Does Mach 3 run ok on laptops?

[Lee Roberts]

lmao !

[I need a dog]

Many thanks for that info, had a look in my garage today and have decided that a desk top will fit nicely on the side of my bench that I plan to use for the milling machine. Also had a good look on e bay and I reckon I can get a desktop, screen, keyboard etc for less than £70. Lots of refurbished dells about with windows XP. An added advantage of desktops is that you will have serial and parallel ports built in. Not only does the desk top method mean I have to spend less of the hard earned cash, but I believe there is less potential for problems (according to my research so far, correct me if I'm wrong)

This leads me onto another couple of questions which I need this forums members expertise to answer.

First of all, let me tell you my plan....
I'm probaly going to get a AMA25lV milling machine.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260474866633&ssPageNam e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Probably get ball screws, and NEMA 23 stepper motors from Zapp. Is this a good choice? Probably make motor mounts etc myself.

I am looking at 2 options for control boxes
either the XBOX3 from Zapp which appears to runs via a paralell port.
http://www.slidesandballscrews.com/s...42d59b92703b60

or the CNC1 from CDE which runs on serial port
http://www.eaziform.co.uk/index.php?products,cnc1

Will want to use Mach 3 as there is so much online support and turtorials for this program.
Am thinking about the vetric software for basic cad and cam.

Will be wanting to use mill for light machining but am very interested in engraving and sign writing, even photo engraving, obviously on a small scale as dictated by machine size. Hence my interest in Vetric software which covers all these possibilities.

Please advise me of any flaws in my plan and I appreciate any comments.

P.S
Does Mach 3 prefer to run from serial or parellel port?

Plan B is for world domination, I'm getting a white cat for christmas.

[ptjw7uk]

Only commenst I have is that the CDE cnc1 is not designed to run from mach3 as it has its own program easycnc.
The zapp box has higher current handling of 4.2 amp over the CDE's 3.5 although the CDE drivers are actually listed as 4 amp in the manual.
I have the CDE cnc2 box and I am so far pleased with it although easycnc is a bit of a struggle to get to grips with.
I think you will find the whole process has a steep learning curve but ther again it is supposed to be a hobby!!!!

Peter

[Tom]

Continuing the theme of portability, there was a thread on the EMC users forum recently asking for opinions on laptop use with EMC2. He wanted to be able to use EMC2 to control a servo in a car. Laptops are a no-go for realtime reasons (apparently), but the poster was pointed to this website of mini PCs and enclosures.

They look really nice (esp the alu extrusion enclosure designed for vehicle use)...
http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.87/.f

Thread archive (I have no idea if this link will work)...
http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux....emc.user/18051