Connecting to a CNC machine, pros and cons of USB vs PP vs Ethernet etc.

[JAZZCNC]

Both Ethernet and usb are digital so noise is likely to effect both if large enough, i have my uc300 running an inch away from my 2200w vfd and two inches from a honking great 55v toroidal transformer without issue so sounds like your noise may have been in your power supply, were you using ac filters? either that or there was something massively wrong happening in the next room.

No offense meant to you Jon but I'm doing this all the time and know all about what or not to do. The particular "next room" incident was actually a Compressor with faulty starter but the more the problem was the USB Smooth stepper had a design flaw so didn't take much to upset it. (It was one of the very first models.!! I've since tried newer versions but still had problems.!)

Regards the uc300 then fire up a Tig or Plasma cutter up near by and see how it reacts.! Vfd's and torodial supplys are nothing and it would be very bad state if they couldn't live along side one or both.
It's the things that go off around the machine that seem to affect USB/PC but what exactly I'm yet to determine and believe me I've looked and tried to put my finger on what causes it.!

End of the day I'm into building and using a CNC machine and haven't got time to chase the many things that can bring it down. What I can do is eliminate using those that don't meet the mark by testing them as I go along building machines.
First test is the Tig/Plasma test and then I work backwards from there.!!. . Very few USB devices Pass this test.!

LinuxCNC on BeagleBone Black? A back of the envelope calculation suggests that I can have my entire dedicated control computer as well as software and breakout for the cost of the Mach 3 license alone; that's a lot of difference.

Ah ah now we get to the meet of the Beef.!! . . . Linux Geek. . . Wanting to Pick a fight with Mach user's.!! . . . . Well Not happening I'm afraid been there too many times.! . . . Jog on.!