Using LinuxCNC on My CNC Router Using a Raspberry Pi 5

[@kristertornblom3356]

Hi made a test drive today with this paralell hat including Raspberry pi 5 and this is really a great product ,works great

[@Cdaprod]

I already bought the stepper drivers too! Like a year ago, very confident in this video 😎

[@Byte2Bot]

Nice 👍

[@Cdaprod]

Me too! 1:17 Thank god I built a CNC machine as a diy/cabinetmaker years ago and I have the problem where I have to do everything from scratch, now I’m a devops engineer lmao Got my pis let’s go!

[@Byte2Bot]

Let me know how it goes! I am always curious if you end up finding a better solution than what I have tried. Especially when it comes to HAL file configuration.

[@markyu70]

Fine! I also use Raspberry Pi but with my grbl board.

[@mattivirta]

perfect cpmåination have raspberry 4 or 5, linuxcnc 2.9 and mesa card whit raspberry pi. have all what cnc need be, in/out pins lot and controller perfect whit big stepper drivers and motors.

[@alexon2010]

Very cool video, I'm trying to do the same for my CNC Router that I'm manufacturing... I wanted to understand more about how you did the Spindler issue to control the speed... Do you have a tutorial...

[@Byte2Bot]

What type of spindle do you have? The VFD style is easiest to connect using the analog output from the breakout board. The small DC style can use the MOSFET on the hat. I don't have a specific tutorial, but the Hal files are set up for both.

[@rudycandu1633]

This is the same kind of setup I want to use. Nice to know how it works for you. I also would like to know more about your router and how the spindle is working for you. I have the 500W spindle that I want to use for my first/starter cnc router.

[@Byte2Bot]

I really like this spindle. It works great for 1/8" bits in ABS and hardwoods. I originally used a laminate router and the whole neighborhood knew what I was doing. This spindle is quiet. I usually take my time and do at least 3 passes in 1/4 inch material. If you have the need for speed perhaps a larger spindle with a VFD is a better option.

[@iforce2d]

"I have always been leary about the longevity of a large PC" - yeah, this is getting me lately. Until yesterday my CNC has been running from a PC that I already had to replace the power supply in, and now it seems to have completely died. No beep on startup, no BIOS post, nothing :( So I'm probably gonna switch to RPi as well, although not with software stepping. Do you know what step-rate you can get from yours?

[@dariusrogers]

Great video Dan!

[@cszrwi]

Very cool thanks for this. I have a printnc i want to move to linux cnc so i can 9:23 individually zero the two y axis. At the moment i can not keep my x axis perpendicular.

[@Byte2Bot]

Zero-ing the two motors on a single axis individually doesn't sound like something I would recommend. I'm sure it can be done, but you would need a limit switch for each motor and possibly run a different profile to treat them as a separate axis. If it were my machine, I would disable the power to the motors and adjust one manually until the axis is square. Then future automatic homing would still treat them as the same axis. If you loose steps and have to do this more than once a month, it might be worth looking at the acceleration and step rates of the motors. Let me know what you end up getting to work. I will be curious to know what the final solution is.

[@qzorn4440]

A most wonderful RPi5 CNC video. ✨ Do you have a RPi5 GPIO video using PWM to control the newer GPIO for a LED in Thonny, Python IDE? 😎 Thank you.

[@Byte2Bot]

@@qzorn4440 my hope is that WiringPi still works on the Pi5. If not, then you may be stuck with accessing the GPIO pins like a file using the system calls. WiringPi does that internally, so I hope it is still working. Or a forked variant of it!

[@andrewowens5653]

Could you Please add links to your website? I'd also like to see your system in action. Demo video please?... 8-)

[@Byte2Bot]

I will work on getting verified so I can add clickable links in the description. In the meantime, you can go to Byte2Bot.com and find the parallel hat board. The links in the description of that product will allow you to download the hal files. I don't have any demo videos yet but will add some soon. I hope to cut some parts this weekend.

[@GeeEmJay]

Using traditional parallel port technology - interesting.... How are you finding latency? RPI also supports SPI which has been used in similar CNC projects and recently the Novosun NVUM / EC cards have been reflashed with Remora firmware to interface with custom HAL drivers for ethernet

[@Byte2Bot]

Latency is better than I am used to. The old Dell PC was a slower processor than the Pi5. I was able to get a worst case latency test by trying to launch KZbin in the web browser. Almost 2mS on the servo thread. I'm sure the SPI board is better than that, but I don't cut fast enough to even notice any effects.

