Single Board Computer Recommendations for Stepper Motor Application

[DaveOrZach]

I'm looking for a SBC recommendation for a stepper motor application for my employer. The stepper motor will rotate a chuck and an external device will take measurements based on the chuck's position. The measurement data will go back to the SBC via a serial cable. The program displays an a statistical summary of the measurements at the end; min, max, average, etc. The SBC will replace a Windows PC. I plan on porting our existing C#/.NET program to Python 3. I think the existing stepper motor is a NEMA 17 and accurate with 1° (microstepping is used.)

Requirements

1. Serial port to interface with an external measurement device
2. Interface for a stepper motor (preferably two)
3. Runs Python (preferably version 3)
4. Expansion boards okay but no breadboards
5. A case for the SBC/expansion board
6. Microstepping or halfstepping would be a big plus

Raspberry PI 2 & RasPiRobot expansion may work but I can't tell if I can use a serial port and a stepper motor at the same time. I've also look Beagleboard Black.

 

[ImRaptor]

Have you looked at the Netduino 3 at all? Might be an easier transition for you coming from an existing .NET program.
With reading serial data my first thought is that a micro-controller would be a better fit, but that doesn't really go with Python.

This would probably be a better question to put in to the Ars DIY forum.

 

[DaveOrZach]

Thanks. I'll try the DIY board.