"- would it work with an esp8266 (powerful enough?) and 315mhz rf emitter only (as it will talk with existing receiver I think) instead of spark photon/arduino and rf paired Tx+Rx ? Just for understanding, cost is not a concern here.- I have read that genuine speed control has 16 levels (up to 180 strokes/minute). For suction, (as you have had a look inside...), I think it is set with a peristaltic micro pump (right?). But then, there are no steps/levels ? And how are vacuum/pressure limited? ..."

1) Yes it should work with any board, I just tend to use the Photon mostly.

2) You need the receiver only initially to actually read the codes from your original remote, I believe they make 5 code variants of the remote (denoted by a letter on the back of the remote on a sticker) So giving you my codes may not make yours work.

3)No, its a pair of solenoid air valves each paired with a one way flap valve….there is no pump as such, the theory being that the pressure in the chamber alternates high to low and so the rotation of the motor will make the sealed system vent or un-vent(?!) if either of the valves happen to be open at the time of rotation. This is why it adjusts the pressure only a little bit per rotation. There are no steps to the pressure at all, it is just the system releasing some of its pressure/vacuum as the piston moves into a negative/positive pressure region.

4) I don’t actually have the blynk interface any more as I moved onto a different project with a modified Venus 2000, but if I recall i set it up very similarly to the normal remote.

5) Some of the more complex sequencing is going to be more difficult without the position sensing modification especially if you plan to make the machine come to a complete stop, this is because with the unknown position, the STOP could happen at any position, this is often not ideal especially if the receiver is toward the tip (:-O) as it can easily then fall off. IMO you would be better off going more with fast/slow type routines and keep the receiver moving