RS232 to multiple machines

[Strange179]

Hello all,
I'm wondering what solutions people are using to connect one or two stationary PC's in a programming office to multiple machines on the shop floor. I have two shops I'm working with and both use such a scenario. They have one or two PC's and they need to connect them to multiple (8+) machines. Currently one shop is set up using two 4-port switch boxes with one cascaded into the other. This gives one input and a total of seven machine outputs. The other shop is using a plug and jack system with two PC's and several machines. They use RJ-12 plugs and wall jacks like an old time phone operator would do.

I'm just wondering what other solutions are you there and what the estimated cost would be.

Thanks in advance,
Justin

[PinMan]

What we have here is a 2 pc setup to a total of 18 machines using a few of these. RocketPort USB 8port RS232 serial hub III, w/DB9M ports

They work great

[gar]

080307-2030 EST USA

Strange179:

We sell an Ethernet to RS232, our E232, that can provide 115.2 kbaud capability, at a radial distance of 100 M (328 ft) with electrical isolation. With this system from any computer connected to the network and with acces to the IP address of the destination you can send to any destination. So computer A can send to machine 101 while computer B is sending to 103 and computer C is sending to 120. Or at a different time computer A could be sending to 120. All this without any mechanical switches.


PinMan:

Your arrangement is probably going to limit you to low baud rates if cables are long. For example 9600 baud at 50 to 100 ft.

We have another product that provides long cable length, 4000 ft, at 115.2 kbaud, and has isolation. This is our I232 System.

See our web site www.beta-a2.com .

.

[PinMan]

gar,
Thanks for the idea, we do suffer a little bit for the machines that are on the other side of the shop. Ill send it up the food chain and see if the people that get paid more than me like it haha.

[bodbson]

check out B & B www.bb-elec.com Ii just put in one of their wireless rs232 over eathernet connected to an old Monarch 16 works great I no they have wired versions also