Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Minimum reasonable computer speed?

turbulatordude wrote:

>--- 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
>>
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>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 ?
>
>

Indeed. :)

>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.
>
>

I was kind of figuring on starting with Turbo-CNC, its got a nice
price-point :)

>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.
>
>

Sorry, I should have included that. This will be running a Taig mill
with 200oz-in steppers. I'd like full 3 axis control, with the option
to add a rotary table in the future. The controller is actually the one
sold by HobbyCNC, which I've been told is very similar to the Xylotex
board (although it has a 44VDC max input). Seems not too many people
know what it is though, hence the 'Xylotex-like' statement. Its a 4
axis unipolar chopper type with 1/2,1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 microstepping.

http://www.hobbycnc.com/driverboards/4aupc/4aupc.htm

>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 ?)
>
>

Since I haven't started modeling parts yet I really haven't a clue what
I'm going to need out of a CAD program. Mach2 looks nice, and I've
installed the demo, but at this time I'm not interested in using it to
run the mill (I don't currently have hardware suitable to run it that
I'm willing to leave out in the garage with the mill). After I have a
better idea of what my needs will be I'll consider getting a new system
to dedicate to the task.

I'm perfectly at home in DOS, Linux or Windows, and while I'd prefer a
nice GUI for modeling complex parts, I don't have a problem with
something less than state-of-the-art for smaller stuff. I don't need to
use the same tool for each step of the process, but I would like a tool
that will interpret g-code and display a 3d model of what I should get
(like what MillWizard does). This will help me to set up and test while
I'm away from the machine.

Thanks
CS