The problem with using a RPi 2 is there is nothing on board that can generate the step pulses that is required for stepper drivers. This would have to be done externally with a PIC32 or something similar. This is where the BeagleBone Black shines as it has an onboard PRU for tasks like this. It more complex than just having a bunch of GPIO pins.
[off topic]
Yep, I used the 029 for five years and paper tape as well. The physics lab had a data collector that only supported paper tape.
[back on]
Dunno about the stratosphere. But to convert to Mach3/4 or LinuxCNC you would need this http://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-TB6560-Stepper-Motor-Controller/dp/B0093Y8A1A/ or something simular. And for any current machine you can use either of these (PCI) http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Universal-Low-Profile-Components-RC-302/dp/B004B0H69I/ or (PCI Express) http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Parallel-Controller-SI-PEX10010-Green/dp/B00GX9HYWE/
Both of those equal out to 79 shipped.
If you are not reliant upon Easel, just get a parallel port card:
For $14.00. I use these and computers people have thrown in dumpsters for my CNC projects and they are more than capable. Plus you get a nice (probably tan) metal box that houses the computer and has TONS of space inside for power supplies and the BOB and stepper drivers.
Here is a shot of a 2011 machine with a parallel port card that had a port INSIDE the machine - which was cool so all the electronics could be inside. The BOB is mounted right above the stepper drivers. The 36 volt supply is up top on the left:
Would this be a step closer to what you want?
Voltage and current ratings are too low on that model, plus it is not a stepper driver, it is a PWM motor controller.
+Earwigger Pretty Swank. An Mac Pro Case.
I have similar setup with a few more external drivers. No enclosure. Have not found one big enough.
LinuxCNC GUI (Axis)
For another project non-inventables related but, I am currently building a 5 axis rotary machine which is controlled by beaglebone black with a 7" touchscreen with a custom DB25 cape running MachineKit (LinuxCNC)
Back shot of the hardware.
4 Axis AIO stepper driver board.
The general point is running a motion control app like Mach3/4 or LinuxCNC is not expensive and does not require an older machine. Most people use older machines because it is something they already had (i.e. I used an old HP DC5100 SFF what was our XBMC box. Ironically replaced by a RPi B+).
The one caveat is you should not use a laptop/notebook /w a DB25 port. If you have a standard desktop that does not have a DB25 port (aka LPT1 or parallel port) you can add one cheaply. The one main thing that needed is a breakout board and stepper drivers.
Yeah, I was going for the additional add on I/O not the on board driver, to replace a parallel port.
Dave,
I appreciate the reply to the reply. have read the other comments re:Parallel port and agree, this port does take some of the processor duty from the CPU.
The truth is, I’ve been in IT most my life now, from punch-cards to 10" Tape Reels and disk drives that weighed in over 100lbs. to the HP Servers w/virtual drives and SSD backups that I use these days. I’m a glutton for tech and with what I’ve been reading over the past few months on CNC, I will be morphing over to a PC based system probably within a month or so. I need to get my whole feet wet in the tech I presently have. I’m only into my 3rd carve, and although I consider each more successful than the carve, before, I still haven’t gotten a 100% no problems-carve. soon… very soon.
After i finish up with these test carves and move onto acrylic and maybe dip into aluminum, I’ll be moving onto a more robust X-Carve with a PC based controller system. I certainly do appreciate all the help i’m getting along the way and hope to be some help to others as I create, troubleshoot & solve my mistakes along the way.
Russ