I’m happy to announce that have just released the first open beta version of Mach4 Granite Devices motion control plugin. All CNC users out here, welcome to test it with your IONI, ARGON and soon to be released ATOMI drives! Grab a free Mach4 plug-in download from our Wiki: https://granitedevices.com/wiki/Mach4_SimpleMotion_drive_plugin
Shortly put, the plug-in makes it possible to control drives straight from PC USB port. No middle-hardware or step pulse generators needed.
AWESOME!!!
I have been eagerly waiting for this.
Thanks Tero!
I will get a ionicubex4 cube build done in the coming weeks and start testing.
Have you made any breakout boards so that the limits can be more easily dealt with?
Yes the Db 15 breakout is what I was talking about.
It would be nice in future hardware designs if a header could be added to motherboard to accomplish this.
With the Ionicube x4 I could mount the board up to the edge of a case similar to Simucube if I did not have to break out the limits.
Do you have any pics of how others are handling this?
Limit switches are typically near the motor/axis where the encoder cable is going. So perhaps cleanest & easiest way is to just put multiple cables to the one D15. That’s how it was intended by design but of course it might not work for every case.
Have you considered using hard stop homing & soft limits? Those typically eliminate the need of limit switches altogether.
I will have to look at the schematic again.
I want to be able to use the physical limits for homing on CNC milling machine. I think Mach4 likes + and - limit switches ( 2 switches per axis)
Seperate question:
Do you have idea for using Ionicubex4 for 4 axis plus Ionicubex1 for spindle control with Mach4?
Make sense?
If I can get everything to work correctly I will start building controls for Bridgeport milling machine retrofits.
Many many Bridgeports here in the USA waiting for an affordable servo control upgrade.
If you have the original steppers I would plan on replacing them.
Over the years I have had around 10 series I or series II rigid ram Bridgeports.
The original steppers seem to loose some of their magnetism from sitting around for many years. They are pretty weak.
Also plan on changing the limit on the Z, and running shielded wire for the new limit. These seemed to always have issues with line noise.
The plan to keep the original steppers is mostly because of my laziness… If i change the motors, i will have to build flange adapters and maybe change the belts and pulleys. …but it has to be done anyway so maybe i do the retrofitting in steps, first to get a somehow operational mill and then use the mill to build the special parts for it
Do you have the big 42 frame motors on yours, with the great big heat sinks?
The AWESOME thing about using Granite devices products is you can easily ditch the steppers and go to servos. Most other companies servo solutions for milling machines are very expensive.
Do not be afraid to use the Chinese mige motors. These have proven to be very good quality and a fraction of the price compared to other name brands.
I have not done my mill conversion with Granite devices products yet. I did many conversions previously with other controls.
I am currently looking at the best interface between Ionix4 and Mach4. I picked up a smooth stepper etherner board, but to be honest I have not had much time to read what I need to do.
I have built over 100 direct drive wheels using the Argon and various Ioni boards with Mige motors. I have found the Granite products much more user friendly than the previous controls I used.
Do you have any flashing LED sequence readable in the drives?
Or do you have any status indicators visible in Mach4?
If you can connect to the drives with Granity, please check the Testing tab for any active fault indicators, and reply with the device statuses (button in the bottom-left corner in Granity/Testing tab).
The plugin is in beta stage and we really would like more feedback on it. I think @Danrusu never came back with any detailed test report and what part of it does not work. We have done some limited testing on the plugin and it seems to work as expected, although improvements can always be made.
