MESA board selection to replace ESS

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05 Aug 2020 18:17 #177412 by kb8wmc
Been a while since I have posted...

A friend has purchased a 4 x 8 Avid (CNCrouterparts) router table, running NEMA 34 setup...He intends of removing the ESS controller in order that he is able to run LinuxCNC...

He also intends on using Ethernet connection from computer to a Mesa board...The first question is which Mesa board would be a recommended replacement?...Second question is does anyone have or know of any good tutorials on changing the ESS controller to a Mesa board, looking for ease of changeover?...Does anyone have suggestions or things to look out for to accomplish this?...

thanks in advance

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05 Aug 2020 19:45 - 06 Aug 2020 07:19 #177417 by tommylight
Last i looked at them several years back, they used standard parts, so assuming it would be an easy and painless retrofit.
Any info on that ESS thingy?
Does the spindle have speed control or just on/off ?
For on/off type, a Mesa 7i96 should do just fine, for the speed controlled one a Mesa 7i76E will be plenty.
Last edit: 06 Aug 2020 07:19 by tommylight. Reason: typo

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05 Aug 2020 23:19 - 05 Aug 2020 23:20 #177437 by PCW
AFAIK the ESS needs an external breakout so a 7I92/7I92H/7I92M
would probably be appropriate. The required firmware would depend
on the breakout used.
Last edit: 05 Aug 2020 23:20 by PCW. Reason: format better

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06 Aug 2020 08:44 #177481 by rodw

AFAIK the ESS needs an external breakout so a 7I92/7I92H/7I92M
would probably be appropriate. The required firmware would depend
on the breakout used.


So I think what Peter is saying is that if you replaced the ESS with a 7i92 you could retain your existing breakout board and you would be up and running pretty quickly. You could use the software encoder component if you have enough inputs to run a THCAD board for torch voltage sensing. But I think you can add a second BOB to fix this.

A 7i96 or 7i76e would require more extensive rewiring but would get you to a more industrial 24 volt logic system. The 7i96 does not require any relays as they are builtin but if you wanted to use MPG dials for jogging, the 7i76e is a better option. You can use MPG's on the 7i96 but you have to give up some inputs which are pretty scarce to start with.

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06 Aug 2020 10:16 - 06 Aug 2020 10:17 #177484 by bevins
The ESS smooth stepper ethernet controller usually connected to mach3 or 4 can easily be replaced with a Mesa card. If it is a cncrouterparts machine, you probably have a C10 of some sorts connected as a BOB. The ESS has three parallel ports which you won't need if you go with Mesa.

I would suggest you replace the BOB and ESS with Mesa 7i92M and 7i76 or a 7i76E. They both would work nicely and you would have a robust commercial type system. I have an ESS and a couple C10's sitting around I replaced with Mesa boards.

There are wiring diagrams you can follow on this forum that show you how to connect everything.

You would keep your 5vdc power supply and add a 12 or 24vdc din rail power supply. I use these: Power supply
Last edit: 06 Aug 2020 10:17 by bevins.

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06 Aug 2020 10:28 #177486 by bevins
Here is some candy.......
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06 Aug 2020 14:49 #177519 by rodw
I've never used a parallel port but doesn't stepconf allow you to import a Mach XML file? Would that help here?

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06 Aug 2020 15:37 #177524 by kb8wmc
Thanks to all for the suggestions and input...Presently it looks like we will be settling on the 7i76E...My questions is whether by using a 7i76E, is the 7i92 still required and if so why?...I was under the assumption that the 7i76E would perform all the functions that the 7i92 does and more...I do realize that there would be additional time required in wiring the 7i76E, but as Rod pointed out, the end result would be a more industrial type system...I have only limited experience with Mesa products but I have come to see that they are great, quality, boards (IMHO)...

I am attaching a picture of the CNCRouterParts control panel which shows to some degree the components that will come with the machine...I am also providing a link to the ESS documentation page for anyone that may be curious...

warp9td.com/index.php/documentation/doc-ess

Mike
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06 Aug 2020 15:57 #177530 by tommylight
If you use the 7i76E, there is no need for 7i92.
7i76E is basically a 7i92 and a 7i76 in one package.

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06 Aug 2020 18:32 #177540 by kb8wmc
Thanks Tommy, I was not sure if I was correctly reading the information...You have straightened me out, appreciate it...

Mike
The following user(s) said Thank You: tommylight

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