:

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Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Still need BOB's or Isolation Lee they MB only provides headers which arent Optoisolated.

One thing that baffels me with this Company is they provide good hardware that is stable and with decent software/backup provide it on Motherboard with headers but then cripple it by not providing isolated I/O system that can handle 24V.

It wouldn't take much more effort or cost to add this and make it much more usable piece of hardware. I would use them in heart beat on machines I build if didn't require BOB and ran from 24V not 5V.

Shame.!!!

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Yea understood...cheers

Its probably just the evolution of the product and so on, USB is 5v, allot of hobby guys have for years/probably run 5v systems, they probably didn't expect the need to cater for such professional setup's like the ones you build. Who knows (Camera?), the next model/version may have iso and 24v...

Or is it to do with the pros and cons of connecting to a host via USB vs PP vs Ethernet etc, electrical noise playing games but not having an effect on system I mean...

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Originally Posted by John S

Why should I buy 2, 3 or even 4 pieces of equipment off different suppliers who won't even talk to one another and I'm expected to be UNPAID piggy in the middle.

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I've got my own answer now guys thanks, I was mobile when asked and playing kindergarten cop so didn't watch the video properly...

To order and recive the MB and PCB as pictured, its the UC300ETH-5LPT you need to order, the 5LPT part of that being the bit to watch for, I dont think it matters if you order from them direct at the mo, as at the time of writing this, they only have the ETH-5LPT listed in their web shop anyway!

The different/additional motherboard's you can get, are just options/choices from other suppliers if you only have the UC300ETH PCB.

I had a read through the manual as well. I would have liked to see little things like polarities on the analogue outputs and inputs. I don't expect to have to measure this kind of thing before wiring it into a system. This was the wiring manual, I think. I assumed that another doc would talk about configuration in Mach3, port and pin numbering, etc. This is the kind of thing that's obvious to someone who has used the device before but can be a real time-waster first time you meet one. Does look an interesting device, though, and if I weren't building in a CSMIO I might have considered one - plus the extra boards for opto-isolation, etc.

I thought 24v inputs was not about being "professional" but was about being far less susceptible to EM noise, thus yielding a more robust system?

It's just occurred to me that I have a bag of postage stamp sized boards which do bi-directional conversion of signals between two different voltage levels ;-)

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

Its probably just the evolution of the product and so on, USB is 5v, allot of hobby guys have for years/probably run 5v systems, they probably didn't expect the need to cater for such professional setup's like the ones you build.

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That's just it Lee it costs so little extra for these guys to do it right. It shouldn't be considered Professional level. It should be a standard for CNC.(To save loss of hair.!!)
Only reason they don't include on the Mainboard is so they can sell BOB's.!!!!

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Originally Posted by Neale

Does look an interesting device, though, and if I weren't building in a CSMIO I might have considered one - plus the extra boards for opto-isolation, etc.

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Neil while it's nice board there's no way I'd swap for Cslabs IP-M other than to use there UCCnc software. If using Mach3 then it's still got long way go to compete with the quality of Cslabs units.
Not until they dump the requirement for external BOB or Isolation and provide 24v I/O and remove the need for 5v psu would I consider using them, even if the UCcnc software is better than Mach3.

If Cslabs would just change there policy and allow independant homing of the Slaved axis for router/plasma type machines they would blow every other PC based Motion controller at this level away. Can't believe they don't see the potential sales there losing because lack of this one feature and believe me I have told begged and pleaded with them on many occasions.

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Originally Posted by John S

Wiring diagram or more information.

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I am not sure a wiring diagram is really necessary in this manual. The manual itself can be improved, I agree, but wireing diagram should not be necessary, after all, this card is basically "only" a parallel port interface. Yes, it is more advanced than a simple interface, but still, you could see it as 5 individual parallel ports, 2 standard LPT and 3 mostly inputs. What they should perhaps describe better is the analog part, how to use it and so on. They should also refer to the UC300USB manual, which in my opinion is actually better.

