Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: andyk01 on May 19, 2010, 11:37:51 PM

Title: Three LPT Ports
Post by: andyk01 on May 19, 2010, 11:37:51 PM

Hi,   Just a quick question (I Hope).

I have built a CNC Plasma table (My first) controlled by Mach 3 and need to connect three different parallel devices...   

Machine Control,  LPT1 (4 Axis and the usual e-Stop, & Home switches)
Torch Height Controller, LPT2 ( Bob Campbell THC 300)
MPG, LPT3   (4 Axis )  As the machine is 15' * 8',  jog from the keyboard is not practical when setting up large jobs.   

Can this be done?? 

Thanks,

Andy K

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: HimyKabibble on May 20, 2010, 12:08:30 AM

No.  Mach3 supports only two PPs.

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: manmeran on May 20, 2010, 05:13:47 AM

you must use modbus for Handheld Pendant

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: JHChoppers on May 20, 2010, 12:11:36 PM

I wish it did too....  My VMC Project could use it.

JH

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: manmeran on May 20, 2010, 12:25:42 PM

i build modbus pendant with AVR for mach3, up to 32 key.
programmable with brain

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: Jeff_Birt on May 20, 2010, 03:33:12 PM

There are many different types of pendants that do not require Modbus at all, take a look at the one Bob Cambell carries as well as the one from Polabs...

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: andyk01 on May 20, 2010, 09:31:26 PM

OK.   So a third LPT port is not an option...

This leaves me with either Modbus or a keyboard emulation device such as Pokeys55.    For me, I think the Pokeys55 will be quick, simple and cheap to use with my TTL pendant from Keling inc..   So the question I have before getting out the credit card is "will pokeys coexist with a keyboard"?  Mach3 being a windows app, it's difficult to drive long term without a standard keyboard.

Thanks, Andy K

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: Hood on May 21, 2010, 02:22:57 AM

The PoKeys is not just a keyboard emulator, it can also be used as true digital inputs. If used as an emulator then yes it will coexist with a keyboard but much better in my opinion to use it as digital I/O.

Hood

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: BluePinnacle on May 24, 2010, 08:39:23 AM

how about a wireless keyboard?

Title: Re: Three LPT Ports
Post by: manmeran on May 24, 2010, 08:57:35 AM

I am working on it