[Emc-users] What else can it do besides control steppers and servos?

[Juan V. <gre...@ya...>]

Hello everyone,
 
I am looking for a software solution that will allow me to control a few machines in a factory, but not necessarily at the same time.  These machines will not be typical CNC mills, in that they will also contain pneumatic components and other common factory automation components.  I know that EMC is combined with Synergy to handle CAD/CAM, but what else can it be combined with?  Can it interface with software that can handle point to point commands for robotic applications?  I would really like to make use of EMC because I prefer Linux over Windows.
 
My other concern is being able to find hardware that is as flexible as Galil's hardware.  They make motion controller boards that can interface with sinusoidal encoder interpolation boards, extension boards to add additional axis, and amps for both steppers and servos.  A computer should be just as flexible so long as one can find a variety of PCI boards that do all of these things, right?  I've already looked at some of the links to hardware but was expecting to find some well known Japanese brands, or just more options.  I would appreciate any suggestions.
 
John  V.  

		
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