Floppy drive hack?

[John Welden]

Does anyone know of something I could replace the floppy drive with so I'd have more memory potential. Optimally, I'd like to use a USB stick and then DNC off of that.

I know I can DNC from another computer and trickle feed, but I'd rather not have to do that.

We have a VF zero and VF2 that are around 7 years old.

Why do CNC machines have to be such a pain in the ass when it comes to memory. They should all come with a gazillion gigs of memory. My frickin phone has 32 gigs. Come on now.

Thanks

[HuFlungDung]

http://www.plrelectronics.com/floppy_to_usb.php

[John Welden]

Looks perfect, thanks Hu!

Boss is ordering one today.

JW

[SBC Cycle]

Nice link HFD. I'ma try one in my Fadal. Many thanks.

[HuFlungDung]

John,
Let us know how it works for you. I've wondered how the Haas would handle files that are bigger than should logically fit on a floppy drive, and whether you'd have to break them down or not.

[HelicopterJohn]

Yes, that would be really nice if it would work with the older HAAS equipment with the 3.5 floppy drives.

I would also be interested in feedback from anyone that tries it on HAAS equipment.

I have recently looked at some older HAAS CNC lathes with the 3.5 floppy drives. I like the USB port on my 2007 HAAS TM-1P and this upgrade path would be nice if it works.

John

[Superman]

Here's another one calmotion

We investigated for an Okuma machine, but found it was not suitable ( still had to purchace the DNC option for the machine )

[John Welden]

Originally Posted by HuFlungDung http://www.plrelectronics.com/floppy_to_usb.php

Got it installed today and to my surprise, it worked perfectly without ANY messing around. I loaded a program just like I would off a floppy, no problem. I also DNC'ed and it worked just like it should. I didn't get a chance to try DNC-ing a large file yet. I think it will work since the control works it's way through the code while only buffering a small portion. Just like using RS232

Thanks Hu!

(Instruction on how to DNC from the floppy are in the manual.)

[HuFlungDung]

Its good to know it worked out okay.

[xiondavis]

When i read the instructions for that unit, it specifically said you cannot exceed 1.44mb for a folder to emulate as a floppy. If you can actually DNC from a larger than 1.44mb file, please post a reply! thanks!

[John Welden]

Originally Posted by xiondavis When i read the instructions for that unit, it specifically said you cannot exceed 1.44mb for a folder to emulate as a floppy. If you can actually DNC from a larger than 1.44mb file, please post a reply! thanks!

I remember reading that too and it must be why I can't DNC the 4 meg file I just tested.

Still better than using retarded floppies. Way faster.

JW

[HuFlungDung]

I've had zero experience with doing the DNC on the Haas so I don't know what is legal and what isn't. But could you write sub program calls in a main program on the control and somehow have it jump to various folders on the floppy, supposing that each folder has 1.44 megs worth of a much larger program that you split up?