IndexerLPT frontend found
Posted by
Carlos Guillermo
on 2001-02-20 11:41:11 UTC
List
I have finally found a g-code frontend for IndexerLPT!
Check out CNC-LPT at: http://machine-techs.com/
I have been corresponding with the author, Dan Symonds, and it sounds like
just the ticket. Its not windows-based, but it is said to run well in a
dos box, so file transfers, networking, etc., wont be tedious. I know many
people on this list are not interested in having to pay for two programs
(CNC-LPT frontend, $350 AND IndexerLPT, $250-350), but the smooth motion and
lookahead feature of IndexerLPT make this a big plus for the 3D contouring
work Ill be doing. It also has backlash compensation, something many felt
would be difficult to implement with IndexerLPT
The way I see it, if youre willing to pay $600 to $1100 for a s/w and h/w
combo system (Flashcut, EMC, etc.), then $600-700 for the Indexer/CNC-LPT
frontend system would get you more performance in many aspects (e.g., high
block-processing speed for mold-type work and 100 kHz+ steprates for fast
feeds at fine machine resolutions). It sounds like the g-code
implementation is pretty extensive, too, and there is HPGL capability and
support for toolchangers, etc. There is also a replacement for IndexerLPT
http://www.abilitysystems.com <http://www.abilitysystems.com/> ) in the
works, so the total price may drop in future.
By the way, you dont need two separate parallel port cards to run 4 axes
with IndexerLPT. You can buy a single card with 2 parallel ports for
$18-25. Its recommended to not use your PCs primary printer port, anyway,
to avoid blowing stuff directly on your motherboard.
Ill keep you posted as I learn more.
Carlos Guillermo
VERVE Engineering & Design
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have finally found a g-code frontend for IndexerLPT!
Check out CNC-LPT at: http://machine-techs.com/
I have been corresponding with the author, Dan Symonds, and it sounds like
just the ticket. Its not windows-based, but it is said to run well in a
dos box, so file transfers, networking, etc., wont be tedious. I know many
people on this list are not interested in having to pay for two programs
(CNC-LPT frontend, $350 AND IndexerLPT, $250-350), but the smooth motion and
lookahead feature of IndexerLPT make this a big plus for the 3D contouring
work Ill be doing. It also has backlash compensation, something many felt
would be difficult to implement with IndexerLPT
The way I see it, if youre willing to pay $600 to $1100 for a s/w and h/w
combo system (Flashcut, EMC, etc.), then $600-700 for the Indexer/CNC-LPT
frontend system would get you more performance in many aspects (e.g., high
block-processing speed for mold-type work and 100 kHz+ steprates for fast
feeds at fine machine resolutions). It sounds like the g-code
implementation is pretty extensive, too, and there is HPGL capability and
support for toolchangers, etc. There is also a replacement for IndexerLPT
http://www.abilitysystems.com <http://www.abilitysystems.com/> ) in the
works, so the total price may drop in future.
By the way, you dont need two separate parallel port cards to run 4 axes
with IndexerLPT. You can buy a single card with 2 parallel ports for
$18-25. Its recommended to not use your PCs primary printer port, anyway,
to avoid blowing stuff directly on your motherboard.
Ill keep you posted as I learn more.
Carlos Guillermo
VERVE Engineering & Design
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]