On Apr 8, 2012, at 7:37 AM, Viesturs Lācis wrote: > 2012/4/8 Jeshua Lacock <[email protected]>: >> >> I emailed Mesa to inquire about purchasing, and it looks like I would want >> the firmware set to support the Gecko 540. (that is the only Gecko >> controller they list support for). > > What support in firmware does one or other particular drive need, if > it is fed only step/dir signals? The only difference is the pinout. > > I see 2 options: > 1) You purchase a 5i25 card with firmware for standard 540 and then > rewire Your 320s to match that pinout; > in this case do not forget to find out, if that firmware includes also > encoders; > 2) supply Mesa with Your exact pinout and try to convince them to make > a custom firmware specially for You with all the stepgens, encoders > etc.;
Option 2 is obviously much closer to ideal. ;) That is what I will aim for. > 2012/4/8 Andy Pugh <[email protected]>: >> >> Basically, yes, though there are a number of other folk who can make >> firmwares (including me) and the instructions are on the Wiki. > > Andy, 5i25 card is different story from other Mesa cards - loading > firmware is not that easy, as a consequence of making the board > simplier and cheaper. Basically now one should ask Mesa people to > (create and) load the firmware in the card - the tools for users to do > it have not been made available yet. Peter once said that we can > expect them in near future. If it makes any difference for my setup, I don't mind if I have to purchase the 5i23 or even the 5i22. Of course those cards seem like way overkill for my needs, but I would rather purchase something that requires minimal rewiring as time is money. > 2012/4/8 Jeshua Lacock <[email protected]>: >> >> I was just thinking about the set up as I understand it (i.e. the Mesa card >> replacing my parallel port connected directly to the Geckos). It seems like >> the encoders would have to connect to the Mesa card to benefit from any >> increased encoder bandwidth. >> >> Am I missing something? > > Well, from Your first post on this thread, I understand that the > encoders are the reason for getting the Mesa card in first place :)) > And the hardware step generation is just a side benefit... I guess I am confused because you had stated: >>> (actually You might get away with no rewiring at all) Can anyone tell me how I would wire up the encoders? Are they connected through the parallel cable, or some other way? If anyone from Mesa is listening, can you provide a crude diagram? I am a visual learner, so that would be most appreciated. Best, Jeshua Lacock Founder/Engineer 3DTOPO Incorporated <http://3DTOPO.com> Phone: 208.462.4171 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For Developers, A Lot Can Happen In A Second. Boundary is the first to Know...and Tell You. Monitor Your Applications in Ultra-Fine Resolution. Try it FREE! http://p.sf.net/sfu/Boundary-d2dvs2 _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
