In this series I will take you through the process of adding a UC300ETH to your KRMx02. Note that this upgrade is only offered as an option. You have other options if you strictly want to go to Windows 10.
Lets take a look at some of the reasons you might want to upgrade to the UC300ETH motion controller
Windows 10
The parallel port does not work with Mach3 running on Windows 10. For this reason you need to add a motion controller to your build. The easiest way to do that is to install a UC100 motion controller.
You can get more information on the UC100 here:
Another other option is to move to the SmoothStepper motion controller shown here:
I prefer the UC300ETH over the SmoothStepper primarily because it is also compatible with the UCCNC motion control software.
Extra Axis Control
If think you may be adding an additional rotary axis to your machine then the UC300ETH is the direction you will want to go. You will be able to control up to six axis with Mach3. You will also gain more spindle control.
Enhanced Output Control
The UC300ETH is able to pulse various output ports as a PWM control for the spindle output in Mach3. This allows you to use this output to control the output power other things such as lasers and burners.
Analog Inputs and Outputs
The UC300ETH has two analog inputs and two analog outputs. While I have not played with these yet, they are on my list. One such project is a custom jog shuttle interface.
Ethernet Isolation
The UC300ETH interfaces to your PC via an Ethernet cable. This provides better isolation from the PC for harsh operations like plasma cutting.
Lets move on
Many of the future upgrades and experiments will be utilizing the UC300ETH so lets look at some of pros and cons.
UC300ETH Advantages
Enable you to control your machine with Windows 10
Provides a more reliable connection between the PC and the KRMx02.
Extra input and output ports for controlling more accessories such as a rotary axis.
Additional analog input and output ports.
Works with Mach3, Mach4, and UCCNC software.
UC300ETH Disadvantages
More Complex
There are some jogging and homing bugs in the latest UC300ETH plugin. You will need to install the V1_013 plugin for these functions to operate correctly.
Note that the UC300ETH will be required for some of the upgrades I will be getting into in the future. These include the following:
Laser module
Rotary Axis
Plasma Cutter
Components
The following components are needed to complete this upgrade:
UC300ETH Motion Controller
The UC300ETH motion controller is the heart of this upgrade.
While most of the other components used with this upgrade can be substituted, the UC300ETH cannot.
You will need to purchase both the UC300ETH and the mother board:
Get them here:
IDC 26 to DB25 Cable
Used to connect the UC300ETH to the G540. Also used to connect the UC300ETH to the breakout board.
Important: You will need 2 of these.
Get it here:
DB25 Gender Changer
Used to change the gender of the G540 to accept the above cable.
Get it here:
Breakout Board
Used to break out various signals from one of the ports available on the UC300ETH.
Get it here:
48V to 12V Converter
Used to provide a 12V 10A power source for future accessories.
Get it here:
12V to 5V Converter
Used to provide a 5V 3A power source for future accessories.
This converter is used to convert the 12V from the above converter to 5V. This is used to power the UC300ETH and the breakout board.
Get it here:
48V 4.5Amp Stepper Driver
While not required for the upgrade, it will be required for later upgrades that require an additional axis on the machine.
While this particular driver is not the only one that will work. It is important that the driver can handle the 48V input.
Get it here:
Or this one
Six Position Terminal Blocks
You will need 5 of these terminal blocks. Three with red bus bars and two with black bus bars.
The kit shown below includes 5 terminal blocks and both 5 sets of red and black bus bars.
Get it here:
In addition you will need some #6-32 x 1/2” and #6-32 x 3/4” machine screws and nuts.
You will also need hookup wire.