Hi every one, since time i wish build my own cnc. Initially i bought a breakout board and the drivers based in the tb6550. Nevertheless, they are based in the parallel port as many other options. The EMC2 in the linuxCNC has parallel interface as well.
After many hours surfing in internet my mind is a mess.
My starting point is use the rpi2. in order to use the breakout board here is my first question:
Someone has developed and interface to convert the GPIO header in a parallel port so i can comunicate the breakout board to the EMC2 ? of course i need a 3.3-5vots converter, i am conscient.
The second idea is that, if a stepper motor driver needs 4 GPIOs, the RPI2 has enough for several, so... why not avoid the breakdown board and connect the drivers directly to the header. Someone has developed something to control the motors directly with the EMC2 through the headers?. Again with a 3.3-5vots converter.
The 3rd option is a interface parallel2serie so i can conect the usb of the RPi2 with the breakout board through USB2parallel converter wire. But i read that re USB is not adequate for real time control. nevertheless some people has developed something like: http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=92561.new#new but it needs an arduino and i would like do not by more boards.
Im had programmed a little in arduino and matlab but my knowledge in the field of programming drivers for hardware control in linux is null.
I hope someone can help me and give me some tipps.
Thanks in advance