Re: Digest Number 221

Message: 13
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 22:05:10 +0200
From: "Arne Chr. Jorgensen" <instel@...
Subject: The BEAST

Hi,

I am very sorry Andrew, - but I finally found your
drawings.

[I'm glad you got to them, thanks. Like you, I never got digest #217, but I
managed to retrieve these comments of yours from the archives.]

I
picked up what someone else was talking about, and
even though I
have not looked much on it, I do see some of the
confusion.

The paper tape reader is a parallel interface -
going to T2.

[This machine doesn't seem to actually have a paper tape reader. I think it
must be on the plan as a vestige of the way things were. This was around
the time paper tape was being replaced with magnetic, and I guess they went
with the latter.]

You have both a current loop, and a RS232 interface
- to T4.

[And if I reverse my RS232 plug I get one or the other?]

And it looks like you have a magnetic tape - to T1.

The machine looks great ! :)

[Thanks- I'm starting to feel better about it myself. As long as it is
alive, I figure I should try to make it work more or less as is. I have
found somebody fairly local who can supply me with a "BTR" board (I think
it stands for "Behind the Tape Reader" ) and even install it for me. It's
not exactly cheap (about $1500 installed) but if it works as promised I
should be able to execute my long NC programs by feeding the code through
the parallel port of a 486 computer through this card and into the old (but
still running) computer that runs the mill. Since I'm not a programmer and
am pretty clueless about electronic hookups, this seemed like a good
solution for me- at least I'll have someone else to blame if wisps of smoke
start rising...]

I have not seen anything of it before, and I am
sorry. This tape
reader is a parallel interface, and has nothing to
do with the stuff
I said. I would need more info about it, but you
may be able to
make a smart program using the printer port of
another computer.

You should be able to download any programs, on a
current loop I
described ( TTY on T4 ) or just use common serial
port RS232.
( I could tell you how to wire up a current loop -
but the RS232
is easier. )

There might be some trouble - I just don't know.
You have to check
the manual. First, there should be an option to
select a download
on the RS232 port, and you would have to use that
one. Find the
baud rate and data setup, and set the "other"
computer serial port
to this setting.

If you don't find it anywhere, try to locate a
section that
describes how you can send data to this port. Wire
up and use
Procom, or any software that will emulate a
terminal. Test with
different baud rate settings, and you may find it
out that way. (
You should see something readable when it is right )

[I didn't see anything like that in the manual, unfortunately- it seems
dedicated to the use of the machine as is.]

I said, there may be some trouble. How much memory
is installed in
this machine ?

[How would I find out? My guess is- not much.]

For any data from an external port, paper or
computer, - it may use
the "mag.tape.deck" to store it on, and just use
smaller blocks as
needed. It would be useful if you also had the
labels for the 26
wired flat cable. Does it work ?

[I think so. There aren't any labels on it, but the initialization tape did
work last time it was tried.]

If not, then you may have luck if you have those
interface data .
Let me stress this point: It does not have to be
anything like
this, - I just say it could be.

Anyway - some of this is guess work. For a machine
from -83, I
would believe that you could get all parts and help
needed. In this
context ( machines ) - I doubt that you will gain
much at all with a
"new" brain. It simply should work okay. But if you
want to do it, -
then I would like to see what kind of servo stuff
you have. I don't
find anything on the schematics. ( I didn't get any
nice printout,
maybe I haven't looked good enough )

[I'm coming around to your way of thinking, Arne (and Ray). If it ain't
broke, why fix it? Coming in through the tape drive seems like the minimum
retrofit that will make it do what I want. I don't need to make it go
super-fast; my main concern is to execute large programs. I'm still going
to get a chance to play with EMC, setting up the router I've been
collecting parts for. (anybody seen any good deals on large sliding stages
or open linear bearings with long supported shafts? Lightly used or surplus
would be fine.) But I'd like to get this Beast up and running soon, if
only to justify all the space it takes up in my shop.]

I wonder if you once said something about the CRT.
According to
these drawings, you will not have any trouble
replacing it.

[Actually, I've got a spare that came with the machine. How exactly do
these things go in and out? Is there a plug, or do I have to unsolder and
resolder a bunch of stuff? The one that's in there can be read, but it's
got some nasty "wrinkles" in the picture that don't inspire confidence.]

Andrew Werby




Andrew Werby - United Artworks
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