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Originally Posted by John S

We must be looking at different manuals then. Last page in mine where it finally lets go of the ethernet wrestling match is page 18 of 22
Pages 19, 20 and 21 cover pins in terms of inputs and output numbers, page 22 is a picture

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We are looking at the same manual, but interpret it differently... I think. The Ethernet wrestling starts on page 4 and ends on page 16. before and after that is hardware information about the card which I think is important. But I agree that the manual could be improved.

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Originally Posted by John S

Not being told anything and my reply is negative. ? Then to be told on a forum I need one of Arturo Duncan's cards to make it work ?

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No, why would you need Arturo Duncan's cards to make it work? I don't even know who he is... :) just using a cheap BOB like this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252307419456

That's all you need to make it work. £5 card, unless you want something fancier. I have two of those, but one is enough. Not very expensive at all, and it is also clearly said in the manual, so "not being told anything" is really an understatement.

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Originally Posted by John S

Just looked at the CNC4PC site and the M44 board which now tells me I need a C23 / C25 / C32 M21 / M23 / M25 / M27 / or M41 board as well.

Glad that cleared that up.

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I don't have that card. People talk about it and I really don't know why. In fact, I have no idea what all that is about. All you need is a simple BOB and if you don't care about buffering or isolation you can skip even that. With the card delivered is an IDC26 - DB25 ribbon cable which can be used to connect any parallel port based mill to the UC300ETH, but it is better to buy a BOB to get proper isolation and a screw terminal. That's all.

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Originally Posted by John S

Did you ever see the picture of the shelves above my desk where I have probably built over 100 CNC machines ?
It's full of boards that don't work, promise the earth and never deliver or take your money and never reappear again.

Sorry negative or not, I don't have the time to piss about and why should I . ? If the manufactures can't supply a finished working product then stuff them, there are plenty who can.

I'm SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF wasting months and years of my life whilst idle people get others to do their work for them.
Why should I buy 2, 3 or even 4 pieces of equipment off different suppliers who won't even talk to one another and I'm expected to be UNPAID piggy in the middle.

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Well, I feel sorry for you. ...but I have a stupid question... if your time is so precious and don't have any to waste, why waste it in this thread? It is obvious that all you want to do is negative bashing of a product you have no clue about, so why not use your precious time for something more useful and positive than trashing my thread and spreading negative BS? It is neither my fault nor CNC Drive's that you feel miserable. Why you waste moths and years I have no idea, but even if I had, I can't do much about. Better to contact somebody who can help you, because I can't.

I don't care how many hundreds of CNC you have build or not. I have just built one and upgrade that one after my needs. First USB motion controller I bought was crap, after that I discovered CNC Drive's UC300USB which I happily used without trouble for a year or so and when they released the UC300ETH I knew what I was buying and from who, so I have absolutely no doubt in their products... Feel free to have a different opinion, but not knowing much about the product does not really make your opinion very credible regarding their products, the company or even their manuals, which you obviously misunderstood based on your comments about all the cards "needed".

Im trying to think of all the equipment on my router that is not opto isolated that i have connected directly to my UC4400ETH. The servos are, as I recall the vfd is, so I believe the only thing that leaves is three sensors and a DAC. And I think I remember reading in the uc400 eth manual that's the inputs can sink a maximum of 20 milliamps? And I was careful to make sure that the power converter for the switches and the DAC all share a common ground with the uc400 eth. My point is, I didn't use a breakout board. The breakout board I used was simply an expansion of the connections on the uc400 eth. I could be wrong, but I don't think that a breakout board is absolutely necessary. At least mine's working fine without it right now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Still need BOB's or Isolation Lee they MB only provides headers which arent Optoisolated.

One thing that baffels me with this Company is they provide good hardware that is stable and with decent software/backup provide it on Motherboard with headers but then cripple it by not providing isolated I/O system that can handle 24V.

It wouldn't take much more effort or cost to add this and make it much more usable piece of hardware. I would use them in heart beat on machines I build if didn't require BOB and ran from 24V not 5V.

Shame.!!!

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They designed and built a prototype two years ago, but had to shelf it at the time, as they were too busy working on their software and their ethernet boards. Hopefully at some point they'll get back to it.

