Selecting the Correct Controller

[mccafferty]

I am seriously considering a couple machines to UCCNC. One is a 16 year old Precix router. It is based on a proprietary QNIX application and has operated with no issues. But, it has no user interface other than setting zeros and running a file. I would like to be able to do more at the console. The other is a Shopmaster MillTurn combination Mill Lathe. It has Mach3. It has always been a bit flakey (maybe just my configuration of Mac3). I like the looks and feel of UCCNC and hear good things about. I guess I need to wait on lathe functionality for this machine but would eventually like the machines to have a common platform.

On the website, I haven't found enough information as to whether to go UC300 or UC400. Other than the obvious that you have to have enough appropriate I/O for a given machine, are there performance differences or other factors to influence a conversion? is the UC400 a newer or just different configuration?

Thanks

[A_Camera]

You can download the manuals and check out the differences. The newest is the UC300ETH.

[ger21]

UC300ETH has analog inputs and outputs. This allows you to connect pots for Feedrate Override and Spindle Override.
Other than that, the main difference is 5 ports instead of 2.

[cncdrive]

The UC300ETH is the newer controller. There was already the UC300 USB version and the ethernet version was made later,
but it has the same pinout, supports the same motherboards is why the ethernet version is also named UC300 with the ETH postfix.

The UC300ETH and UC400ETH are parametrically are the same except the number of I/Os.
The UC300ETH has also analog in and outputs while the UC400ETH only has digital I/Os and the UC300ETH has much more digital I/Os than the UC400ETH.

[mccafferty]

sounds like there is nothings my to loose going UC300ETH so I'll plan that approach.

Thanks

[mccafferty]

As far as breakout boards, it appears CNCDRIVE only has the HDBB2. Would you use it as the main breakout and maybe something like the CNC4PC C10 for additional digital I/O?

I am not seeing either site selling parallel cables to connect controller to I/O. What's a good source?

Thanks for the help

[mphel]

Try here.. http://www.shop.cncdrive.com/index.php?categoryID=131

[ger21]

As far as breakout boards, it appears CNCDRIVE only has the HDBB2. Would you use it as the main breakout and maybe something like the CNC4PC C10 for additional digital I/O?

I'm using this board, which uses 3 of the ports.
http://www.cncroom.com/break-out-board/smooth-stepper
I don't have it yet, but it's on the way from Thailand.

[mccafferty]

Great.... Thanks for the help

[mccafferty]

As far as breakout boards, it appears CNCDRIVE only has the HDBB2. Would you use it as the main beakout and maybe something like the CNC4PC C10 for additional digital I/O?

I'm using this board, which uses 3 of the ports.
http://www.cncroom.com/break-out-board/smooth-stepper
I don't have it yet, but it's on the way from Thailand.

That board looks very complete. You chose the UC300ETH for motion control over the smooth stepper. Is there a significant difference?
I am going to use some closed loop stepper servo drives. They have a fault output if the motors are not following. The safety circuit looks like it would work nicely with the fault signal from the drives.