usb to parallel port adapter

[mmech]

i have bought the http://70.85.87.12/stepper/sp3HT.htm stepper motor package from stepperworld.com and would like to run the controller from my laptop. the problem is my laptop does not have the required 25 pin parallel port. can i use a usb to paralled port adapter to run the controller

http://newsite.pagecomputers.com/sto...uct%5Fid=15616

http://www.usbgear.com/USBG-4-DOC-1....+adapter&hl=en

[DareBee]

I cannot directly answer this question but when I upgraded my laptop and lost my serial port, I used a similar device to be able to DNC my machining centre. Had no trouble at all, just had to install a driver and assign a COM port number.

[DieGuy]

Using a usb to parallel adapter won't work. THe PC parallel port must be directly addressable by the CPU. For a printer this is not critical, but for CNC control the timings coming out of the parallel port is directly needed by the CNC controller. THe usb to parallel conversion is generally buffered and timing is not a consideration.

THe new Gecko rabbit based external CPU may be a solution to this problem though and the performance sounds like it will be lots better than the parallel port step generation.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by DieGuy THe new Gecko rabbit based external CPU may be a solution to this problem though and the performance sounds like it will be lots better than the parallel port step generation.

But it will be ~$500-$800 dollars with Mach4. It may be less, but I believe these are the numbers I've seen estimated.

[DieGuy]

Originally Posted by ger21 But it will be ~$500-$800 dollars with Mach4. It may be less, but I believe these are the numbers I've seen estimated.

no such thing as a free lunch! The performance enhancement may be worth it and Art has said that owners of MAch 2/3 will get a steep discount, I have heard numbers like $300 for exisitng license holders but that is certainly speculation until hard prices are set. It may well be worth it to get a higher frequency step train. I keep hearing frequencies like 200Khz vs normal Mach 2/3 frequencies of 25Khz.

[ger21]

I think it's 4 Mhz x 6 axis. As for the steep discount, I think it will be the $149 you paid for Mach3.

[DieGuy]

Well of course 4Mhz for a stepper system would be a huge improvement over the 25Khz parallel port systems but are those frequencies practical. Probably not unless your microstepping ratio goes up a like amount.

[ger21]

It let's you use much higher resolution encoders with servos. Now most guys use 250cpr encoders due to the parallel port limitations.

[mmech]

i hoping someone will come along and say "yes". is anybody else sure it will not work. for convenience sake running the stepperworld controller of my laptop would be the best.

[ger21]

It won't work.

[abasir]

USB-to-parallel will not work. I've bought one, tried it, hacked it everyway I could with no success. If you still want to use the laptop, get the PCMCIA-based parallel port such as at http://www.transdigital.net/

[smarbaga]

usb2 specs are up to 2 megabit data transfer.
a usb to printer port adapter will not work because there is no handshaking between the printer and computer, (ack, etc.).
a dedicated usb breakout box will work, the handshaking signals must be re_directed or assigned to the correponding breakout i/o pins (strobe, ack, etc..)
a usb to zip drive adapter may work, (if there is such a thing) u would want to try one , with the agreement for a refund if it doesn't function as u wish.
a controller minimumlly need only a step and direction line. ( minimum per axis)