Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] RS-232 port?

Hello dudes and dudettes of CCED,

I finally got to feel up the lathe that will be mine on Friday this
afternoon. I poked the control on the Orac and wondered how annoying it
would get inputting programs by hand on the bendy Perspex screen. I felt
around the back and felt a connection, one for TV's (The old microprocessor
monitor connection) a couple that looked literally like they'd have
connected somewhere but someone had cut them and one big blue one like a
parallel port. I read in the help booklets that this is the RS 232
inter-connection port.

On the front of the same booklet is an incredibly stylish work bench in
true 1980's decor with a ultra speedy microprocessor on the desk worth £900.
I would scan the front of these just for the laughs you can get from them.
Is there a way to connect my pc thru the RS 232 so I don't have to bother
with a new drive? The thing uses tapes but I mean come on! I don't even
listen to music on tapes anymore. :)

Thanks for your help guys,
John H.

Hi John,

The short answer is "no", unless you have the off machine software and it is
capable of being run on a PC. I have just bought a Harrison 280 Trainer
CNC/Manual lathe. The controllers should be of standard design but the
computer is an Acorn with tape drive. Off machine software is still
available from the company that will run on a PC @ about $250 but I will
need an old twin floppy system to run it on?

I am considering ripping the whole lot out and installing a PC as soon as
the thing stops working.

Regards,

Terry