Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Running small machine without computer

At 10:57 AM 10/16/2007, you wrote:

>You can get cheap, integrated pc´s for about 200$. They look like stereo
>boxes, and have std parallel port. This is what you want.
>You *can* get special-purpose bare-board pc´s for about 100 with an
>exotic process and packaging, but the likelihood of problems and the
>guaranteed non-availability of technical support regarding machine
>controllers makes this a very bad idea. I highly recommend going with
>packaged, std, bare-bones pc´s, best if you buy nos and a spare machine
>or 2.

Cheaper yet, buy the surplus PCs from a company
doing an upgrade. They almost pay you to take them away.

You can probably get EMC2 or a DOS product to run
from a USB stick, modern machines will boot from
them. Any PIII 1000 should be plenty and they
are being upgraded all the time. Interfacing two
push buttons (start and emergency stop) should be pretty easy.


David G. LeVine
Nashua, NH 03060