Selecting Arduino

Projects General Guidance
1

I have absolutely no knowledge of the Arduino so my questions might sound dumb to you.

  1. Is the Arduino capable of I/O?

  2. If so then can it control output based on input? i.g., Rotary encoder feedback.

  3. What is the clock frequency?

  4. Assuming that the Arduino is suitable for my need then which Arduino should I purchase?

I'm slow to catch on but with very little help I wrote my first computer program. It was the full feature OS for my CNC milling machine. All that I took into the project was my math skill. I have spent 55 years and counting in the machinist trade and some of that time was spent staring at a CRT and pondering what was happening behind the display. I had a full understanding of the axis drives but I had to know what controlled them. All that I'm asking for is a bump start.

Ron

2

  1. Is the Arduino capable of I/O?
    Yes

  2. If so then can it control output based on input? i.g., Rotary encoder feedback.
    Yes

  3. What is the clock frequency?
    Depends on the model

  4. Assuming that the Arduino is suitable for my need then which Arduino should I purchase?
    More details required of your project

3

The clock frequency of the Uno and Mega is 16 MHz.

...R

4

Depending on your application clock speed might not be all that important, also a poorly written/designed program can quickly undo a fast processor and conversely a well written program can make a slow processor scream

5

Actually your questions are good. Imagine most of us trying to set up a CNC machine to machine a part without any knowledge of what the machine is or how to turn it on much less the material, tools etc. We were all there at one time with the arduino etc. You have already solved the toughest part, you asked for help! This response is to help you get started in solving your problem, not solve it for you.
Good Luck & Have Fun!
Gil