4 encoder inputs can be configured to work in 1X or 2X mode. The center wire is connected to the input pin and two other wires to ground and 5V connectors. A potentiometer can be connected directly to these inputs. 4 analog inputs can measure a voltage between 0-5V. A simple switch can be connected directly between input and ground. Inputs: 64 digital inputs (LS TTL) 4 analog inputs (0-5V) 4 encoder inputs (1x or 2x) All 64 digital 5V logic inputs are pulled up via LS TTL internal resistors. Card works also with Mach 3 keygrabber without encoder support. Although, I have also made a plugin wich makes card Mach 3 compatible. The card is primarily developed to be used with Linuc EMC software. Card is a generic Human Interface Device (HID) so it is supported on most operating systems including Windows and Linux.

Card is connected to PC via USB bus and operating systems recognizes it as two joystick devices both having 32 buttons and 4 axes. So we bought Martzis USB HID Interface (MUHI) Card Board For Linux EMC and Mach 3 PC Via BUS Here is the description: Martzis USB HID Interface card for Linux EMC and Mach 3 Martzis USB HID Interface (MUHI) card. Since we donot have any issue in this way, we explored a more interesting part, TALKING TO THE USB PORT FOR IO's.

Part of the documentation handles the serial port. We also learned that a USB connection is family of the serial port protocol.

On the other hand there are a lot of people, in doing a retrofit, that encounter IO's connected to a serial port card. But what about the serial port? Very fast we learned that the serial port is way too slow for any realtime access. We also solved to add a second parallel port getting another 17 extra IO's. An inexpensive choice was using the parallel port getting 17 extra IO's. How we handled the Serial & USB Port Since our VMC is a big iron, we ran out with available inputs & outputs quickly, using the Mesa Cards. USB or ethernet thru a plugin where Mach3 tells a controller what to do. Is there a way to ASCII data from G-code to a serial port for RS232. The Plugins on this page are the work of their respective authors, and not necessarily written (or supported). Plugins are expansion modules written for Mach3. This will enable your control board when your Mach3 is running. Mach3 is the most popular CNC control software.

Mach3 cnc serial port