[@nathanchalecki4842]

No point soing anything but a genuine fan and heatsink.

[@Byte2Bot]

Agreed. It is probably throttling back a little bit with the heatsink I have. Both the Pi4 and Pi5 are measuring about 38 degrees internal processor temp. I will order the genuine one and use it for the long term.

[@mysticmarble94]

Does the use of a Raspberry Pi have comparable benefits akin to 3D printers running an MCU board in conjunction with the RPI host cpu doing kinematic calculations ?

[@Byte2Bot]

I think the main usage of the pi is to simply replace the computer that was previously used. 3d printers do need to have a lot more look-ahead and kinematics than routers do because of the flow rate of the melted plastic. You may not be able to tell in the finished product if the router used kinematics.

[@jeppelysebjerg8075]

it does not. and i cant see any reason to ever use a rasperry pi, for an cnc in 2024. its like using 90`s tech.

[@mchlwachowski]

Thanks for being available to help. I have raspberry pi 4, is there any changes i would have to make like you did on the 5? I have an 8ram so I'm hoping for good results.

[@Byte2Bot]

No changes necessary. My router worked just fine on a Pi4. If you download the latest pi image from LinuxCNC, it should work just fine. The only reason I initially had slowness in the user interface was because I used a very early version and they fixed some things since then. I have both Pi4 and Pi5 Hal file examples on my website, so you shouldn't need to change much.

[@TheFeralEngineer]

what were the latency numbers on the pi5?

[@Byte2Bot]

I have had up to 2ms worst case on the servo thread. I just uploaded a short showing how I launched youtube and started a video and the latency test showed a 1.1ms latency. kzbin.infouXpw--tIaa0?feature=share

[@stefanf6495]

Just curious, was there a reason not to go directly with the Pi's GPIO for driving the steppers? RPI GPIO have native support in LinuxCNC, too.

[@Byte2Bot]

The parallel hat is basically a level converter that allows the 3.3v Pi GPIO to drive the 5V pins on the DB25 parallel connector.

[@supyrow]

did your relay not have a back EMF diode across the coil??

[@Byte2Bot]

In my case the contacts welded, which means a diode would be useful across the contacts since it is a DC motor. But I think the current consumption of my motor is too high for the relay contacts regardless of any arc suppression used.

[@mattivirta]

new computer can add cheap 10-20$ paraller port pci-pcie card too, if PC not have paraller port, axis 99100 not working but MC xxxx cards workig well. i not remember card chip number this now.

[@VTeslaV]

Do you also have the ini file available for running linuxcnc? I only see the hal file you posted.. Are more steps involved in getting it running like installing a hal component or something?

[@Byte2Bot]

I added the complete config folder contents from my router next to the HAL files on the Parallel Hat product page on my website as a working example. I am not a LinuxCNC expert, but copying the sample HAL file over your machine's HAL file should be the majority of what needs to be done. The Parallel Hat will not show up in Linux as a parallel port or anything like that. LinuxCNC will simply toggle the Pi GPIO pins and the hat will be the voltage translator to the breakout board.

[@nathanchalecki4842]

Just wondering what your boot speed is like when you open lcnc. Mines really slow.

[@Byte2Bot]

Mine boots up to the login screen in under 15 seconds. I wonder if changing the SD card would make a difference.

[@nathanchalecki4842]

@@Byte2Bot thanks. It was because I was using a really inefficient image :-) it's now operating really really well.

[@0ffGridTechClub]

This is Awesome !! I am definitely doing this tonight with an RPi 5. Eventually I would like to convert the OS .img into an ISO and deploy this bad boy through my Proxmox RPi 5 cluster 🥷🏼

[@Vlasserr]

I purchased your Pi Parallel Hat board. I performed the installation you described, but the machine does not run. Linux says that it does not know the parallel port base address. I tried 0x378 and 0 doesn't work either. Can you advise please? Thanks I have a pi4

[@Byte2Bot]

Yes, I can help! Please use the contact form on the Byte2Bot.com contact page and I will help you through it. One other customer had the same question, and I updated the Parallel hat blog on the website to hopefully help with this question. Check out the troubleshooting section. The short answer is that the hat will not show up as a parallel port. LinuxCNC will use it using GPIO.

[@tritile]

What is the usual parallel port latency with this setup?

