Pci or Ethernet motion control?

[m_c]

If you want a system that's more plug and play, then you have to pay for it. And even at that, there will still be a certain amount of work you'll need to do yourself.

Personally, I'd go for ethernet, as it means should the computer fail, you unplug it, and plug in a different computer. I usually run cheap computers of ebay, which are generally reliable, but my laptop contains backups for all my machines, so should a computer fail, I can be up and running again very quickly (I do rely on my machines to make money, so I like to have contingency plans should things fail).

As you want it for a lathe, turn options are pretty limited. You have to consider what you'd like to do, and how you'd like to do it.
As much as it's falling out of favour and having some well documented bugs, Mach 3 is probably still the most comprehensive option for turn. Good turn support, and good turn wizards.
Mach 4 the last I checked, although now having turn support, I don't think the wizards were available.
However, with either of the Mach options, you have to pay for the license and suitable hardware, so it gets expensive. And you have to ensure your selected hardware option supports turn functions I.e. threading.

PathPilot looks good, but I gave up trying to hack it to run a test setup.

I use Dynomotion's KMotionCNC, however it has no wizards of any form (everything I do is pretty repetitive, but if I was doing small quantities of simple parts, I would switch back to Mach 3 for the wizards).

There are other turn options, but from memory the prices of the required hardware and software take a good jump from those listed above, and I'm having a complete mind blank as to their names!
Just remembered, FlashCut is one I was thinking of, but they don't publish prices.

The other option of course, are the standalone controllers, however you won't be wanting to transfer one of those between machines.

[Ross77]

Hi Mc
Pathpilot was the main reason I was looking at Linux but the advice seems to be that you need a good understanding of Linux. I just don't have the time at the moment and just need to get the lathe and mill working.

I'm not to bothered about transferring from machine to machine but having the same program to run all the machines would be good so I don't have to learn and remember multiple programmes.

I was looking at the 4axis controllers on ebay for 150 quid, they look like a good standalone option.

[Ross77]

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)

Loving the "O'shite" button, might have to get a few of them. Didn't think of running both from one card, would be good for testing to make sure it works ok. ultimately I would probably need both machines running at the same time.

Did you get Pathpilot working then?

[m_c]

I was looking at the 4axis controllers on ebay for 150 quid, they look like a good standalone option.

I've not looked at those in detail, however I suspect those ones will not support turn functions like threading and diameter mode. Also I'm not sure what tool offset tables the cheap controllers support. On a mill, re-zeroing isn't a major problem after tool changes, but on a lathe, it's a nightmare.

[Ross77]

Thanks for all the replies, good to have a varied response.

Boyan- have you used them on a lathe, or know of examples on a lathe?

So the Ethernet looks to be the best then from a practical standpoint, is there any performance benefit for pci over Ethernet?

[Clive S]

So the Ethernet looks to be the best then from a practical standpoint, is there any performance benefit for pci over Ethernet?

If you a thinking linuxcnc then there is no difference in performance but if you want a longer cable from the pc to the control box then Ethernet is the winner.

I use Ethernet with Mach3 to a Russian controller on the router.

I have no experience with the UC300ETH so can't comment.

You will have to think if threading is important and if you want to control the spindle speed to be able to use G96 CSP like;- http://www.mmsonline.com/columns/the...-surface-speed

Being able to use diameter mode or radius mode etc. and ATC need to be considered if you so wish.

[A_Camera]

So the Ethernet looks to be the best then from a practical standpoint, is there any performance benefit for pci over Ethernet?

The UC300ETH has a maximum pulsing of 400kHz but my drivers support maximum 200kHz only. I don't know the PCI card so I can't compare.

[Ross77]

better get over to the Linux and UCCNC forums to see what suits my needs then.

Got a spare Dell OptiPlex with a parallel port so might have to set it up and have a play. Cheers