Originally Posted by
bradywatson
I think the majority of people that have communication problems, don't have computer hardware that is suited for running a robotic tool. Computers are cheap for the most part, and a quality computer (not one you bought at a chain store on sale) is not much more coin than a cheap one. Brand names mean next to nothing...so don't be fooled thinking you've got all the bases covered because you think Dell or XYZ computer brand is the end all be all. It isn't.
You (everyone) need to understand that a ShopBot is a robotic tool. Not a printer...not a webcam, but a sophisticated machine that requires certain things in order to function properly. As the saying goes, there is no free lunch...so along those lines, a $150,000 CNC most likely has it's own internal/proprietary computer that just runs machine code and NOTHING ELSE - which means, you'd need a separate computer to tweak something in 'PartWorks' et al. The computer attached to the ShopBot's ENTIRE FUNCTION is to control the ShopBot. Not surf the web, not check email, and NOT do CAD/CAM, although most of the time this is not a problem if you are running software that doesn't require a dongle.
In case some of you need it spelled out - You got into the CNC game 'on the cheap' by investing in a ShopBot. It does everything a larger tool will, provided you give it what it needs. You saved a ton of cash on shipping (no riggers required), on the electronics (you use your own computer), and you bit the bullet thinking, "You know what...I can make this work!" But many cheesed out...used inferior computers, bootleg operating systems and made hasty decisions that have only bitten you in the butt down the road...and the fact of the matter is that the ShopBot system is not to blame...You are. It is VERY rare for the SB control system and software to be at fault in regards to communication. There is usually something else that is causing the problem, like a USB cable over 12' long, shoddy machine grounding or inferior computer hardware - ALL of which are YOUR responsibility...Not ShopBot's.
I see all these posts about communication woes & I get the feeling that many believe that this is somehow a 'ShopBot' problem. It isn't. 99% of the time, it is because the correct computer hardware was not implemented or other problem on the user's end. I've seen my fair share of 'bright ideas' in my travels.
If you want to get your communication beefed up for CNC duty, here's what I'd do:
Windows XP Professional or Win7 Professional OS (yes...you pay for a real license)
PCI to USB Expansion card
USB self-powered 2.0 hub (throw the IOGear one in the trash)
12' or less USB cable plugged between control box and hub
Plug hub into PCI/USB port
Keep ALL nonsense programs off the computer. PartWorks & SB3 ONLY - No Inkscape, games or other Freeware junk or warez.
If USB cable is not long enough to get to computer, relocate computer closer to control box & extend monitor, keyboard & mouse.
-B