Pci or Ethernet motion control?

[Clive S]

I'm looking for the best option for the motion control cards and software. is there a performance benefit of a pci card over an Ethernet?

To me the Ethernet option looks neater (Mesa 7I76E) but is there more chance of interference on the cable?

I use a 5i25 pci card with the 7176 I think there are more examples of that than the 7i76E but although there is nothing wrong with the 7i76 if I was buying them again I might go the 7i76E route, you won't have a prob with he cable.

I take it that you know that both of them will take two mpg encoders and and spindle encoder.

[Ross77]

Thanks Clive.
Yes its bit of a minefield so only just getting to grips with it. I was almost sold on LinuxCNC but the setup time is still bothering me. I was looking at UCCNC as the software looks nice and easy, only problem is that I don't think they have a lathe option yet.

UCCNC also has an Ethernet controller but would need a bob so the 7176e looks more self contained and is 24v compatible.

[Clive S]

Ross The 7I76E can be powered with a single 8-24V supply if you only need 2A for the logic side or separate 5V and 8-24V of the inputs and outputs then you can have a much greater amperage available.

Linuxcnc does require a learning curve to get going. I do use it on my mill and lathe using just one 7I76 for both with two configs. I also have two MPG's that I use between the two machines.

If you decide to go down that route I can give you my config files as a starting point.

[Ross77]

Thanks Clive
How easy is it to switch machines? have you got a switch box or just hot plug it?

I might have to try Linux from an lpt port to see how I get on with it.

I really want a plug and play system but they don't seem to exist :0)

[Clive S]

Thanks Clive
How easy is it to switch machines? have you got a switch box or just hot plug it?

I might have to try Linux from an lpt port to see how I get on with it.

I really want a plug and play system but they don't seem to exist :0)

With the 7i76 and 7i76E there are about 34 input and outputs with 5 axis two mpg's and spindle control encoder for threading A & B + index.
So I have both lathe and mill wired to the card and use the two mpg to do both.

I just select which config I want ie just one at a time.

I used to use the lathe from the PP with just a 100 slot disc plus index pulse and it was fine for threading.

PP has 5 inputs two were required for the encoder one for the O'shite button and two spare (could be z and x home)