CNC networking probability?

[Botch]

Hello all, I have to tell you, I am not a machinist. I am a techie who got pulled into sorting this for a friend's business.... somehow. I have been reading through the forum for a couple days looking for an answer to 'Can I network all these machines together?'. My eyes are burning and I wasn't able to find the answer, if it is here please point me to it, if not please read my quandry and help if you can. If you need specific info it will take a days for me to get it...

Here's what we have:

Daewoo PUMA 200 RS232 PORT
SUPERMAX1 RS232 PORT
MORI SEIKI SL-25 RS232 PORT

PUMA 240 RS232/ Ethernet
PUMA 240L RS232/ Ethernet
TV188B RS232/ Ethernet
DMG RS232/ Ethernet

The RS232 Ports, I believe, are all 25 pin connections. The machines are all within a hundred feet of eachother and there is one pc connected to a cable that is taken to each machine when the job is sent to it. Is there an adapter to change the RS232 to an RJ45 connection? something like this:
http://www.cables4computer.com/newpr...roupcode=I0089

The machinists are sick of running back and forth and the possibility of expanding the shop is very real and possibly soon. Wireless is likely option but all the adapters I have seen on www.rym.com are 9-pin.


If you are able to give me an answer or point me in the right direction..
Thank you very much! If not.. thanks for reading to this point...

[HuFlungDung]

I have a wireless Nport device from www.moxa.com, and I'm quite happy with it.

Basically, it will work over wireless ethernet to those machines still using RS232 ports. Or, the device also has an RJ45 jack in it (for setup purposes) but I suppose it will work with a wire, too...but why would you?

The machines themselves will not know that the signal is being served by ethernet because the Nport functions as a serial server. However, with that limitation in mind, of course you cannot 'browse the LAN' from the older machines.

The newer controls having built in ethernet likely are capable of browsing the network, to grab or send files.

[Botch]

Thank you very much for your advice! I have contacted Moxa about a quote for some wireless units. Another question for you if you don't mind...

-Are you using a regular retail wireless b/g router with your unit?
-5 of the 7 machines have a power point on them to plug in the adapter (right next to the RS232 connector); do you think it is possible to upgrade the 2 that don't?

Thanks again for your help!

[bean79au]

You can try DATAHUNTER, they have wireless RS232 servers. Maybe look at powering all of the devices from 24v DC directly from the machine, this is what we have done to all of our machines instead of using a bulky AC adaptor.

Beau

[gm3211]

There are several wireless units on the market....Digi, Moxa, Quatech, Data Hunter, Lantronics, Sena, B & B Electronics and more. They are are not equal for reliabilty. If you plan to use a PC to send from and have files transfer periodically, them most all will work.

You may have experienced the home wireless routers where sometime you have to unplug the unit from the power to get it to work again. Welcome to low end connectivity devices... If the unit is less than $300, expect to receive less performance.

We recommend the Digi or Moxa units.