Machsupport Forum

Third party software and hardware support forums. => SmoothStepper USB => Topic started by: boblon on June 16, 2011, 10:17:59 AM

Title: Considering a SS to get PC out of garage
Post by: boblon on June 16, 2011, 10:17:59 AM

I am planning for a major upgrade to my current machine and am considering build out options while waiting for parts.

I currently use Mach3 with 2 parallel ports connected to a PC that lives in the garage with my router. I live in Florida and besides the temps getting a little warm there is also the issue of the PC sucking in all kinds of debrs (I realize I could filter the intakes to the PC).

I have already ordered a SuperPID for the rebuild but do not plan on feeding the tach back to the PC at this time.
I do plan on adding a 4th axis (rotation on the X or Y axis).

It would be nice to move the PC into the laundry room off of the garage and extend the video cable to a monitor in the garage and I was thinking of using one of the USB extenders to remote the keyboard, mouse, XBox controller RF reciever and the cable to the SS via a USB hub attached to the USB extender. Is that at all a viable option? Has anyone done something like this? Is there a better way to move the PC than this?

Thanks for any and all suggestions/input.

BobL.

Title: Re: Considering a SS to get PC out of garage
Post by: Jeff_Birt on June 17, 2011, 10:15:09 AM

I would NOT recommend trying to extend all those cables, or using one of those KVM extenders. You would be far better off buying a small PC that has no fan. I picked up a small touch screen Shuttle for Newegg a few months ago for about $300. It runs Mach with the SmoothStepper just great.

Title: Re: Considering a SS to get PC out of garage
Post by: boblon on June 19, 2011, 09:52:56 AM

Thanks Jeff.

Best to be safe.

Bob