- the Ethernet SmoothStepper (ESS) is a high-performance, **6 axis external motion controller for Mach3 and Mach4**. it is capable of producing pulses at very high frequencies and with extremely low jitter compared to the Parallel Port driver and microcontroller based solutions
- Motor control capability Up to **6 Motors (Step and Direction, Quadrature, or CW/CCW)** and max frequency upto 4 Mhz.
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@@ -173,5 +175,34 @@ The ESS is intended to connect to your equipment via a “parallel port breakout
One of the best breakout boards for using with the ethernet SmoothStepper is the [C25XP - Smooth Stepper Integrated Board](https://www.cnc4pc.com/c25xp-smooth-stepper-integrated-board.html) from CNC4PC, a Florida-based manufacturer. C25XP breakout board can be bought either as a separate breakout board or with ESS integrated to it.
### 2. Best LinuxCNC Controller :
The best motion controller for running a LinuxCNC based CNC machine is the Mesa 7I76E controller board.
it is beneficial to have a separate ethernet controller card like Mesa 7I76E instead of just using your PC as the controller for several reasons:
- An ethernet based card like Mesa 7I76E eliminates the need for having a computer with a parallel port and you can run it off even a laptop.
- It transfers the bulk of the heavy lifting off your computer to the card like the hardware step generation and encoding.
- Inputs can switch 5 to 32 volts , output can switch 5 to 28 volts.
- The card allows connecting encoders like a spindle encoder, which can give you feedback and alert you in case of issues.
- Gives you significantly more i/o pins compared to the parallel port.
- Isolates your computer from the circuit of the CNC.
### 3. Best Raspberry Pi CNC Controller:
The drive systems of CNC machines, 3D printers, and other automated tools traditionally have at least four components in the chain. There is the computer which sends G-code commands, a controller board which interprets those commands and turns them into stepper signals, drivers that power the stepper motors, and the stepper motors themselves. Each of those parts costs money, so making any one of them unnecessary is a good thing — which is exactly [what Raspigcd does](https://github.com/pantadeusz/raspigcd).
The Raspberry Pi G-CODE Interpreter removes the need for the controller board by bypassing the control board and sending stepper motor signals directly to the stepper drivers. It runs on both the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3, which then connect to the stepper drivers through the GPIO pins. That eliminates the need for an intermediary device like an Arduino or purpose-built control board.
Aside from saving money, using Raspigcd also affords you the opportunity to create an interface for your 3D printer or CNC mill that runs completely on the Raspberry Pi
- The Buildbotics is a 4-axis CNC controller and both the hardware and software are open-source.
- The decision to make the controller open-source will help ensure that the development of this controller doesn't stagnate like many other proprietary controllers.
- You don't need a dedicated computer to run this controller.
### 4. Best GRBL CNC Controllers :
These [seven are some of the best GRBL CNC controllers](https://theedgecutter.com/best-grbl-cnc-controllers/) that have been enumerated for better guidance of an Arduino user. These controllers are mostly used by DIY enthusiasts when they are building their own custom DIY CNC machine.
