Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 482
Posted by
Andrew Werby
on 2000-05-08 14:51:45 UTC
Re: PROJECTS STILL ON THE BURNER?
It now appears I can get my Beast (the 1984 Leadwell-Ramco) of a milling
machine to accept drip-feed input through its RS-232 port. I tracked down
the people who made the old Centurion IV control (they are called
Milltronics now, and are located in the Minneapolis area) , called the
number (952-442-1410) and talked to "the old guy in the back". He assured
me that if I could be happy with a 1200 baud rate, could come up with some
kind of "BTR" (Behind The Reader?) box and appropriate shielded cables, and
found a control program that could output my G-code as step and direction
through the serial port of my computer, using Microsoft's built-in
Hyperterminal or some other null modem connection, then I'd be in biz- able
to feed it unlimited-size files in DNC mode.
This sounds distinctly doable (much more so than the Brain Transplant), but
I've got some questions for the experts here:
What control program should I use to communicate with this old DC
servo-equipped mill? Is this a good excuse to try CNC Pro, or would
something else be better? Is the DOS port of EMC really ready and for sale
someplace? I think this would go fast enough on my P223, in DOS mode-
wouldn't the low baud rate be the limiting factor? How many inches per min.
should I expect, in contouring mode?
Do I really need some special BTR box, or can I go direct from the 9-pin
serial port of my computer? Does this machine need its code fed in some
special way, which the BTR translates from standard step-and-direction? If
I do need one, which is the most cost-effective (for an non-electronician)?
What about the "software handshaking" it uses: x-on x-off? How does that
work? Is this just a series of characters I need to insert at the beginning
of each program, (and if so, how do I find out what they are?) . I was
thinking of Predator cables- anybody had any experiences with them?
Predator also had a $700 control program (with cut previewing and other
nice features) - anybody tried it?
I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along...
Andrew Werby
http://www.computersculpture.com
Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
http://unitedartworks.com
It now appears I can get my Beast (the 1984 Leadwell-Ramco) of a milling
machine to accept drip-feed input through its RS-232 port. I tracked down
the people who made the old Centurion IV control (they are called
Milltronics now, and are located in the Minneapolis area) , called the
number (952-442-1410) and talked to "the old guy in the back". He assured
me that if I could be happy with a 1200 baud rate, could come up with some
kind of "BTR" (Behind The Reader?) box and appropriate shielded cables, and
found a control program that could output my G-code as step and direction
through the serial port of my computer, using Microsoft's built-in
Hyperterminal or some other null modem connection, then I'd be in biz- able
to feed it unlimited-size files in DNC mode.
This sounds distinctly doable (much more so than the Brain Transplant), but
I've got some questions for the experts here:
What control program should I use to communicate with this old DC
servo-equipped mill? Is this a good excuse to try CNC Pro, or would
something else be better? Is the DOS port of EMC really ready and for sale
someplace? I think this would go fast enough on my P223, in DOS mode-
wouldn't the low baud rate be the limiting factor? How many inches per min.
should I expect, in contouring mode?
Do I really need some special BTR box, or can I go direct from the 9-pin
serial port of my computer? Does this machine need its code fed in some
special way, which the BTR translates from standard step-and-direction? If
I do need one, which is the most cost-effective (for an non-electronician)?
What about the "software handshaking" it uses: x-on x-off? How does that
work? Is this just a series of characters I need to insert at the beginning
of each program, (and if so, how do I find out what they are?) . I was
thinking of Predator cables- anybody had any experiences with them?
Predator also had a $700 control program (with cut previewing and other
nice features) - anybody tried it?
I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along...
Andrew Werby
http://www.computersculpture.com
Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
http://unitedartworks.com
Discussion Thread
David Forsyth
2000-05-07 04:53:44 UTC
Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 482
Andrew Werby
2000-05-08 14:51:45 UTC
Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 482