Hello! Newb to the forums here, as well as to the world of Chinese lasers!
I just purchased a mysterious older Chinese Laser that is at least 6+ years old. The owner I bought it from upgraded various aspects of the machine after getting it at an auction from another business.
Now that it's in my possession I am trying to dig a bit deeper at what parts make up the machine to perhaps lend me more of an understanding about what I may or may not be able to upgrade.
Currently I'm trying to figure out if I can upgrade the software for the mystery DSP I have - basically I want to know what my options are for software I may be able to have communicate directly with my machine (NOTE: I'm not opposed to upgrading the DSP if it makes my machine more current as well).
The DSP controller interface I have appears to be similar to this model I found:
Regardless, the computer that came with the laser uses a version of PHCad to send jobs to my machine.
My questions:
1. I'm currently wondering if there's any particular hardware markings or something elsewhere on my mystery machine that may indicate the most current version of PHCad I will be able to upgrade to to use with my laser cutter?
It is an old machine and it currently is set up with PHCad ver 4.47 on a Gateway computer loaded with Windows XP at the present (It seems PHCad is now called
Lasersoft)
2. Would I be able to us any other software besides PHCad? LaserCAD seemed to be paired with a similar looking interface so I was curious if there are ANY other options (although I know there is other hardware within the machine that may be determining such interchangeability). I'm not opposed to upgrading aspects of my machine to bring the interface /software into the present day.
Either way, thank you for your time considering my inquiry!
Best,
Jeff