Re: Can I make a XYZ CNC?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Smith" <imserv@v...>

> > A veriest tyro does not know it is easier to use a PC parallel
> port
> > than any other method.
> >
>
> That may depend on your view point, and what you are trying to
> accomplish.
>
> If you have a lap top, parallel port interfacing can be frustrating
> and not "easy".
>
> In my opinion, as a salesman, a plug and play DeskCNC serial

controller is easier

> than any parallel port interface.
>
> Fred Smith - IMService

I can never understand why someone would want to use a lap top for
something as embedded as a CNC controller.
OK I know it's a hobby but we want it to emulate the big boys so no
wandering off, rules are rules <g>

Now the big boys have this dedicated all singing all dancing piece of
electronics that costs tens of thousands of $$$$ but all it can go is
say go to xxxx [ or yyyy]

Now the hobbiest OTOH has cashed his stock of bottletops in and bought
a S/H laptop.
Not only has this got things like onboard graphics, shared memory and
got knows what else running at the same time but not only does our
intrepid hobbiest want to run a dedicated controller he also wants to
play games, look at his email and surf the net at the same time.

When this thing takes the shape of a vertically challenged mammory
gland he's the first to moan.
Incidently you don't see the Fanuc / Fadal/ Heidenhain operator bemoan
the fact he can't access his email, after all he's only paid $10,000

But why does this come about? the most demanding system at present is
mach2 which requires a 1 gig processor at the least. Round here you
can't buy anything less than a 2.4G in even the most base startup
computer.
Others like Freds DeskCNC can get away with far less, in other words
the type of computer that is literally being throw away at the moment.

There is no reason why a CNC system can't be setup to be just a
dedicated controller, leave the CAD/CAM and email to something that
isn't timing dependant. see there a job from that laptop <g>

John S.