[@Byte2Bot]

I made a short video a while ago that shows the latency. On a Pi5, it is about 1.5mS. kzbin.infouXpw--tIaa0

[@davers1610]

Do you know what kind of switching speed to expect on the PI 5 IO? i have been looking at using one but am unsure what to expect with max feeds and speeds.

[@Byte2Bot]

That is a good question, and is difficult to answer. I have my router set up for 1/4 stepping, and I limited the speed to 720mm/min. LinuxCNC claims that it's update rate is roughly 3300Hz on my Pi5. Jogging the machine, I estimate that each stepper motor rotates at 2 rotations per second roughly. If I do the math, 3300Hz / 200 steps per rotation / 4 (quarter stepping) / 2 rotations per second, I get roughly 2. This makes sense because the interrupt can either pull the GPIO line high or low and it takes 2 interrupts to complete the step. So the numbers make sense to me. Your machine will be different based on the setup. My gantry has a lot of mass so I limit the acceleration and max speed.

[@calico88]

Can you use all 5 axis with this boards ? And simultaneously 5 axis movement ?

[@Byte2Bot]

Yes, the hat has channels A and B wired up for direction and step signals, in addition to the X, Y, and Z channels. I have never needed more than 3 channels, so the actual setup of LinuxCNC configuration may be a little out of my area of expertise, but the hardware supports it. The only thing to watch out for is that the B-Direction signal is shared with the relay on the 5 axis breakout board. So if you intend to use that relay (most people don't), then you might have a conflict.

[@calico88]

@@Byte2Bot that’s so cool what you’ve done . Including parallel rasp pi 5 board.

[@calico88]

@@Byte2Bot so this hardware can do 5 axis TCP, RTCP kinematic ? Latency ?

[@Byte2Bot]

I measured a 2mS latency on my machine. Yes, the hardware supports 5 separate stepper motor outputs. TCP and RTCP are more software specific and I doubt LinuxCNC supports that. Also, if any machine supports that using stepper motors, send me a link! That would be about as exciting as a Volkswagen bug going 200mph.

[@calico88]

@@Byte2Bot i’m sure they can answer this in linuxcnc forum, pls do ask there, I would love to hear the answer.

[@MichaelAPede]

Do you sell the PI5 Hat that can do the Parallel port? Even just the bill of components and the design file would be great! Thanks!

[@Byte2Bot]

I do sell the parallel hat. I also sell the 5 axis break out board but mostly for convenience since it is available everywhere. The 3d printable plastic stand can be downloaded for free or purchased. The newest item is a USB-C plug that can be used to power the pi. That's a good idea about the list of parts! Thanks!

[@MichaelAPede]

@@Byte2Bot I just need the parallel hat. I have everything else. Like in the video, I'm trying to replace a PC with a Pi. Can you provide a link or something?

[@Byte2Bot]

@@MichaelAPede byte2bot.com/products/parallel-port-raspberry-pi-hat

[@ArcAiN6]

are the schematics available for the pi 5 hat?

[@Byte2Bot]

Yes, I added a link to the PDF of the schematics to the last line of the product description on my website.

[@dwayneattard5265]

Does Linux CNC have to run parallel? I have a cheap Mach 3 board I got from Amazon and wanted to move it from a PC USB cable to a Raspberry Pi. This means I could use a bigger heat sync since I don't need a hate and have the same flexibility as you do.

[@Byte2Bot]

I have not tried a USB to parallel adapter. If the driver works, then perhaps you could get it to work.

[@1pcfred]

@@Byte2Bot I doubt it unless LinuxCNC has radically changed their policies. They have their valid reasons why they don't support CNC output over USB. The LinuxCNC project is driven by technical excellence. So to that end there's just some things they won't do. When LinuxCNC says they're a hard real time machine controller they mean it. No monkey business. USB and dongles are the road to monkey business.

[@mattivirta]

better fight mach3 USB card and software to trash and use only linuxcnc not need more, buy paraller port card pciE MCxxxx chip, and connect normal cheap 10$ parallerport breakoutboard to PC and then wiring drivers. lot better than all USB mach3 systems, windows OS NOT have realtime and safety control any machine, eed use linux OS realtime kerel system if want safe and true good system.

[@mattivirta]

Raspberry pi GPIO can controller drivers input traight, not need breakoutboard use if not want. only connect GPIO pin to stepper motor drivers step , direction, enable pins better use optocoupler GPIO output and drivers input pins. easy way this have too use. same than arduino can use direct output pins to drivers, not need breakoutboard. or arduino cnc chield.

