Thread: Plcm-e4
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13-07-2014 #1
I'm currently trying to decide what motion controller/BOB combo I'm going to use for my new router build.
I'm going with 3 axis, dual stepper on x-axis, so I need slaving and at least one extra axis to add a 3d printer addon (I know, not the best 3d printer).
I can't really decide what to get at the moment, probably leaning toward either an ESS + some random BOB or a PLCM-E3 with some BOB (currently undecided). ESS is hard to get in EU though.
Lo and behold, I then stumble upon a board called PLCM-E4 on purelogics site. It appears to be a slightly slimmed down version of the E3, but with a BOB integrated.
http://www.purelogic.ru/files/downlo...er/PLCM-E4.pdf + google translate works pretty good.
What do you think? Should I send an email to Purelogic, see if I can buy it?
Or, should I get a PLCM-E3, if so what BOB should I get?
http://www.zappautomation.co.uk/elec...out-board.html looks like it's both the B1 bob and an E3 if I go by the pictures and the price tag, but the description is rather vague. Does this include the E3?
I realise this is a bit of a ramble, but I'm rather confused at the moment, trying to decide what to get. Cost is a bit of a concern, and I wouldn't want to spend as much on a bob as I do on the motion controller as it seems like some people do.
Any tips?Last edited by Tumblebeer; 13-07-2014 at 08:30 PM.
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13-07-2014 #2
Don't short cut the BOB esp with a Motion control card. BOB's are the single biggest bottleneck and pain in the arse if poor quality.
I'd enquire about the E4 but got a feeling it's still in R&D.
The B1 is just a BOB but it's designed to take full advantage of the E3 and allows full use of all the I/O. It's essentially 2 Bob's in one with PWM spindle control.
If you don't need all the I/O the E3 provides then you can get away with just using the PLC6x or the PLC4x-G2. The G2 provides PWM spindle control the 6x doesn't.
If your going for the ESS then I'd strongly suggest you go for the PMDX126.Last edited by JAZZCNC; 13-07-2014 at 09:31 PM.
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13-07-2014 #3
I was getting a bit confused about this as well, when I was looking at the Zapp site earlier (and especially as I haven't found decent English documentation for these devices). Thanks for the additional info.
One more question, though - when these boards talk about PWM spindle speed control, I am assuming that they have some kind of PWM->true analogue converter on board, which takes a PWM speed signal from Mach3 and gives a 0-10V (usually) signal that connects directly to the VFD. Is that right? Nothing else needed for Mach3 spindle speed control?
- Brian
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13-07-2014 #4
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23-02-2020 #5
first, hi and sorry to bring up a old post,i brought one of these and im yet to connect it up. I am a little confused as to were the step,dir enable are on this board,do i just pick which ever?
regards
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23-02-2020 #6
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23-02-2020 #7
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23-02-2020 #8
That's just a DB25 terminal block. You really need a proper breakout board that offers some signal isolation to protect the controller. The breakout board will also provide a few other features like Spindle speed controller and relay.
It's been a while since I used the PLCM-e4 so I've forgotten exactly what it provides regards input/outputs etc but think i'm correct in saying to get full use you'll need either dedicated board that offers enough I/O to make full use or will need 2 or more standard breakout boards.
I'll see if can find the manual to refresh my memory.!
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24-02-2020 #9
https://purelogic.ru/data/docs/elekt..._manual_en.pdf
link to the manual, to be honist i just wanted a all in one type board, if theis gets to confusing i might just get rid and buy a CSMIO/IP-M type
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24-02-2020 #10
Firstly, I'll admit to being cautious to reply - because if you have to ask the question then you clearly are less than confident with what you're doing - don't take that the wrong way.
Jazz is mostly right - however I think you can afford to skip a few of the nice-to-haves. You can use the Port#1 outputs to directly drive your stepper drivers - the drivers pretty much all have Opto Isolated inputs, so the risk of damage is limited to getting your wiring correct in the first place. The Russian manual is shite - there's no specification for the buffered outputs but lets assume that they can source 20mA at 5V - then designate yourself the step/dir for each axis (chose just one to start with!) and configure Mach accordingly, and wire the output to the driver step+ / dir+ inputs (two, one for each) and ground the step- / dir- inputs on the driver.
For inputs (limit switches etc) I wouldn't use the Port#1 inputs directly without a BoB, for Jazz's reason of isolation - but then the main board has 16 isolated inputs that you can use - go for them. You also have a 0-10V output for the spindle analogue input and any of 8 relays to help control the spindle & other bits. Plenty to go at. To answer your original question - yes, you have to define the mapping of step/dirs yourself to the port #1 outputs. Leave the EN's open for now on the stepper drivers.
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