5i25 - 7i76 support testers wanted

I am back from my trip to Texas and can help with finding the problem. Can you post the PNCconf HAL file?

Welcome back. The hal file created by pncconf is attached to post 18888.

ok good Thanks - I wasn't sure if that was the most current try.

First yes the tabs names and component numbers could use some work. Smart serial support is new for PNCconf and tab names did not get finished.

as you figured out I/O 2 and 3 are from the 5i25, but in this case the 7i76 redirects ( I/O 3) to it's connectors.
So when looking at the step generator numbering it refers to the COMPONENT number, so then you need to look up in the 7i76's manual to see what that maps to ( and yes I agree that's a PITA )
for instance stepgen 0 is on the 7i76 boards TB2 pin 2,3,4, and 5

Since you deselected the extra components I/0 2 can be used as GPIO.
and I see the GPIO numbering is wrong it should be 17 - 33 but says 24-40 (that needs to be fixed)

Did you get an error when you tried the PNCconf generated config , did it just not work or did you not have it wired right?

The 7i76's I/O and spindle control are shown on the sserial 0 tab. The sserial tab1 should not show unless you selected another sserial board.

Tab 0 and 1 are for TB5 and TB6 ( I need to rename the tabs as TB5 and TB6)
Here the number in PNCconf represents the TB connector's pin number (which is inconsistent - it should be component number)
Tab 3 is the spindle control TB4 the number is component number.

So I can understand how the maping of components to actual connectors is confusing.

I followed the instructions at wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?UpdatingTo2.5 and tried running pncconf again.

This time everything worked for the stepper motors. I was able to use the test axis within pncconf and the resulting config worked.

I have not tried using the I/O, that is the next task.

Hal file created by pncconf attached.

Stan

Excellent! Thanks for the testing so far.
I will try to improve the tab names soon...

Time for an update. I just finished rewiring and setting up the router with the Mesa combo.

My old setup was a 1Ghz Dell P3 with a PCI parallel port card running a 3 axis Xylotex card at 30V. I was using 1/4-20 threaded rod through delrin nuts. My max speed was 40ipm. Ubuntu 8, LinuxCNC 2.4.

My new setup is a 2.33Ghz Dell Poweredge 400SC P4 with a Mesa 5i25 - 7i76 combo running three Gecko 251X drives at 35V. My max speed is 100ipm with the 1/4-20 threaded rod on the Y axis (40,000ppi). I have built my own ServoBelt drive for the X axis and am doing 650ipm (4064ppi). My Z axis is using 10tpi acme rod and I am getting 150 ipm (20,000ppi).

I used a new LiveCD to install LinuxCNC and created the lib/firmware/hm2/5i25 folder with the xml files using the instructions above.

Pncconf worked well. 1 encoder, 0 pwm generators, 4 step generators, 1 Smart Serial Port. I/O connector 2 is unused, I/O connector 3 is the X/Y/Z StepGens, Smart Serial 0/7i76 Mode 0 I/O Card Tab 0 has the home and limit switches and outputs for solid state relays for the router and vacuum(coolant).

The 7i76 made the wiring of the machine very straightforward. I wish I had used this the first time through. Highly recommended.

Stan

Thanks for the report!

the 5i25 series of control cards are going to be very popular.

I just came over to linuxcnc from being a mach3 user. I purchased a 5i25 and 7i76 to use with my 14x40 lathe which is now under mach3 control. I read this whole thread and have downloaded and installed the latest livecd about a week ago (2.5.0). Pncconf on the livecd download still does not support the 5i25/7i76 combo. I did manage to add the xml file into the lib folder (documented in a post in this thread) and it now shows up in pncconf, BUT, I am wondering if this is the latest version with all the fixes??? I am new to linux and linuxnc and the learning curve has been steep but worth it.

Thanks,
George


Edit: just read the entire 7i77 thread and noticed there were spindle enable issues in the last week. I bet those same issues appy to the 7i76 board, its cousin.