I don't know if you're committed to the Mesa cards yet but have you checked out Pico System's step and direction card. It's more expensive but may be a better fit for the Gecko drives. http://pico-systems.com/osc2.5/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=30 We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. -Thomas Edison, inventor (1847-1931)
>________________________________ > From: Jeshua Lacock <[email protected]> >To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) <[email protected]> >Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2012 4:14 PM >Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Mesa counter card? > > >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 > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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
