Hi John,
A couple of points. You can configure the ModIO to run at 115.2Kbaud, although 56Kbaud is plenty fast enough.
Also how fast are you planning to turn the MPG. :) 56Kbaud is fast enough to provide smooth motion. The ModIO also provides a counter value so that Mach can measure the time beteen reading to allow it to calculate the velocity.
When Art first coded the interface for the ModIO MPG, the motion was very smooth. Later versions of Mach3 which have additional Modbus Plugin seemed to have changed things somewhat.
Cheers,
Peter
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On 2020-02-17 05:31, John Dammeyer wrote:
Hi Spencer. The reason for the MODIO is really simple. I bought one
about 10 years ago. Haven't used it yet. With displays running $4
and even with shipping two only costing about $12 it wasn't a big
deal. Just sad that I can no longer read. Ha ha.
My ELS uses a 40x2 display and is pin compatible with a 40x4. I've
got one VF display connected but would have to do some really brain
storming to decide exactly what would be on such a display.
The little bit of testing I've done with the MPG on the MODIO compared
to using a USB Pendant shows that the Pendant in many ways is nicer
and more responsive even though they both have 100 detents per rev.
Given 56Kbaud I'm not surprised and this is by no means a negative
comment about the MODIO. It's a nice little bit of work. I can see
it functioning more as a remote control of the tool changer and power
draw bar so the only thing to that area of the machine is a
communications cable and power rather than a bundle of who knows how
many wires.
Having small display and a few buttons by a tool changer, for
example, would allow local loading of tools without writing extensive
buttons and screens on MACH3 or LinuxCNC. I have yet to try the very
old MODBUS interface for the MODIO on LinuxCNC.
Normally I'd use CAN bus for this distributed stuff but I haven't
built any CAN modules that have everything that the MODIO has on it.
And I'd use CANopen since then it's possible to also just buy CANopen
Motors, Inclinometers, Hydraulic valves etc. that are controlled via
messaging.
So mostly I'm just playing. And kicking myself for ordering a 16x2
instead of a 20x2. Sigh...
John
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
spencer@...
Sent: February-16-20 9:08 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] MODIO LCD
I looked at the manual; and it does not look like you can change the
display configuration. This would be highly unlikely. I have programmed
microcontrollers with similar dis[plays and it is a genuine bitch to get
everything in the right place on such a small display let alone provide
different and smaller number of characters. These disoplays are really
easy to find surplus now because most people have moved to graphic
displays. Unless you are really in the boonies you should be able to get
one quickly?
What is the reason for the Modio as opposed to parallel port types or
more modern ones that use network or USB? I am not crazy about my setup
although it does seems to be working and am considering what to try next
for a BOB? Would rather not get stuck with legacy computers although I
do have a pile of Optiflex. Is the modio supposed to work with USB to
rs232 adapters? I did not see anything about that in the manual?
Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550 Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...
Spencer@...
Spencer@...
(425) 791-0309
(707) 223-8212
------ Original Message ------
From: "John Dammeyer" <johnd@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: 2/16/2020 12:55:20 AM
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] MODIO LCD
So it doesn't like a 12V power supply when connected to the PC. Raise the
input voltage to 15V and it stabilizes. Turn the encoder one click and the start
up screen changes to one with all sorts of information spread out in a strange
way. What I can see is the MPG-1 value change as I rotate it. As for the
other numbers I don't know what they are.
Is there a way to tell the MODIO that I have a 16x4 display? Or will I have to
wait until the correct display arrives?
Thanks
John
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
John
Dammeyer
Sent: February-15-20 6:05 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] MODIO LCD
Well crap! Really must learn how to read. I was so excited when my 2
LCD
displays arrived on Thursday. Today I carefully soldered on the ribbon
cable
and crimped the 16 pin socket onto the other end. Then plugged into the
MODIO and applied power.
It lit up. But all sorts of odd blinking and the error light coming on while
it's
connected to MACH3. Unplug MACH3 and it stabilized. So that's problem
#1.
Problem #2 is much worse. The characters weren't all in the correct spots
and some appeared to be missing. A quick count showed the display was
16
wide, not 20. A look at the order online showed I'd ordered 16x4
displays.
Sigh... I've re-ordered two 20x4 but with shipping this project has been
shifted sideways by a month or two now. Or earlier if they come earlier.
John Dammeyer
