Sharing one Comp for Mill and Turn?

[DennisCNC]

Hi,

Has any one here shared the same computer and control box (I mean drives and all) to control a Mill and Lathe? I have a cnc'd Bport and next to it is a lathe so instead of building another computer and control box I want to share it. Any thoughts if there could be problems software wise?

Thanks

[ger21]

When you install Mach3, it gives you icons all set up for mill and lathe. Each has it's own settings, so just set up each one, and run the appropriate one for the machine. You can set up as many machines on one PC as you want, just create a new profile for each.

[kdoney]

I switch to several machines (lathe, mill, router, sander, painter) with one controller.

[vmax549]

Dennis the EASIEST way that I have found is to setup (2) 2 port LPT cards.( I use 2 ports for each machine) 1 going to each machine hookup. In mach set up each machine for the ports and pins 1 setup in mill for the mill and 1 setup in turn for the lathe. Now when you load mill or turn it is ready to go. you do not have to move,reset,retune anything. Works well for me. (:~)= Terry

[ger21]

Great tip Terry. Would have never thought of that.

[DennisCNC]

Thanks for the info!! Time to start putting things together!

[Jay Kyle]

Can you run the mill and lathe simultanously with the one computer?

[vmax549]

Hum??? I don't think so, BUT it might be possible if you were to open two sessions of mach at the same time. The problem with that is Timing issues. Two sessions of mach running at the same time might start a wild CAT FIGHT over timing issues and crash mach and your parts/machines and YOU. If you try it do so with great CAUTION. Terry

[Jay Kyle]

Well, given the low cost of computers these days, it sounds like the simplest and safest option is to have 2 separate trimmed down computers (small footprint) just for these applications.

[ger21]

Hum??? I don't think so, BUT it might be possible if you were to open two sessions of mach at the same time. The problem with that is Timing issues. Two sessions of mach running at the same time might start a wild CAT FIGHT over timing issues and crash mach and your parts/machines and YOU. If you try it do so with great CAUTION. Terry

You can't run 2 instances of Mach at the same time.