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Thread: Mach3 on a netbook...

  1. #1
    Registered LongRat's Avatar
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    Mach3 on a netbook...

    I'd like to run my large 'outdoor' mill on a netbook, as I would like to avoid leaving the PC with the mill. The Acer Aspire One series of netbooks have caught my eye.
    Before I go ahead and get one, does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) trying this. How well does Mach3 run on these machines? I will have to use a SmoothStepper as there won't be a parallel port of course. I also have doubts about interfacing a pendant with this netbook/smoothstepper set up. I won't have a serial port either. Really like the look of the Homann pendants but do they require a serial connection?

    Thanks!


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    Community Moderator ger21's Avatar
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    You can always make your own pendant and connect it to the Smoothstepper.

    I know people run Mach3 on Atom desktop PC's with Smoothsteppers, so it should run OK on the Netbook. The Smoothstepper takes most of the load off the PC.
    Gerry

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/2010.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


  3. #3
    Registered LongRat's Avatar
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    That was what I was assuming and hoping.
    I guess any pendant that uses Modbus would not work? I don't have a problem making my own, but I would be interested in any SmoothStepper-compatible pendants out there that may be available.


  4. #4
    Community Moderator ger21's Avatar
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    Any pendant that plugs into a parallel port should work with the Smoothstepper.

    Here's a USB pendant, but not cheap.
    http://campbelldesigns.net/CNC%20min...dant%20MP1.php
    Gerry

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/2010.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Registered LongRat's Avatar
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    Yes, that's costly.
    What about using a converter cable for USB to serial, such as this one on the CNC4PC site: http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/prod...1fb0c8a4b3ef52

    That says it is suitable for connecting a Modbus server. Maybe a Modbus based pendant would work with it? Or I could just get one of his LPT port pendants and plug that into the SS.


  • #6
    Community Moderator ger21's Avatar
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    I don't really know anything about how Modbus works.
    Gerry

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/2010.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Quote Originally Posted by LongRat View Post
    Yes, that's costly.
    What about using a converter cable for USB to serial, such as this one on the CNC4PC site: http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/prod...1fb0c8a4b3ef52

    That says it is suitable for connecting a Modbus server. Maybe a Modbus based pendant would work with it? Or I could just get one of his LPT port pendants and plug that into the SS.
    It should work with the usb to serial converter.
    Warning: DIY CNC may cause extreme hair loss due to you pulling your hair out.


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    Good info, thanks TRC.


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