Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

On 31 Dec 2015 13:15:11 -0800, you wrote:

>Didn't see my post maybe there is a delay? Anyway I will restate my questions since they are open to everyone.
>
>What software to use to control the mill? I considered Mach3 but it has two problems. First it only works with a parallel port from what I understand.

TurboCNC also works with a parallel port in a minimal (DOS)
environment. Don't use it in a DOS window under windows.

>I need USB.

USB has no guaranteed delivery time, and sends when the CPU gets
around to it.

>From what I understand there are USB controllers that might work with mach3? But most important the Free version of Mach3 is really limited on the steps it can process.

The reason for a USB controller is to generate the pulses in hardware
that is not subject to a windows/linux operating system timing. All
the USB does is download commands, the pulses are generated locally.

>
>I figure I will use one of those Arduino controllers. Already have one on order. I thought I would use Universal GCode Sender. Are there better affordable options?

No idea, I've messed with rolling my own, using an FPGA for timing. In
theory, it works well. Haven't managed to get the hardware working
(mill, etc.) quite yet. Too many other things.

The standalone controllers include Gcode interpreters, so yes, the
Arduino approach should work well. Don't know about Universal Gcode
Sender.

Harvey