Duet 2/3 for CNC vs other controllers
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@DaBit Your comments about the limitations of open-loop drives of whatever sort, and the consequences of a mis-sent step (EMI/RFI?) are absolutely true and limit what cheap CNC/automation systems can do. Proper servo's are obviously more ideal in highly dynamic applications. But they have a cost and complexity premium, and for a large class of apps are unnecessary.
I'm very impressed at the range of machine projects you have been involved with. When it comes to flexibility and capability I'm sure LinuxCNC is the best approach short of high end motion controllers (Trio, Galil, Delta Tau) and proprietary CNC packaged systems from Siemens and Fanuc -
If you are going to use external motor drives of whatever sort I don't see much benefit in using a Duet. Duet cannot interface things as inverter drives and 24VDC-fed proximity switches conveniently, and it lacks serious EMI protection on the inputs.
A $200 Mesa 7i76E is a very capable and robust I/O board for use with LinuxCNC and step/dir drives, Eding/UCCNC/PlanetCNC/Mach3/Mach4 hardware is priced similar or less. Hard to compete with that, and the software is designed from day one to control CNC machines.
Sure, those need a PC to run, but you need one to run a Duet also. CNC-machining is a bit more work than level bed-load filament-preheat-print. Which is the exact reason why I am quite happy with my 3D printer; so little work to create a part.As an all-in-one package for the lower end CNC-mills it is useful, although I don't think that DWC is the most ideal UI and there is still no convenient connection to a motor speed regulator or inverter.
In that case, you can pick the surrounding components so they work well with Duet. Use 3d-printer endswitches and probes instead of the usual 24V stuff, for example. In that case, not much need for additional 24V-capable I/O and 0-10V/4-20mA inputs. -
@DaBit said in Duet 2/3 for CNC vs other controllers:
A $200 Mesa 7i76E is a very capable and robust I/O board for use with LinuxCNC and step/dir drives, Eding/UCCNC/PlanetCNC/Mach3/Mach4 hardware is priced similar or less. Hard to compete with that, and the software is designed from day one to control CNC machines.
Sure, those need a PC to run,Actually, PlanetCNC doesn't need a PC (and would not work with Mach or LinuxCNC or anything where the parser and motion planner is in the PC). Since the parser, motion planner, etc, is on the board, it just needs something to run a UI. That can be Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi. The Pi in particular can be fanless and with the right screen/keyboard/mouse (or emulation, like a touchscreen) it makes a great HMI in a home or small business shop setting. Good balance of function v price.
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@Danal ...have you tried the Ooznest user interface on the Duet?... it's CNC oriented. I found that, and because the framework they made it with is my day job, I'll be playing with it as my next cnc update, super looking forward to it.
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I have not. Next time I mess with CNC, I will give it a look
Thanks!
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@theKM Do you mean the WorkBee Control? https://learn.ooznest.co.uk/Guide/How+To+Use+WorkBee+Control/22?lang=en
It's a customised version of the Duet Web Control. It does show more CNC specific information, though.Ian
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@droftarts does that work with the duet 3
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@chichirod Did you ever find an answer to this question? Because I have a cnc machine and a duet 3 on my hands without any experience in either....
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@chichirod @Tsolsi I don't think the workbee control has been updated for Duet3 and RRF3 yet, but it is in the works.
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@Phaedrux I've been trying to configure in the RRF configuration tool but I get stuck in missing one of the stepper motor drivers.. Not sure how to add the "ghost driver" or how one would call it, the one on the other side that copies the other one exactly. (yes I'm that new)
