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Author Topic: Three LPT Ports  (Read 5969 times)

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Three LPT Ports
« 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
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2010, 12:08:30 AM »
No.  Mach3 supports only two PPs.
Regards,
Ray L.
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2010, 05:13:47 AM »
you must use modbus for Handheld Pendant
**Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day**
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2010, 12:11:36 PM »
I wish it did too....  My VMC Project could use it.

JH
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2010, 12:25:42 PM »
i build modbus pendant with AVR for mach3, up to 32 key.
programmable with brain
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Offline Jeff_Birt

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Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #5 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...
Happy machining , Jeff Birt
 
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #6 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

Offline Hood

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Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #7 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
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2010, 08:39:23 AM »
how about a wireless keyboard?
Re: Three LPT Ports
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2010, 08:57:35 AM »
I am working on it
**Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day**