Wireless network to CNC

[WayneHill]

I am researching this device to connect wirelessly to the CNC machines from the network.

http://www.datahunter.com/peer.html

Is anyone here using a wireless network connection to their CNC?

We are currently using wireless laptops to enter production information to the SQL server. There is a dome antenna amplifer connected to the wireless router in the center of the factory. The signal to the wireless laptops is good to all four corners of the shop floor.

Using 802.11g

Any thoughts?

[Dan Fritz]

We sell and install DNC systems for a living (wired and wireless), and there is a LOT of wireless hardware out there that doesn't work very well.

We can say that this combination works:

Linksys WAP-54G access point (wired to your network)
Quatech SSEW-100D Ethernet Serial Device Server (connected to your CNC)

The Linksys AP is available anywhere, and the Quatech unit is available from www.quatech.com or several of it's distributors for about $375 each.

We've installed several of our PC-DNC Plus communications systems using this hardware combination, and everything worked great. Be sure that the firmware in the Linksys access point is the latest version. Older versions had lots of performance issues. Avoid the WAP-11B access point like the plague.

Unless the hardware combination has been tested by someone you trust in a shop environment, I wouldn't touch it.