+ User Manual
motor control without needing extra hardware or highly specialized real-time code.
LinuxCNC
LinuxCNC has been around for a long time. Originally Intel X86 only, was developed to control
mills, lathes and routers. Since the port to the BeagleBone, its also being used for 3D
printers. Both orthogonal (XYZ) types and Kossel style delta printers.
As an alternative for the BeBoPr code, open source purists will probably like LinuxCNC more.
It has support for the BeBoPr since the original (first) BeBoPr and all software, including the
PRU stepper code is open source. As a community effort, it evolves faster than the BeBoPr 3D
printer code.
Other NC Applications
What has been written about 3D-printer software above also applies for other numerical
control applications. Being it a simple router, a laser engraver or another dedicated machine.
These applications will probably not need the PWM heater outputs from the BeBoPr. But often
they need to control devices like a spindle, coolant fluid pump or laser power supply. These
can then be controlled from the otherwise unused outputs.
Unlike 3D printers and small routers, a real mill or big router will require more powerful
stepper motors than will fit on the BeBoPr In that case, instead of using the Pololu kind of
plug-in stepper modules, off-board power stepper drivers can be used. This way LinuxCNC can
control up to 5-axis that connect via a flat-cable to the BeBoPr.
version 1.4.9 (09/04/14)
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