Heidenhain ME 101 Tape reader or alternative program storage.

[irving2008]

A quick Google shows that the me102 tape unit is a cassette drive and interfaces with the controller using 2400baud RS232 serial comms and the command interface appears to have a file structure so I'd guess you can get several programs on a tape. Tbh unless you have the tape unit already the cost of acquiring one and getting it to work could be more than a mach3 conversion.

There is a doc available from Heidenhain giving the block protocol so it would be possible to store programs on a PC if you have the knowledge to write the necessary software. Again a quick Google suggests this has been done before, but nothing recent within 10y.

[corkcnc]

Thanks for the tips folks. I've gone through the manuals but get the impression that the tape will only hold one program. Also from the manuals on Heidenhain data interfaces, the ME is the only thing it will talk to. The 145 doesn't have the capabilities to talk to a floppy or external drip feed. I was hoping that someone on the site might use one and be able to give me a bit of feed back or have gotten around it as Irving has suggested.
Luckily one of the lads here has gotten in touch and has one so fingers crossed it will work out.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Rgds,
Noel.
Edit. Looks like the RemoteNT from Heidenhain will mimic the ME101. Not drip feeding but as a direct sub for downloading single programs. Thanks again.