Finally: a floppy drive to USB conversion for older machines

[Donkey Hotey]

Have you guys seen this?

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69215

It looks like somebody finally made what we were looking for: a drop-in, plug-in replacement for a floppy drive form factor that takes USB thumbdrives.

[automizer]

$299.99
neat but I have a sony brand USB floppy drive to "dub down" the USB machine

[Donkey Hotey]

$300 is a bargain compared to the Haas alternative (Hard Drive / Ethernet).

[xiondavis]

I saw the announcement for this a couple years ago - it was from a chinese company and there were no distributors - look like someone finally decided to distribute

Can you DNC from a floppy on Haas? That might work great - I have 16mb of ram on my Haas, and as you fill it up, the program selection gets slower and slower...

I'd be a bit worried about the Haas programming - they programmed the floppy interface, expecting a floppy - there might be problems with files larger than floppy, if they did any optimization, rather than just reading to end of data.

If anyone tries this, please post your results and how you used it... If it was only $150, i'd have already ordered just to try it out.

[xiondavis]

FYI - they posted a PDF on the website selling the floppy drive adapter.

http://www.plrelectronics.com/3-and-...der-Manual.pdf

After reading though it, it seems it will be compatible with the Haas. A few notes:

1. A usb drive or a folder on a usb drive can be "mapped" to the floppy drive adapter.
2. The total size of the files in the mapping cannot exceed 1.44mb
3. The network port on the adapter is actually a RS485 port, not ethernet.
4. There is a delay between read and write that could cause an error in the host machine.

Because the size of the files in the mapping must not exceed the size of files that can fit on a floppy, I'm fairly confident that this will be compatible with the Haas controller. I was expecting to be able to load files larger than 1.44mb (3d toolpaths can get quite large).

I asked them if they would send me a sample or discounted test item, but no response. I don't think its worth $300 for me to discard my usb floppy just yet. In fact, I usually transfer files and DNC wirelessly via my ConnectBlue bluetooth to RS232 adapter I purchased on ebay for $50.

[procomp]

Hi Greg,

We are a legacy motherboard and component supplier to the CNC industry.

We finally received samples of the Floppy to USB drives.

These units configure a USB Media Drive to hold 100 virtual floppy disks. They virtual disks are toggled using the buttons on the right. I am working on the manual and spec sheet now but have tested both the single version and the multi version in the lab and they work great.

We have a limited quantity of samples but can send you one if you would like. The multi version (P/N FDDUSB3) is $149 and the single floppy version (P/N FDDUSB2) is $79. Please call me if you would like to discuss.


Thanks and Regards,

Tony Proia
Electronic Solutions Associates
803 Stevens Avenue
Oldsmar, FL 34677
+1 561.226.1309 v, +1 561.226.1312 f, www.esapcsolutions.com

[Kwalityenterpri]

Hi Guys
We are having a solution for every Floppy to USB Conversions/ simulator. I have worked on Embroidery, Knitting , Misical Keyboards, CNC Machines etc.

for more detail pls mail me at vishal@keindia.com so that I can send you the related manual

The 100 unit model is for 90USD . We can discuss on bulk quantities.
Regards
Vishal.
+91-9780485865

[Kwalityenterpri]

Hi
Prices revised. 50USD per unit.
for details please visit : floppytousb.net
Regards
Vishal.

[Donkey Hotey]

At $50, I'll take a chance. I've got cases of brand-new floppies but, USB is certainly easier.

The website doesn't say how to order or how to pay. Are you shipping directly from India?

[Ken_Shea]

Originally Posted by Donkey Hotey At $50, I'll take a chance. I've got cases of brand-new floppies but, USB is certainly easier. The website doesn't say how to order or how to pay. Are you shipping directly from India?

Greg,
In the same boat, cases of quality floppies, however, I think they may go bad just setting there, you experiencing numerous defective floppies?

I have suspected a bad floppy drive since the get go on the Haas, have had way too many trips back to the PC to re-load files onto another floppy.


Ken

[Donkey Hotey]

Ken,

Yeah, I've had the occasional bad floppy disk. It could actually be either end. I have a Sony brand external drive on the laptop that could just as much be to blame. How robust could a $25 mechanical computer accessory really be?

Greg

[Ken_Shea]

Well, a floppy drive replacement from Haas aint $25 bucks

You ever tried and aftermarket in them, or know if they are a IBM compatible unit?

They sure look identical.