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Certified Pre-Owned
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nanny State
Posts: 3,132
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Kind of an out there hardware IT question related to an old PC
Guys
I have a CNC milling machine which is powered by proprietary software running on an old OS called "Caldera Dr. DOS". The machine and control were built in about 1999. It is easy to use and serves the purpose. The PC that powers the drive system in the CNC is an old Pentium 1 I think, 233 MHz, but does the job just fine. The challenge I have is that when I post NC code from my laptop CAM software and need to transfer it to the machine, I am stuck with 1.44 MB floppy drives to do it. So I have this portable 1.44 floppy drive that plugs into a USB port on my laptop, save the file, pop the disk out and stick it in the floppy drive on the CNC and read it in. I've run into problems lately with these portable USB floppy drives, there's about 2 options out there and they are about $10 outta China and don't last. I'd like to be able to use a USB jump drive, but changing out the whole PC in the CNC control to upgrade isn't an option. The manufacturer wants to sell me a whole new control system at a cost of about $17k to gain the USB ability. Is there a USB reader that would act as a floppy drive emulator that can be swapped in/plugged in somehow in place of the 1.44 drive on the CNC's PC control? I'm thinking not, but thought I would ask. It would be so much easier to transfer info on a jump drive and get free of the mechanical floppy disks. Advice?
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'84 Carrera Coupe Last edited by BGCarrera32; 02-13-2016 at 08:50 AM.. |
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02-13-2016, 08:40 AM
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Certified Pre-Owned
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nanny State
Posts: 3,132
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'84 Carrera Coupe |
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02-13-2016, 08:49 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 920
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I work with CNC machines and Caladera DOS. The Caladera DOS does not support anytype of flash drive or anything. They way I got around using floppy drives is through the 9 pin com port. YOu can use a usb to com port converter on the lapotp and send the files to the com port on the CNC machine. I have six if them I service at work.
Last edited by Rednine11; 02-13-2016 at 09:03 AM.. |
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02-13-2016, 08:58 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 920
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Wal Mart has the adapter for 10 bucks.
Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial (9-pin) DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable and 6' Cable (FTDI Chipset) - Walmart.com |
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02-13-2016, 08:59 AM
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Registered
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02-13-2016, 09:00 AM
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Registered
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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02-13-2016, 09:11 AM
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Certified Pre-Owned
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nanny State
Posts: 3,132
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Oooh..that pleases me greatly Scott. I will read up on that, thank you for the link.
Also appreciate the tips Rednine11...you might have a new friend here when I get in a jam ;>)
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'84 Carrera Coupe |
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02-13-2016, 09:31 AM
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My former car