Attachment 19596

If enough people ask them for it, maybe they'll get to it quicker.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

What's your hardware setup Gerry ?

I'm confused, so do you need to buy a motherboard or dose it come with the one in the pic and shown in the manual?

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I think that it depends where you buy it from.
CNC4PC sells the motherboards separately. I think if you buy it from CNC Drive it comes with their 5 port motherboard.

Currently, it's sitting on my desk with a $5 chinese breakout board, plugged into the M44 motherboard. I'm just using it for testing and screen design work right now.

Not sure what breakout boards I'll use on my router, as it's still a year away. Maybe the C62, and an M23 for additional 24V inputs.
Or two C10's and an M23, which is a lot cheaper.

It's really flexible, and lets you do pretty much whatever you want.

I'll be running a mix of four DMM 400w AC servos and two steppers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magicniner

I thought 24v inputs was not about being "professional" but was about being far less susceptible to EM noise, thus yielding a more robust system?

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100% correct and just how it should be done. 5V is ok running clocks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neale

I had a read through the manual as well. I would have liked to see little things like polarities on the analogue outputs and inputs. I don't expect to have to measure this kind of thing before wiring it into a system. This was the wiring manual, I think. I assumed that another doc would talk about configuration in Mach3, port and pin numbering, etc. This is the kind of thing that's obvious to someone who has used the device before but can be a real time-waster first time you meet one. Does look an interesting device, though, and if I weren't building in a CSMIO I might have considered one - plus the extra boards for opto-isolation, etc.

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Did you miss to read page 18?

Quote:

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All output pins are TTL level with 0/5Volts output Voltage levels and an absolute maximum of +-20mAmps current per output channel. All inputs are TTL compatible and accept 0/5Volts Voltage levels.

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Then on page 19:

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The board also has an IDC16 analogue I/O port with 2 analog inputs and 2 analogue 0-10V outputs.

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Isn't that clear enough? I am sure it is pretty obvious which polarities inputs/outputs are since they are referenced to GND, so what exactly are you missing? A "+" sign in front of every one of them? It

The Mach3 plugin is like two days old (officially)... the manual was written long BEFORE, but if you have questions, I am sure they can answer you, and tell you to have a look in the UC300USB manual. It is just a parallel port converter for crying out loud! What kind of help do you need? It is pretty well explained in the Mach3 manual how to configure it, and the Internet is full of information about it as well.

I can't understand this whining about the extra BOB needed. Is really £5 so much money, or what is the problem?

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

I could be wrong, but I don't think that a breakout board is absolutely necessary. At least mine's working fine without it right now.

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No it's not absolutely necessary and it will work fine right upto the point what evers connected to it doesn't. Then it releases the magic smoke smoke.!:angel:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1Jumper10

Im trying to think of all the equipment on my router that is not opto isolated that i have connected directly to my UC4400ETH. The servos are, as I recall the vfd is, so I believe the only thing that leaves is three sensors and a DAC. And I think I remember reading in the uc400 eth manual that's the inputs can sink a maximum of 20 milliamps? And I was careful to make sure that the power converter for the switches and the DAC all share a common ground with the uc400 eth. My point is, I didn't use a breakout board. The breakout board I used was simply an expansion of the connections on the uc400 eth. I could be wrong, but I don't think that a breakout board is absolutely necessary. At least mine's working fine without it right now.

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...which is exactly why you need a BOB. The BOB will provide you with optically isolated inputs which you can drive with 24V and buffered outputs which can sinc more than 20mA.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magicniner

I thought 24v inputs was not about being "professional" but was about being far less susceptible to EM noise, thus yielding a more robust system?

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Again, that's taken care of by a £5 BOB.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A_Camera

I can't understand this whining about the extra BOB needed. Is really £5 so much money, or what is the problem?

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It's not about the cost it's the fact it uses 5V and all the instabilty that comes with it.! Anyone who's had noise issues will know all too well why 5V I/O is best avoided for stable system.

Here's a preview of my upcoming UCCNC Screenset.
Similar to the Mach3 2010 Screenset, but more modern, and more features and user control.

Attachment 19597