[@bob_mosavo]

Cool‼ Thanks 👍

[@fritzgutten1]

So. Why didn't you make a complete solution In one hat and eliminate the need for the db25 all together?... Edit to clarify... Super cool concept and looks great. Definitely an option for future upgrades for me! Just curious about reasoning.

[@Byte2Bot]

Great question! I was wondering who would be the first to ask! It kind of boiled down to two reasons. First, the 5 axis breakout board is so incredibly inexpensive that I was worried that I wouldn't be able to purchase the components for as low as I could buy the board for. The second reason is that that 5 axis breakout board is available everywhere. Alibaba, AliExpress, Ebay, Amazon, everyone carries it. My guess was that a lot of people may be using it already. If they are already using it, then they just need a convenient way to plug the Pi into it instead of their PC. Changing the CNC's wiring to accommodate whatever board I come up with might be a hassle and I would have to mimic the same physical layout of the connectors. Also, I ended up adding a lot more to my board than I originally intended, and I wouldn't have been able to fit the 'hat' form factor if I included the functionality of the 5 axis breakout board. Having a DB25 connector does mean one more point of failure, but the risk is quite low. In the future I may just go ahead and make a larger board with everything on it. We'll see.

[@fritzgutten1]

@@Byte2Bot well thank you sir! I appreciate the response. I understand your reasoning. I will keep an eye on you and maybe buy a board, just in case!

[@jamescullins2709]

Will LinuxCNC control a spindle via RS485?

[@Byte2Bot]

I have heard that it will, but I haven't tried it myself. I went ahead and put the RS485 hardware on the hat just in case, so if you get it working on any hardware, even a USB adapter, please let me know!

[@jamescullins2709]

I am 82yrs but if I were still a bit younger I would give it a try. Nice job@@Byte2Bot

[@mattivirta]

yes can VFD connect to USB modbus RS485 dongle and then need do linuxcnc hal code, i not knoew code anythink but i has search and learn this little bit can do.

[@lohith2419]

How did u changed the resolution because it is showing default, minimum and maximum resolution is 1920×1080 for me plz help. I need to change the resolution

[@Byte2Bot]

@@lohith2419 I did two things. I went to the thrift store to get a monitor that worked. My original was a Dell monitor with the non-HD resolution and the new Pi image didn't seem to like it. The HD resolution monitor works better. Also, for display tweaking I use a command line tool called randr. Google it to see how to use it. If you find a setting you like, it can be put into a startup script.

[@lohith2419]

@@Byte2Bot can i get u r social media handle because iam stuck in one small problem.

[@lohith2419]

@@Byte2Bot iam getting this kind of error when i run in raspberry pi 5 Debug file information: Note: Using POSIX realtime The GPIO line GPIO16 can not be found hal_gpio: rtapi_app_main: Operation not permitted (-1) ./my_machine.hal:7: waitpid failed /usr/bin/rtapi_app hal_gpio ./my_machine.hal:7: /usr/bin/rtapi_app exited without becoming ready ./my_machine.hal:7: insmod for hal_gpio failed, returned -1 7869 Stopping realtime threads Unloading hal components Note: Using POSIX realtime can u help me ? the same cod e when i run in raspberry pi 4 model b it works. But in raspberry pi 5 it is generating error like the above.

[@Byte2Bot]

@@lohith2419 The Pi4 and Pi5 have a different architecture for GPIO and the way LinuxCNC uses them has different syntax. I supply different HAL files that you can download from the parallel hat product page. Have a look at how the syntax changes between the Pi4 HAL file and the Pi5 HAL file. Then update your HAL file accordingly.

[@lohith2419]

@@Byte2Bot can I get u r any social media handle plz.

[@lohith2419]

iam getting this kind of error when i run in raspberry pi 5 Debug file information: Note: Using POSIX realtime The GPIO line GPIO16 can not be found hal_gpio: rtapi_app_main: Operation not permitted (-1) ./my_machine.hal:7: waitpid failed /usr/bin/rtapi_app hal_gpio ./my_machine.hal:7: /usr/bin/rtapi_app exited without becoming ready ./my_machine.hal:7: insmod for hal_gpio failed, returned -1 7869 Stopping realtime threads Unloading hal components Note: Using POSIX realtime can u help me ? the same cod e when i run in raspberry pi 4 model b it works. But in raspberry pi 5 it is generating error like the above.

