Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC5 Floppy Drive- was -Digest Number 1725 message1

>The data, ie the machining program is a simple text file in ASCII format,
>which can be written by most word processors and saved in ASCII. - I'm
>quite happy programming manually.

The only downside to this is that the CNC5 is picky about the exact spacing
of its input, so you have to spend the time getting everything lined up.
Take a look at http://www.lechugilla.com/cnc5/ for a quick-and-dirty format
converter.

[snip]

>The old portables can often be picked up for $10 or 15 as they are totally
>superceded technology but long lived and reliable. The Nec Multispeed also
>can be used this way and has 2 built infloppies..

I picked up an old Pentium 66 for free, which lives in the shop next to my
lathe. When it gets enough chips in the keyboard to fail, I'll replace it
with another free PC. There are lots of old 486s out there that people are
more than willing to give away just to save the hassle of throwing them out.

Serial cables can be quite long and still work fine. It would be possible
to run a cable (3 wires should be all that are required, IIRC) from
somewhere else into the shop if you didn't want to get the computer dirty.

>Finally a couple of requests . I have the electronics for the CNC 5 tool
>turret fitted but I do not have the actual rotary turret - does any one
>have one of these they would be prepared to dispose of please.

There's one on eBay now. It closes sometime tomorrow, 10/24.