Hi all,

I'm thinking of purchasing a CNC hardware kit including all gantry frames, stepper motors and motor drives.
If I want to use the full capability of MACH3 such as macros and brains, which breakout board or controller can you recommend?
As I want to build something like a CNC machine with some extended capabilities, I need to have a clever Ethernet controller which can deal with several signal I/Os.
I really appreciate it if you give me some advice.
It would be great if you let me know its price range roughly.

Thanks,
Eric.

Hi, isn't there anyone who can help me?

Hi Eric,
  This one is very clever.
http://www.cs-lab.eu/en/
Offers extreme flexibility, industrial performance and negates the need for a break-out board.
Russ
 

Thanks a lot, Russ! Have you used it before?
I knew its specification is fantastic, but I'd like to hear some experience.
Have you used it with Brains and Macros of MACH3?

I'm using the "M" and it is doing very well so far .... much pleased.
Check out the posts in this board ..........  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/board,91.0.html
a lot of good info there.
Russ

CSMIO is the best controller I have used to date. I have used the IP-S and IP-A and of the two I like the IP-A the best but you need analogue input servos for that one.
 I have used both with brains and macros and they work well. All I/O can be accessed via their internal modbus calls either via VB or Brains. One thing I was concerned about was whether my PLC would work along side the CSMIO as it uses Modbus also but there has not been an issue with it.
Hood

Thank you so much, Russ and Hood.
As I've never used this kind of machine before, very tricky for me.