without using a cable

[jwest]

hey i was wondering what there is avaliable for a cheap diy cnc that allows you to put your design on to a usb stick and load it directly on to the router, or even sending it wirelesly?

thanks

[jcc3inc]

Sir,

Most computers now have USB ports; with the Mach 3 you could take data from the thumb drive and use it to run the CNC.

Regards,
Jack C.

[WayneHill]

Wireless network cards would work.

[jwest]

Sir,

Most computers now have USB ports; with the Mach 3 you could take data from the thumb drive and use it to run the CNC.

Regards,
Jack C.

hi, thanks, but what hardware would you need on the cnc for this too work, just a usb port?

[Cartierusm]

I think he wants a CNC machine that has no computer attached, he just plugs in the USB thumb drive and it goes to work.

Jwest, sorry my friend not possible, you need a computer to control the machine or else it's just a pile of junk.

[jwillhite]

If your into programing you could buy a microcontroler and write some custom software.. then hook it up to your drivers... of course you'd still need a computer and all that stuff to program the microcontroler.. haha so if your trying to simplify and save money probably thats no good

[TOTALLYRC]

If you just want to transfer the g-code file from you development machine to the computer that is controling the router, then a usb stick is great.

Doing it wirelessly may or may not interupt the pulse train if using the ppport. I do not know if it will actually cause any problems, but I would make sure before adding something that will cause as many problems as it cures.

Mike

[Jeremy Harris]

One way to do this might be to use a SmoothStepper (which uses a USB connection to the controller PC), coupled with a wireless USB adapter to implement the control link. The SmoothStepper would be built in to the CNC machine, together with the stepper drivers and power supply.

There are potentially two snags though. Firstly, wireless USB link devices are both thin on the ground and expensive. The D-Link DUB9240 is the only one I can find after a quick search and this costs around $180. Secondly, I have no idea if the SmoothStepper will run over a wireless USB link or not. I can't see any obvious reason why it shouldn't, but the devil is usually in the details with this sort of stuff.

Finally, there may be safety issues in using a wireless connection. Should the communication link get corrupted or suffer from interference there is the possibility that the machine might make an uncommanded movement.

Jeremy