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Your CNC works via USB because, like you said, the microcontroller in the CNC does the motor control. What I was referring to is that in the old days, PCs woul
by ChuckNorris89 5y ago
Your CNC works via USB because, like you said, the microcontroller in the CNC does the motor control.
What I was referring to is that in the old days, PCs would control the CNC cutting head directly via paralel port, there was no microcontroller in the middle. These setups do not work wit a USB converters.
- dekhn 5y agoI keep hearing about these beasts, but I am really struggling to see that after all these years it makes more sense to use a 20-30 year old CNC instead of spending the capital to buy a new one. To me the cost tradeoff seems pretty clear, even up to replacing a $20K device.
- mikewarot 5y agoIf your are in a job shop, and have 50 jobs set up on the machine that each only happen a few times every year or two, replacing the controller means months to years of hell as some little tweak is going to be needed for each of those jobs as they happen. Quite often, CNC machining is not the first step in making a part. Thus scrapping a part is a very expensive, and could lose a client if it happens more than once after you "update" a machine. There are very rational, very strong incentives to be conservative with computers used in industry.
- ChuckNorris89 5y agoCNC machines are not smartphones, they don't go obsolete very quickly. If you keep them well maintained and calibrated they'll do the job for multiple decades. Makes sense to keep the running for as long as possible as they're never scrapped but sold on to cash strapped shops.
- detaro 5y ago$20k is not that much when it comes to CNC machines. And why would you replace a perfectly good machine just because it's 30 years old?
- dekhn 5y agoBecause the software is obsolete.
- detaro 5y agowhat's the problem with that, as long as it works and can be kept working without too much expense? Do you get rid of a car as soon as they stop updating the software in it?
- ChuckNorris89 5y agoSoftware is not the selling point of those devices. As long as it works and everyone in the shop knows how to use it well, then it's fine. I'm pretty sure they haven't updated the software on the elevator in my building in over 20 years but I'm fine with that.