Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] RS-232 port?

On Thursday 09 May 2002 17:49, you wrote:

> Do the terminal programs send the information to the lathe's controller as
> little packets? The Syntellect controller details says it'll take up to 99
> blocks of information. What does it mean by block, how does a block relate
> to a line?
>

not packets exactly but hardware (rts/cts) or software (xon/xoff) flow control
direct to the serial port

that sounds like running in DNC mode
the control will buffer 99 blocks at a time ,run them ,then ask the PC for
the next 99 ,it may or may not pause the machine while downloading
the next bufferfull of blocks
a block is normally one line of G-code

there might also be a file transfer function available from the edit mode of
the control that would let you send/receive whole files at a time but you'll
have to check with the manual on that

> The manual that came with the lathe has piccy's of the control cards in it
> that may be of some use with that, I haven't really looked in depth at them
> yet. One thing I noticed is that the control for this machine is apparently
> huge. There is a box about the size of a desktop under it with fans all
> over it. I'm praying this box will fit on my window ledge, then I can have
> my CNC lathe right next to my bed so's I can watch it work while I'm going
> to bed.
>
> :)

I hope its got a full chip enclosure :-)

Brian