Anybody running LinuxCNC on a 1F?

Aftermarket Controllers (Advanced Users Only)
1

With the recent Masso announcement, and my work with FreeCAD, I am looking at LinuxCNC as an alternative to the Masso. (LinuxCNC seems to be FreeCAD’s baseline controller)

Being Open Source LinuxCNC (GPL2) are obviously free to use even commercially. And they seem to have a release cycle of every 6 months. Their GitHub appears active.

LinuxCNC has supported “cutter compensation” for years.

Paying once to switch, may be a good thing.

2

Late response, but I just converted my machine to LinuxCNC. I like it a lot so far.

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3

Can you post your needed hardware list? I need ethernet even the new redline lacks it. was waiting for warranty to expire to switch.

4

This won’t include buttons and wire etc., but this should cover the major components of my build.

  • Dell Optiplex 7750 (~$100 on ebay, runs linuxcnc)
  • Gigabit Network Card (~$30, gives me separate network interface for LAN and the controller itself)
  • Mesa 7i96s (~$150, handles step generation and IO for the controller. Connects to PC via Ethernet)
  • DM556T open loop stepper drivers x4 (~$30 each, drive the existing steppers on my Woodworker pro and connect to the Mesa card.)
  • 400W 48V PSU (~$25, powers the stepper motor drivers)
  • 24V PSU (~$20, powers switches, touch probe, contactor, etc.)
  • 5V PSU (~$20, powers the Mesa board)
  • 15Amp Circuit Breaker (~$15)
  • 3 pole contactor (~$35, controls power to the steppers for safety)

Total was ~$500 for the important components. Add on some extra for estop switches, buttons, molex connectors, wire, an enclosure etc. You might need crimpers and other electrical tools if you don’t have them already. I use X11 forwarding to connect to linuxcnc from my laptop, so I never added a screen to the controller. I thought it was a pretty fun project, and I really like the final result. The build took me about two weeks working in the evenings.

Control Cabinet
Control Cabinet3024×4032 2.84 MB

Cabinet Internals
Cabinet Internals3024×4032 2.85 MB

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5

Someone posted that the new redline controller has ethernet. That would be a better fix if true. Will keep researching before making a move. Also looking at LinuxCNC GUI options.

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6

I’m using Probe Basic, and I’m enjoying it so far.

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