Parallel issues

[CrazeUK]

Hey guys.

So i am new to CNC's.

I recently purchased a 1000mm x 1000mm machine used.

Its main uses will be making things as a hobby, and i haven't quite worked out where to house it, or keep it stood up (is that bad for the machine?).

It is belt driven and uses a Kess 1050 FME-1 router.

Aside from noticing there are parts missing (Nut and collet, and Power cable for the Kress) after i collected it (Things i didnt think to look out for). The machine is not bad, well i THINK.

So i have an issue from the outset.
The control board is a CNC4X45A which has a parallel interface, given i use Windows 10 64 bit on my only laptop.

I dont really want a whole desktop, with associated peripherals living in my flat, or any where really because of the lack of space.

Ideally i would like to be able to use my laptop for designing and cutting.

I have heard there is an issue with "love data" on usb connections hence parallel is always better.

So i understand there are numerous options:
1. Chinese USB CNC controllers
2. U100 (Some form of converter dongle).
3. Parallel to USB Converter
4. USBCNC controller (recommended by robocutters).

Any ideas?
If worse does come to worse i will purchase a desktop then in some way mount it underneath the CNC, or above it even.


Thanks in advance

[terry1956]

Hi.you can't use Windows 10 64bit with a parallel cable. You will need to use an Ethernet board. Windows 10 turns off the parallel cable so makes it useless for Inc.you are better using a old Windows 7 desktop.believe me I wasted weeks trying to get the breakout board to work with my new Windows 10 pc. Using a old 40 pound Windows 7 machine it all worked within the hour

[Ger21]

#2 is your best option, and if you don't already have a Mach3 license, use UCCNC software, which is better, and much cheaper.

ANd it's not a converter, but a motion controller.
Converters do not work.

[paulus.v]

I would buy a desktop PC to be used exclusive for the CNC control software. There are nice cheap minitower PC like Dell Optiplex. You have to make sure the PC is old enough to have the parallel port on board.

[JAZZCNC]

I would buy a desktop PC to be used exclusive for the CNC control software. There are nice cheap minitower PC like Dell Optiplex. You have to make sure the PC is old enough to have the parallel port on board.

Paulus is correct about using dedicated PC but forget the Parallel port it's a Dinosaur in distress which needs bullet. Buy UC100 it's the cheapist and easist way to get away from PP.

If you wan't something better then Go for Ethernet based.

[CrazeUK]

So i am eager to get this machine going. So found a cheap desktop with monitor for £25 with 4gb of ram and a rghz processor lol.

I will use this while i get this machine set up and look at the UC100 or a ethernet based one. Do you have any recommendations?.

So mach3 is set up (a friend of mine had a spare licence from one of his projects).

But i cant seem to get the machine to work :S