30 ipm

After a couple of weeks of computer problems (don't ask) I was able to try
the demo version of CNCPro on my Sherline mill, and 30ipm rapids are no
problem (though I'm not able to jog the Z axis because my sealed laboratory
keyboard doesn't have "page up" or "page down" keys... So DeskNCrt does
seem to be the limitation. I have the period set to where the CPU is about
90% during moves, so maybe I have some other parameter tweaking to do.

But for the long run, it looks like I can spend $175 for CNC Pro or $175
for DeskWinNC. At this point I'm not at all sure of the long-term
implications of either (CNC Pro is very well recommended, but DeskWinNC
might have more ultimate potential)

On a separate note, I've been able to get my i-opener (hacked flat-screen
Internet appliance--see http://briefcase.yahoo.com/passive_i) to control
the mill using DeskNCrt in DOS mode under Win98SE. This is the computer
I'd ultimately like to use. It has a 200 MHz Winchip so should be fast
enough for anything I want to do with the Sherline (since the 30ipm with
CNC Pro is on a P100...)

Best regards,

Randy (Sheline 5400 w/counterbalanced Z axis, Sherline steppers, Mauch 2A
board, 24V/8A power supply)

Randy Gordon-Gilmore ,----.___________ ______________ _________________
ProtoTrains // = = === == || == == == = || == == == = == =|
Rio Vista, CA, USA /-O==O------------o==o------------o==o-----------o==o-'
zephyrus@... http://www.rickadee.net/~zephyrus