Using mach3 on a notebook

[eagle550]

Hi all,

I am using mach3 now, but I am wondering if it is possible if you can use mach 3 on a notebook and then a notebook without a parallel port. I readed in the mach3 manual that it was not possible to use mach3 with a USB - Parallel cable. But I found some other hardware what is not using the USB port but the PCMCIA card slot of the note book. I am wondering if some have any experience with something like this. Here is the link of the product I am talking about.

http://www.transdigital.net/info.htm

Greets,

Eagle550

[NC Cams]

Mach needs LPT port.

You can try USB to LPT coverter but this has not always been successful depending on the machine/components integrated. Don't know about PCMCIA

More info deep into one of these threads about the use of Mach with laptop/notebook computers:

FINALLY started BIG_CNC_LATHE conversion

NC Controller difference

Interest in Lathe retrofit

[ger21]

Some have had luck with a PCMCIA card, others have not. It varies from laptop to laptop. The only way to know for sure is to try it.

If you have a laptop with a parallel port, it may work. But, again, the only way to know for sure if Mach3 will work, on any PC, is to try it.

[eagle550]

I have Mach 3 working with my notebook and the Transdigital pcmcia card.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by eagle550 I have Mach 3 working with my notebook and the Transdigital pcmcia card.

Do you mean you are running a machine with this set up? Does this card put out 5vdc?

Mike

[eagle550]

Yep it is controling my cnc machine good and I just run some g-code program and it running al just fine. About the 5vdc that depends on your notebook I heared that some notebook don't give 5vdc to there pcmcia port but when the notebook is giving 5vdc to there pcmcia port the card will also give the 5vdc to the card, but on the website of trans digital is some more info about it.

http://www.transdigital.net/info.htm

Arthur

[impact]

I tried running mach3 on my laptop with parallel port, didn't work to well. There was too much interference.

[johnatl@mac.com]

Originally Posted by impact I tried running mach3 on my laptop with parallel port, didn't work to well. There was too much interference.

It was probably the laptop cpu speeding up and slowing down to save the battery and/or keep it from heating up.

I'm still looking for a solution.

[ljrc19]

Originally Posted by eagle550 I have Mach 3 working with my notebook and the Transdigital pcmcia card.

First of all sorry for may english, eagle550 a really want to know how did you do to make work the transdigital pcmcia card with mach3, did you make somethink special to make it work?, what kind of notebook do you have? i have an Acer Aspire 9510 serie, and the transdigita card doesn't work for me, please tell me, i need help with this.....

thanks....

[ljrc19]

Well I did it!!, I'm working mach3 with my notebook using the transdigital pcmcia paralel port card, I change manualy the port address of the card in control panel from 0378 - 037A to 03BC - 03BE, and i put those address in the ports and pins configuration on macth3 and begins to work perfectly, I hope this information help another one!........

[eagle550]

Yes the problem you describe I also had when I first plug it in. But after you changed the ports it is works nice Good explanation!

[kbillan]

Mach3 is running, apparently fine on my P3 700MZ notebook.

I stripped the notebook of all other programs (except cad) and i turned off EVERYTHING.. including screen saver.

Seems to run the program just fine. Loads fast.. cuts parts...


Keith