'Laptop on the Machine Shop Floor'

Laptop on the Machine Shop Floor

Barney (63.176.159.11) -

I lot of people talk about my favoriate path to frustration. Purchasing a "cheap" used laptop to use with your CNC machine.

Yes, for $200 you can probably get a laptop that you can use right there with your CNC machine.

Problem #1: did it come with Windows CD's and license (oh, it was really old and doesn't have a CD drive -- fun when you want to install a new program).

Problem #2: your probably gonna be backing up in floppy now.

Problem #3: your completely out of luck when the laptop fails or gets dropped! (Opps... that's problem #4).

Problem #4: your laptop will get drops or damaged soon enough on the floor.

The best solution is a good cabling hookup and wireless intercom to communicate with your regular PC that is safeguarded in your office and which is backed up regularly.

Of course if you enjoy endless frustration and slow computers go head and get that used $200 laptop. When you tire of it in the shop, I bet you can't even pay your kids to use it!

Comment #1 gar (70.227.204.254) -

Barney:

Our I232 and E232 systems provide wired communication up to 115.2 kbaud.

The I232 is an RS232 to RS232 Isolator with real world cable length capability of 4000 ft at 115.2 kbaud. +/-2000 V peak isolation is provided.

The E232 is an Ethernet to RS232 system with special required communication software that greatly eases program transfers. Cable length is defined by the Ethernet network. Maximum baud rate is 115.2 kbaud.

Both systems reduce common mode noise problems, and provide RS232 port protection from internect cable problems or large difference voltages between computer and CNC.

Drip feed starvation is generally eliminated by the high baud rate capability. Of course your CNC may be the limiting factor here.

see our web site www.beta-a2.com

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Comment #2 Ted (200.172.107.234) -

Yes, that I232 works very well.

Comment #3 Corey from Oak Ridge TN -

We use Comtrol Devicemaster 32port RTS "www.comtrol.com". This basicly puts all of your CNC's on the network thru a com port. Once you have installed the drivers you can download to 32 machines without having to go to each machine. Also we figured out that we can use a PDA with a wireless network to download to machines as well. The cool thing about that is you can keep the pda in you pocket or on a charger and walk to each CNC and download it took a little while to figure out but now we can leave all of the machines connected to the Comtrol Devicemaster and thru a connection with Wireless network we can down load with a wireless laptop or PDA. The Comtrol Devicemaster will work with a driver or you can use theSocket Comm which is built in to the Devicemaster. The draw back is Devicemasters are a little pricey but depending on the sized of you Shop floor and how often you go from area to area they can come in handy.

Also I might add you can use a Startech KVM extender "www.startech.com" were you can place your Computer in a clean envormental and place the monitor keyboard and mouse out on the shop floor. I currently have one running with the Keyboard, mouse and Monitor 125' away from the Computer. The Startech sends the Keyboard, Mouse and monitor signals of a Cat5e network line depending on the distance you may need to lower your resolution to 800x600. You can also on the computer side have an extra keyboard, mouse and Monitor for local use.

Comment #4 smartvm (59.91.195.125) -

Cat5 extender allows you to extend using regular & inexpensive Cat5e or Cat6 UTP cable. These extenders include local & remote units. Cat5 Extender allows you to extend to long lengths over Cat5/6/7 and you no longer need to run long bulky coax cables. The available options are audio extenders, RS232 extenders,

DVI-D fiber optic cable Extender , firewire optical extenders, USB extenders, USB KVM extender, Video Splitter extender via Cat5

and VGA extenders.

KVM extender allows you to extend PS2 keyboard, PS2 mouse and VGA video remotely up to 1000 feet away from a computer. KVM extenders are ideal for applications like public broadcasting, banks, classrooms, tradeshows, and other mission critical locations.

We also carry a wide range of DVI-D extender products like DVI-D Single link fiber optic extension cables, DVI-D repeater, DVI-D Extender Cat5, DVI-D Splitter Extender Cat5, DVI-D Single Link Fiber optic extender, DVI-D dual link fiber optic extender and DVI-D USB Fiber Optic extender .

• Best KVM Extender

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