[@BrianSidebotham]

Same here on an RPI4b

[@gurumurthy779]

7:51 can you tell me where is this file located i cant find it and did it solved gpio problems explain in more depth

[@Byte2Bot]

The Pi5 HAL sample file is located here: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0727/8601/8601/files/cncRouterPi5.hal?v=1705210460 The link for it and the Pi4 version are on the parallel hat product page at byte2bot.com. I am not in any way an expert on configuring the HAL files, but my understanding is that the Pi5 internal bus architecture is slightly different, allowing faster speeds and from a software perspective, much more similar to a standard Linux based computer. The Pi1-Pi4 was always slightly different, but the Pi5 changed that.

[@gurumurthy779]

​@Byte2Bot thank you but where exactly do I need to add this file I installed linuxcnc 2.9 optimised for pi 5 and also I am not using a parallel port, i have connected the gpio pins to 2 driver boards that that has 4 inputs ie two units of 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor and ULN2003 Stepper Motor Driver

[@Byte2Bot]

The HAL file that defines your machine should be in the configs folder, which is in the LinuxCNC main folder. At least that is where I put mine. There may already be a HAL file there if you are able to load LinuxCNC and run it. You can modify that HAL file or copy in a new one and name it the same. The HAL file that I supply is set up for specific GPIO pins to control specific outputs on the parallel port breakout board. So if you chose different GPIO pins for your setup, you will need to modify that HAL file.

[@bschwand]

My understanding is that this is just a dumb parallel port and stepping is done in software by linuxcnc ? It does not have hardware steppers, right ? in that case you should warn users of the serious limitations of such setup. Hardware steppers card interfaces to linuxcnc like the Mesa cards or some of the Ethernet based cards are the way to go for good performance. Software stepping is great for testing, but very disappointing if good performance is expected.

[@Byte2Bot]

You are correct, my board is just a level converter that allows a DB25 connection and can control a small DC motor. The timing and performance is dictated by the RTOS and LinuxCNC software. Yes, there are FPGA boards out there at 3x the cost that can give a little better performance, but I have been using the parallel port off an old PC for 15 years now without issue. In my experience, most people are DIY with a limited budget and getting their project up and running is a huge first step. Once they have it working and want to upgrade it, there are lots of options.

[@mattivirta]

@@Byte2Bot my linuxcnc working well whit old PC paraller port, and i has add second pciE paraller port too, and 2 pcs paraller port breakoutboard, can use lot more in/out pins now, first card controller stepper motors drivers and second card controller all probe, limits, home, inputs. and VFD spindle speed. next cnc i build raspberry pi and mesa FBGA card lot better ad cheap use.

[@theGraphicAutist]

I thought I read somewhere that the reason people were using rasp pi was cuz they could use output pins INSTEAD of parallel port...? Guess I misinterpreted?

[@Byte2Bot]

I use the pi because it is smaller, cheaper, and doesn't usually go bad as fast as a typical motherboard. How you use the pi is up to you. The cheapest and easiest in my opinion is to use the GPIO on the header instead of a parallel port. The breakout board that I chose to use has a parallel port interface, so that is why I made the parallel hat for the pi which just connects the GPIO pins to the parallel port connector.

[@paradiselost9946]

i havent used my CNC mill in a decade since winXP and the last PC running it went bung, and yeah... my gecko 540 gathers dust... been challenging finding a parallel port board that works... dont trust USB to parallel... i tried stuffing linuxcnc onto a PC a while back, and didnt get anywhere other than brick a PC. why would i have any luck with raspbery pi if i cant even do that? the next hurdle is putting the mill back together! lol. ballscrews all rusted out thanks to a well placed leak in the roof. new screws, metric this time! no more forgetting g21 and crashing... started scraping it. got held up with the main column and needing a special tool to check parallelism/twist in the ways... but never fear, i just made a new slit saw arbor so i can mount the indicator so i can measure the freaking column and the chunk of steel is sitting in the vice waiting for me to stop procrastinating to make said indicator mount... nevertheless, this does look interesting...

[@Byte2Bot]

I agree that installing LinuxCNC is a daunting task. Luckily they provide an SD image with it already installed. All you need to do is configure it for your machine. That in itself is sometimes frustrating, but rewarding too. It is worth trying even before you buy any other hardware just to get a feel for it, assuming that you already have a Pi.

