CAD CAM EDM DRO - Yahoo Group Archive

IndexerLPT frontend found

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. It’s not windows-based, but it is said to run well in a
dos box, so file transfers, networking, etc., won’t 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 I’ll be doing. It also has backlash compensation, something many felt
would be difficult to implement with IndexerLPT

The way I see it, if you’re 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 don’t 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. It’s recommended to not use your PC’s primary printer port, anyway,
to avoid “blowing” stuff directly on your motherboard.

I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.

Carlos Guillermo
VERVE Engineering & Design



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Discussion Thread

Carlos Guillermo 2001-02-20 11:41:11 UTC IndexerLPT frontend found