USB and Ethernet Mach3 motion controller PLCM-E3

[Jonathan]

Documentation isn't very clear.

Indeed...

Although this bit implies its output is the same pinout as the parallel port:

The branded software enables one to use the I/O ports of the
controller in MACH3 instead of computer built-in LPT ports. If you
were earlier using a computer LPT port to connect drivers, you will
need to disconnect the connector from the computer LPT port, connect
it to the PLCM controller and install the appropriate plug-in
for MACH3.
Each controller has at least one port completely matching the
physical LPT port.

If so that sounds like a good idea if you've already make your control box. Just plug this in between and go.

Still not liking mainly the lack of information about the interface/software/drivers but also the 100KHz limitation and only being compatible with Mach3.

[John S]

If so that sounds like a good idea if you've already make your control box. Just plug this in between and go.

Still not liking mainly the lack of information about the interface/software/drivers but also the 100KHz limitation and only being compatible with Mach3.

So if you have already built your box and you plug this in between what do you achieve except a hole in the wallet ?

It worked before you plug it in so why ?

100KHz isn't any worry for me as I still use the base frequency of 25Kh, plenty fast enough at my age dick slapping is no longer an art form.
Again Mach suits me, it works and you don't have to be a geek to use it.

[Jonathan]

So if you have already built your box and you plug this in between what do you achieve except a hole in the wallet ?

Yeah I wasn't suggesting anyone should buy it!

100KHz isn't any worry for me as I still use the base frequency of 25Kh, plenty fast enough at my age dick slapping is no longer an art form.
Again Mach suits me, it works and you don't have to be a geek to use it.

I only use 30KHz. In the vast majority of cases >100KHz is pointless. It's only useful to achieve high resolution with servos, so if you don't use servos you are basically paying for the convenience of a USB cable, which does seem rather silly.

I think having and operating CNC machines already qualifies us as geeks so it's a bit late for that. I had a couple of unresolvable problems with Mach3 last week, so I promptly switched to LinuxCNC. No regrets.