Alternative to PC based Cnc controllers

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John,

That's a very well-reasoned comment; thank you

My only fears about the one-box approach are to do with its [presumed] "all eggs in one basket" failure mode ... But, to be honest, if the price is reasonable, and the build-quality appropriate; why worry ?

I suggest that this controller merits a detailed description, and a thorough review, in MEW.

MichaelG.

Could you please elaborate further or provide a link to any discussion of this issue? (I can't see anything speciific on the mach support forum)

**LINK**

I (and many other people I think) work mostly in work coordinates, zeroing Mach 3 to the end of the work for Z and the axis for X. This wizard starts by inserting what I think is an unnecessary move to a machine coordinate at some large negative Z value, then proceeds to move it back again! This would crash the tool unless the offending statement is deleted. Details are in the thread above. I suppose it isn't really a bug, just seems superfluous and can cause problems.

Very interesting. Any chance of some pointers to those which you think are worthy candidates, of the ones you've seen?

Martin

What is so wrong with using TurboCNC in a DOS computer even an old laptop with a printer port. It works good enough for me in my Stepperhead lathe? Is it too retro?

Alan

John's just popped round to show me the magic box, just PSU, box, stepper driver and a stepper on X happily whirring through a program that's been uploaded to it.

I've asked him to pull together an article on these boxes to answer the questions and provide an introduction for those not familiar with CNC.

Neil

Alan, My problem is I have to 'sell' the idea to a punter.

Fine showing someone Mach 3, they are familiar with Windows programs but Linux and Turbo CNc is a non started on the grounds of the screen display.

The y expect more for their money.

Just saying and reporting back from nearly 8 years of doing this on a hobby level.

Very interested in these stand alone controllers too (for a mill). Just had a look around for user reviews and found a useful thread on MadModder about the "DDCSV1.1" model which seems to be £146 shipped from China (on Ebay) or £178 shipped from Germany. Madmodder thread at:

**LINK**

which includes a link to the full 91 page user manual

**LINK**

John S, assume that's one of the ones you're talking about? (EDIT - presumably it is as you've posted on that MadModder thread too!)

Edited By Bikepete on 13/09/2016 14:51:25

It's that just that defines the appeal of this magic box. I've considered converting my mini-mill to CNC on a number of occasions, and while fitting ballscrews with a motor attached doesn't worry me, the whole knee bone is attached to the shoulder blade with a gronkelwanger that simply(?) converts a thingy into a whatsit via PFM amplified by a side fumbling throbnozzle has always put me off. Add in the need to acquire, and find space for, a computer to work it all, plus the usual hideously unfriendly(and they're the ones you have to pay for!) software and the whole plan goes out the window. This way, the conversion should cost less than a decent DRO, and actually make stuff while I do something else - the real appeal of CNC for me as cranking handles to make simple parts is just boring work.

Top of the list of stuff to do when I can afford the controller.

Bikepete.

That's one of the ones I have but I haven't played with mine as yet, only the cheaper one but I did pop up to Joules place to have a look and try his controller out.

In the meanwhile I'm starting work on the first article for Neil so I'm afraid you will have to wait but I'm sure for many, like Nicholas above, the wait will be worth it for the simplicity.

Edited By John Stevenson on 13/09/2016 15:15:33

John

I'm 'sold' on the idea so where next?

I've more than one spare PC, several steppers, motor drivers, PSUs etc and considered CNC'ing my mill many times over the last few years but the various software options have discouraged me. I think these dedicated controllers will be game changers and I want to go that route.

Do you have any controller recommendations?

My only concern is how good the documentation is, I have a Sino DRO and still cannot understand the manual!

Ian P

Sorry but I was trying to say I wanted to go down this new (ish) road. My posting crossed with your reply to Bikepete so I understand the embargo until Neil publishes.

Now, roll my own is tempting... I've not researched what controllers are available but I should be sensible and wait for your writings as the extra knowledge you will impart will be invaluable, it will probably save me wasting a lot of time on my own learning curve. Whether I will be patient is another matter!

Ian P

PS, one quick question as I've not read any manuals. The controllers have PC/network interfaces, does that meant that programming can be done/edited offline?

