Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] RE: PIC DRO Revisited

"SMITH, THOMAS B. (JSC-DX)" wrote:

> From: "SMITH, THOMAS B. (JSC-DX)" <tbsmith@...>
>
> It may already be obvious, but if you don't have the space for an old PC,
> you may want to do what I did and use an old laptop. I don't have pictures
> up yet, but I used a laptop with Steve Lindsay's DRO shareware. I tried
> about 6 different laptops (I got them at a gov't auction) before I found one
> that worked well. The Compaq 4/33C had the best printer port and worked
> even better than pentium 120's or faster 486's (I still get a few errors,
> but only if several axes are moving at the same time). You could probably
> get one for less than $100 on Ebay. Plus, I can easily disconnect it and use
> it on the workbench for other things, like connecting to a multimeter.
>
> Here's my question...I also got an old HP scanner in the same lot and I took
> it apart for the first surface mirrors (for my laser alignment setup).
> There was a small stepper motor inside (about 1.1/2" square). Could it be
> used for anything in the shop, other than a paper weight?
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
>

Why not use an old laptop for your CNC controller also. I have one which will run dos / windows / linux, has a decent display
and could conceivably be used as the CNC control PC in my shop. In fact I have Redhat 5.2 running on it with EMC just to play
with. I also have run dos on it with desknc and have been thinking of using it with CNC Pro for my CNC controller. It doesn't
take up much room. and with the built in pointing device, screen and ports all in one box it is the right size for use with my
table top machines.

John Guenther