[@paradiselost9946]

​@@Byte2Bot sent the link to a friend, i know he has a pi somewhere. it seems ideal for a neat build in a small enclosure. but i commented before i saw the breakout board was your own design and may not drive the gecko... it should, i doubt you went and did anything silly with pin designations or timing/baud rates? mach3? that was simplicity itself. the intention being to install, configure, MACHINE! not spend three weeks pulling ones hair out cus you gotta figure out dual boots or figure out UEFI blah blah... twiddle thumbs waiting for installations then nothing happens... shame its windows only. *shakes fist at kernels and firewalls* yknow, i worked on an old NC plugboard machine, and that was EASY!!!!!! if not rather awkward? the only challenge there was the same as any machine tool... feed rates, cutters, blah blah... i hate modern technology :)

[@1pcfred]

The challenge of CNC is it takes mechanical, electronic and software skills integrated to get it to work. Not many are good with all three. I made my first motor drives from scratch. The trick there is optically isolating the digital lines. Step and Dir. Took me a while to figure that one out.

[@paradiselost9946]

@@1pcfred lol, just reminded me... the LAST time i used my gecko was to drive a coil winder... only challenge there was calibrating the leadscrew and keeping tension whilst wrapping with insulating paper... i find the biggest challenge with software/hardware is how everything becomes obsolete almost immediately and it seems that every day you have to go and re-learn how to do everything. new acronyms, abbreviations... WTF is a "macro", FFS? "just throw a script at it i wrote in pypy..." open this , download that, buy those adaptors for ICSP... wait three weeks for delivery...its arrived? hey! we changed everything again!!!! thats not how you do it anymore! ARRRRGH!!!!!! i just wanna machine something! waaaah! i seriously regret spending so much time on sketchup? its freaking hard to make the change to "real" CAD... and how i miss sketchup 16, and all its little plugins. *shakes fist at google and trimble*

[@1pcfred]

@@paradiselost9946 are you familiar with the work of Terence McKenna and Alvin Toffler? Specifically Novelty Theory and Future Shock. They attempt to describe the times we're going through now. The struggle is real!

[@Ozmandius]

need a pop filter on that mic my man. ever PUH you sounded out kicked my floor from my subwoofer.

[@Byte2Bot]

Interesting. I generally just use the GoPro microphone and don't run any software filtering. No GoPro pop filters on Amazon. I have been using kdenlive for video editing and I haven't looked yet to see if it has a pop filter plugin or extension. Still getting the hang of it, but if you have a video editor software suggestion, I will be happy to give it a try!

[@Byte2Bot]

Oh snap. I completely forgot that on this video I did use a USB microphone. My bad. I will get a pop filter for it. I'll also turn the bass when reviewing future videos to try and catch audio issues. Thanks!!

[@matthewarchibald5118]

sweeet

[@MatsK007]

Not to ruin your day, but you know there are USB-Parallel port adapters?

[@Byte2Bot]

Honestly, I can't even count how many other implementations there are. Yes, USB adapters exist, FPGA boards exist, and some of those may be better suited for some applications. Just pick one that you know won't have any driver issues in Linux.

[@1pcfred]

@@Byte2Bot LinuxCNC is a project that uses Linux but LinuxCNC has nothing to do with Linux. The USB issue has nothing to do with drivers either. It has to do with USB itself. USB is polled as opposed to interrupted. So there's no guaranteed timings over USB. USB could certainly work most of the time. But that's not nearly enough time for the LinuxCNC team. They want it to work all of the time. So they won't support a half measure.

[@theGraphicAutist]

@@Byte2Bot usb has too much latency, hence the need to use parallel port to begin with

[@billh308]

You lost me when you decided to not use a Mesa Ethernet card.

[@the_teknomads]

Ditto. Parallel port? Wtf

[@RoboArc]

Any axtual reason you need linux cnc... this is a 3axis mill... is it needed not fr. Slap an 15$ arduino in it 😂

[@Byte2Bot]

3D printers can get away with very minimal display and processing power because there is no need for operations like stock material indication or multiple cuts on the same material. It is super nice to know what the toolpath looks like and where zero position is on the part before the stock gets indicated in. Manual controls for the spindle and axis are also super handy too. After using it I really don't want to use anything else. It is a luxury. :)

[@paulfoxharp]

@@Byte2Bot I couldn't agree more. I'm in a similar position, with a decades-old home-built CNC mill driven by a PC and linuxcnc. I looked into switching it to GRBL, or somesuch, but stopped when I realized how much functionality and flexibility I'd be giving up. I'm pleased to hear of your success with the RPi 5. In then end, can you run your axes as fast with the Pi as you could with the Dell PC? In other words, is latency no worse?