I jumped on here to ask about ESS swapaxis, so I have that answer, thanks!

Does anyone know if the ESS can co-exist with TCP modbus?   (I will take time later to read this entire thread, but for now I would much appreciate an answer to this if anyone knows).

Yes,

It works fine with Modbus TCP/IP devices. I've tested it with my ModIP prototypes.

Cheers,

Peter

I've heard nothing about the ESS, and mine is working great!! Curious when it will go on sale. Also curious if any of you other testers have gotten a newer plugin from Greg.

One thing I learned over the last few days. AV software can block the ESS somehow, and not even tell you!! I recently installed Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete. Strangely, on first start, Mach would see the ESS just fine. Shut Mach down and try to restart, it couldn't find the ESS. No amount of fiddling, reconfiguring, anything, would fix it. Only shutting the ESS power off and restarting it fixed it. Next Mach start, it was fine, next start no go. No warnings from anything. Shut the AV down, it worked great. I was too lazy to try and figure it out so I uninstalled Webroot and went back to Vipre, now it's fine.

These modern AV software packages are going too far trying to be unobtrusive. This Webroot never tells you anything, just blocks/quarantines/does it's thing with ZERO messages!! I imagine I can turn warnings on somehow, but IMHO, they've crossed to the other side of the line from totally obnoxious no not obnoxious enough.

Oh, and if you're going to warn me about running my machine control computer hooked to the internet, save it for anothert time I've been thoroughly warned many times and I still do it, still will. I only mention the above because I MIGHT NOT be the only one!

I believe it is on sale, certainly CNC4PC has it listed for sale and I know someone who bought one from them.
Still on the same plugin here, its the one I got when I first got the ESS and no issues so not really looking for an update
AVG works fine for me on my machines, I have them all networked, they cant access the internet but my desktop can so there is a chance that something could get onto them and thus I have anti virus installed.

Hood

Thanks, Hood, I hadn't seen it on CNC4PC!

I know, this ESS just works, it's amazing. This is really the FIRST piece of my CNC building experience that just works, right out the box, V1 plugin and all. Great stuff.

I was mostly curious if Greg had spiffed up the interface for the configurator and stuff. Got to thinking about that yesterday with my AV issue!! I got that warning that it couldn't find the ESS a hundred times and it just got me thinking is all!!

It works fine with Modbus TCP/IP devices. I've tested it with my ModIP prototypes.

Thanks, Peter.

Couple Q's;
Are you going to be selling the 'ESS'?
Any plans to make a custom BOB for it? As long as I'm asking, how about one with differential signal outputs?
Any plans to offer a general purpose PLC pre-configured with TCP modbus?

I am just finishing up my long overdue 4th axis motor controller. It is 2,000 lines of C code running on an Arduino Mega board. I have it working with vanilla serial Modbus and also with TCP modbus. TCP modbus would be preferable, theoreticaly, but I read here and elsewhere that TCPmodbus in MACH is unstable. Can you offer an opinion on that?

The ESS is on sale now! I also have shielded Ethernet panel mount cables, shielded Ethernet cables, 5V power supplies, etc:

http://www.soigeneris.com/Ethernet_SmoothStepper-details.aspx

Also, complete plug-and-play Ethernet SmoothStepper boxes: http://www.soigeneris.com/SSENC_2_Ethernet_SmoothStepper_System-details.aspx

I'll have some photos up soon. It has been a busy week so I have not had time to snap some nice photos.

I was mostly curious if Greg had spiffed up the interface for the configurator and stuff.

He has been working on them. Not sure when new versions will be released though.

Cool, Jeff, I haven't been even looking for ESS because my beta one is just working so I kind of ignore it!! A good thing.

I can't find the shielded ethernet PANEL MOUNT on your site, the one you mentioned here. How 'bout a link so I can buy one!!

Tom

I'm happy to provide a link

Here are the sheileded Ethernet patch cables: http://www.soigeneris.com/Shielded_Ethernet_cables-details.aspx

and, here are the shielded Ethernet panel mount cables: http://www.soigeneris.com/Ethernet_Panel_Mount_Cable-details.aspx

oh, and the 5V power supplies: http://www.soigeneris.com/MeanWell_PS_05_Power_Supplies-details.aspx

The Panel Mount Ethenet cables are slick. The panel opening is just a little bigger than the USB version and the screw holes are almost the same as well. I was able to make one panel that works with either version of cable.

Thanks, Hood, I hadn't seen it on CNC4PC!

I know, this ESS just works, it's amazing. This is really the FIRST piece of my CNC building experience that just works, right out the box, V1 plugin and all. Great stuff.

I was mostly curious if Greg had spiffed up the interface for the configurator and stuff. Got to thinking about that yesterday with my AV issue!! I got that warning that it couldn't find the ESS a hundred times and it just got me thinking is all!!

Quote from: Peter Homann on January 19, 2012, 07:11:23 AM

It works fine with Modbus TCP/IP devices. I've tested it with my ModIP prototypes.

Thanks, Peter.

Couple Q's;
Are you going to be selling the 'ESS'?
Any plans to make a custom BOB for it? As long as I'm asking, how about one with differential signal outputs?
Any plans to offer a general purpose PLC pre-configured with TCP modbus?

I am just finishing up my long overdue 4th axis motor controller. It is 2,000 lines of C code running on an Arduino Mega board. I have it working with vanilla serial Modbus and also with TCP modbus. TCP modbus would be preferable, theoreticaly, but I read here and elsewhere that TCPmodbus in MACH is unstable. Can you offer an opinion on that?

I have some on the way. I should have them in stock early next week.

At to TCP Modbus and Mach3 , I've found no stability issues with it. I've been testing it with a ModIP prototype unit for some months now.

Cheers,

Peter

I just got a smooth stepper ethernet and followed the instructions at http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/Ethernet_Smooth_Stepper.html to set it up. I set it up using the Mach3 Milling profile. I have never used Mach3 and won't even have my CNC machine until later this week but am trying to have everything prepared so I can start playing with it right away.

The smoothstepper seemed to connect just fine, a bunch of lights come on the board, powering it with my arduino, might use the arduino later to add some sensors and such.

Anyways, should I resume the instructions from the USB board http://warp9td.com/documentation/SmoothStepperUserManualV1.0.pdf to configure Mach3 for this? There was no Mach3 configuration document for the Ethernet board from what I received. I need to know the kHz settings etc, is it the same as the USB board?