Re: Minimum reasonable computer speed?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Codesuidae <codesuidae@c...>
wrote:

> Whats the minimum reasonable computer platform for controlling

something

> like a 4 axis xylotec board?
>
> I've got an old 486 (about 33mhz), which I think should be

sufficent,

> but I just want to double check.
> Is there any advantage to running something faster?
>
> Thanks,
> CS

Well, it seems I may be the first to respond to the actual question ?

Turbo-CNC runs in DOS and will run fine on your 486. been there,
done that. however, you may find you cannot get more than about
15khz out of it.

for 1/4 stepping that is more than fast enough for most machines.
A NEMA-23 ( probably the stepper size that fits with the Xylotex)
maxes out at about 1,000 RPM. 15khz is about 4,000 (full) steps
second and with 200 steps per rev, is about 20 rev per second, or
1,200 RPM. Nice fit.

But, the big question should be what type of machine are you trying
to run ? It seems you and some others have put the cart before the
horse.

if you are running a small mill, with 2 axes, then Turbo-CNC is a
great program.

If you are running a plasma cutter and need 300 ipm rapids, not only
is your Xylotex undersized, you will need a faster puter.

Yes, Mach2 is nice, and yes some of the people are also selling
products that match with Mach2 (didn't think you could as a question
and not have at least one salesmans' response did you ?)

When you need to get past the home shop environment, and Mach2 is a
candadate, considder it top notch. But there are also comprable or
even better specific machine programs you should also considder.

Tell us what your machine is or will be and we can offer a more
accurate picture of what software you should evalualte.

But, as you probably know, many will require you to up-grade to 1gig
plus machines.

Dave