I've had TurboCNC and all the versions of Mach, and some of the the Linux versions used in CNC control, over the years, all can be made to work well, My old man would love a CNC machine just to play, with but he hates computers, he likes playing about with one of the lathes at work, this uses a Syntec controller, he finds this much easier to use than a PC based system, I will be looking at building him a small miller using the above mentioned gear asap, but with a view to converting my other home stuff over also.

So will you all stop asking John questions so he can get on with said article..... taps fingers.........

Shaun

I'm off out on the bike for an hour Ill call in and tell the old man it wont be long.......

Edited By Involute Curve on 13/09/2016 16:33:01

Hi guys, some astute comments. I am one of those under 55 (just) tech types. My background does involve computers, but these days they are just a tool to get a job done, I have no desire to geek out on them anymore. I am at a point where I just want to use a CNC machine, just like a company would, but I don't have a company budget. I have used LinuxCNC and EMC2 in the past, frankly they are hard work when things go wrong. I bought the DDCSV1.1 controller after doing a little research on them. One of my requirements was for a graphical representation of the work in progress. I haven't been disappointed in the controller and have a second to do a mill conversion. In fact it's my machining that isn't upto the job, the controller was easy to setup. Any unknown commands can quickly be searched for on the net. As was said, a body of knowledge is already being built and quickly people will be able to offer support for these boxes. I have both Raspberry Pi and Beaglebone boards here that I have tried to get running LinuxCNC on for the past year ? with no real luck. The DDCSV uses an ARM processor and pretty much does what it should with minimum bells and whistles. My current G Code knowledge has come from 3D printing and again I buy printers to use, not as a hobby in their own right. These controllers really are game changes and with demand for them they will only get better.

What is their OS? tend to assume Linux of some variety so can they be loaded with other s/w? One would hope they have a net connection capability to get their own updates. Obvious alternative uses being electronic leadscrew and dividing engine.

What happens when they die? bear in mind this level of small complex electronics has a 0.5% failure rate out of the box and maybe 7% per year afterwards on a good day with a following wind so a local reputable source may be worth the extra cost.

Probably as they have ARM processors.

What happens when they die ?

I suppose you just buy a new updated one but having said that it's more like a DRO readout and how often do those fail ?

No idea about updates but if you bought a new Fanuc OT back in 2005 that would have cost you about 7K and if it was still running today, as most are then it would still be the original program.

I'm still running a copy of AHHA on a DOS box and the program is dated 1998 and still runs fine.

The cheap one is less cost than a USB breakout board so it could be counted as a consumable, even less if you take the fact that you spend virtually no time in setting up and baby sitting.

This from a guy who's just walked in from setting a small CNC router up because the computer had a brain fart and the guy hadn't made an XML backup of Mach 3.

Not sure with these cheaper ones but the 400 pound commercial ones you can backup to a stick so if it did go pear shaped you could try a backup but if you had to buy a new unit then you have all your parameters saved.

Edited By John Stevenson on 13/09/2016 22:48:44

Further to the Mach3 threading bug. I think the problem is that the threading macro tries to go to the tool changer and so switches to machine coordinates for the move. If you have not got the machine coordinates set they may be very different to the user coordinates. The easy way to set the machine coordinates is to home the X and Z axes. This does require home switches on the lathe but a lot of people probably never fit them as they can seem unnecessary. I experienced this bug when I first tried using the threading wizard but as I have fitted home switches and now have the machine coordinates set as something sensible I do not have alarming and seemingly random moves to a tool changer taking place.

Martin

PS I also think you can switch off the tool changer option somewhere but I may be mixing this up with Mach3 on the mill.

Edited By Martin Connelly on 14/09/2016 10:41:25

Having looked at the manual for the DDCSV1.1 controller, I didn't see any implementation of G Codes G61 & G64 for exact path and path blending modes, which might well mean the default is one or the other, but not necessarily what you need.

Can someone confirm or deny the above and perhaps let us know if any common G Codes aren't implemented in these units, which are in Mach3 or LinuxCNC etc, please?

Martin.