K8055 as a PLC - problem with conversion times

Kits Microcontroller Programmer - Experimenting Project
1

Hi

I am working on a CNC project using the K8055 as a PLC to send pulses to my stepper motor controllers.

The problem that I have got is that sending pulses to the stepper motor controllers takes 40 ms for each pulse (20 ms for switching one of the digital outputs to “on” and 20 ms for switching it to “off”). The reaction time of the K8055 makes my stepper motors turning so slow that the machine only moves 24 mm in 33 sec.

I was wondering if there is a way to speed the board up or any other solution like adding a pulse multiplier to the output? The CNC only requires an accuracy of +/- 0.5 mm and would handle a x40 pulse multiplier easily. Is there any kit or solution available?

There is one reason why I did not look into the possibility of using another USB breakout board: It was quite an effort to get my Java program talking to the K8055 (unfortunately this was at a time when I did not know that I am going to build a CNC). Using any other USB breakout board might mean that I would have to go through the same painful process again.

I would like to know if there is any painless solution for how to improve the situation.

Thanks,

Stephan

2

The K8055 has always been “billed” as an “Experimental Interface Board”–I.e. it is a proof-of-concept/learning tool/arguably “toy” interface.

I think you are asking more of it than it was designed, or ever been claimed, to do…

3

So is there any other PLC fast / professional enough to do the job?