The only real difference between serial and parallel and USB is the hardware connector and the software driver. They all do the same job - get data out of the computer. Parallel has a wider path, ie. eight bits however serial does the same eight bits one at a time and with the speed or non speed of CNC it doesn't make a hoot of a difference. No matter how fast your CNC goes the serial port will stay ahead of it.
The only noticable difference would be with over 4 axises would require a second parallel cable while serial could handle more than four axises with one cable. It has always been my creed and I preached it to all of my customers. Buy the software you need to do your job then get the hardware required by that software. You never ask what size tires would be best on a car?
c_nut
In the swamps north of I10 mile post 223. |