new to shopbot. i have millions of questions.

[mike_breaker_5]

hopefully this is a pertinent section of the forum for a newbie thread. i am having a hard time finding my way around the forum sections.


anyhow...
most of my questions are pertaining to upgrades on an extremely old ShopBot. so old in fact that it is one of the original PR ShopBots.
it uses the following version of shopbot control software...
ShopBot Control Software Version 2.38 (sb238sx.exe; 1.2MB)

we have had this machine since it was brand new (1998-1999) and have only used it for minor DIY projects around our houses and such. since my brothers have both gotten jobs with one of the largest tooling companies we no longer mess with it. they were both 3d programmers and i a drafting/autocad guru, the needed skills to make standalone importable programs from cad/cam software are no longer available.

first thing i need to know is ...
how do i get this old machine up to date with modern operating systems (win7)? is it as simple as a new control tower?

next would be design/control software. . .
what is the most effective software for drawing, converting, and making an executable part all in one? i am looking into finally, after nearly 20 years of ownership, putting it to work on a more regular basis.

most all of the projects will be simple flat 2d designs. i don't plan on making anything super fancy. mostly i have made signs, those stand up deer things, railing slats for my porch and i even made a memorial bench for a co-worker that lost the fight to cancer last winter, it was donated to his sister.

anyhow...
i need help and there just aren't that many people familiar with ShopBots to talk to outside this forum it seems.

[genek]

contact shop bot. they can tell you exactly what you need to do..

[jerry_stanek]

Yes if you can get the 4g control box that would let you run the new software. I had an old PR that I upgraded and that made it a dream to run over the old DOS version. Also the speeds went up.

[Brady Watson]

Yes if you can get the 4g control box that would let you run the new software. I had an old PR that I upgraded and that made it a dream to run over the old DOS version. Also the speeds went up.

What he said. You can do either a 4G upgrade or new RBK upgrade and keep your original motors. Contact SB for pricing & availability.

Plus, while you have SB on the phone, have them give you a quote on upgrading to the current CAD/CAM software suite - V-Carve Pro ShopBot Edition & PartWorks3D.

If you need an SB Pro to come by and go over your machine (or upgrade it) and/or give you some training, send me a PM. I will be passing through your area mid-Nov.

-Brady

[donek]

While all these suggestions are great, I'm left wondering why. I have an old PR that's still in use today. I upgraded to a prt control box because the old PR box had a dead control board. It was in use steadily from 1999. You have a machine that works and probably works really well. Some upgrades may make it run a little faster, but won't really make it any easier to learn how to use. V-carve and just about any other CAM package will drive it just fine, with some minor tweaks to the standard post processor.

The only compelling reasons I see to upgrade is if you have an immediate need to move into production with a project and need more speed, or you are unable to find an old DOS or early windows machine to run it. If you're trying to get familiar with the machine and how things work, figure out what it can do and then decide if you need more.

You've asked to get it running on a win7 machine. You can do your design work on any machine and network or sneaker net any files needed to it.

I always take the keep it simple to begin with approach. There's no sense in spending money until you know what you're spending it on.

[mike_breaker_5]

While all these suggestions are great, I'm left wondering why. I have an old PR that's still in use today. I upgraded to a prt control box because the old PR box had a dead control board. It was in use steadily from 1999. You have a machine that works and probably works really well. Some upgrades may make it run a little faster, but won't really make it any easier to learn how to use. V-carve and just about any other CAM package will drive it just fine, with some minor tweaks to the standard post processor.

The only compelling reasons I see to upgrade is if you have an immediate need to move into production with a project and need more speed, or you are unable to find an old DOS or early windows machine to run it. If you're trying to get familiar with the machine and how things work, figure out what it can do and then decide if you need more.

You've asked to get it running on a win7 machine. You can do your design work on any machine and network or sneaker net any files needed to it.

I always take the keep it simple to begin with approach. There's no sense in spending money until you know what you're spending it on.

it has been a while since i have been back to the forum, i actually didn't expect to get such great replies. not to mention an offer to stop and take a look at my dinosaur.

the main reason i want to run a modern OS is simply due to the fact that i have found it difficult to find machines that have the old serial port. if i am able to run win7 then i have 4 different machines that i could rely on as backups rather than scramble to find another older platform to use. i had just this happen. i was elbows deep in a project and the day i was to cut it out to present as a donation my pc was unresponsive. i absolutely do not need this problem when i start making parts full time on the machine. also the increased speed and design suite is another reason for the upgrade.

you are absolutely correct though. the shopbot is running like a top. i just need the user interface to be a little more well... user friendly. i plan to have my wife start running parts while i am at work. she is not the most tech friendly person out there. as close to point and click that i can make the process the better.

thanks so much for the replies. i will be getting shopbot on the phone in the near future. first thing i need to do is get the old machine cleaned up and accessible for work to start this spring.

[rb99]

If you can get a 4G controller it is well worth it, along with a newer Z.

That is what I did.

The 4g controller makes the resolution go from around 300 steps per revolution to something like 2000 or 3000 steps per revolution. Also the older machines are underpowered. So that goes from 24V to 60 or 70? Not sure now but the machine is now much more focused, smooth and fast.

The other problem I had was the Z would not start and stop at the same places all the time, so for backgrounds, tabs, and other things the depth would change making it very problematic. I bought a retro Z and I have not installed it yet but it is supposed to fix those problems.

[myxpykalix]

You may want to keep your eyes open in this catagory. or even put a post in there asking for used parts that someone may have

For Sale/Wanted - ShopBot-related items only

[mike_breaker_5]

If you can get a 4G controller it is well worth it, along with a newer Z.

That is what I did.

The 4g controller makes the resolution go from around 300 steps per revolution to something like 2000 or 3000 steps per revolution. Also the older machines are underpowered. So that goes from 24V to 60 or 70? Not sure now but the machine is now much more focused, smooth and fast.

The other problem I had was the Z would not start and stop at the same places all the time, so for backgrounds, tabs, and other things the depth would change making it very problematic. I bought a retro Z and I have not installed it yet but it is supposed to fix those problems.

really, for all that i want to do the resolution of the machine is really a non issue for me. the items that are planned to be "production" items are extremely simple shapes. the main reason for an upgrade is simply so i can use a more modern OS along with a one stop shop as far as design and control for the SB goes.

i think i will have to wait until i have my tax return in hand so i know what my budget will be for the upgrade. at the least, i would imagine, i will need a new control tower and design software.

anyone have a ballpark estimate of what such an upgrade will cost? my estimate is around $1200-1500 depending on the software i choose.

this is all on the assumption that i can reuse my old stepper motors and control box on a new tower.

[mike_breaker_5]

after re-reading your post, i am thinking i may have misunderstood what a "4G" controller is. is that the computer tower part or the little black box part.

i am sorry but like i said. i know just enough to be dangerous with this thing. i really need to learn a whole lot more before i would even consider myself an armature.

again...
thanks to all who have been patient and helping me with my newb questions.

[steve_g]

http://www.shopbottools.com/ShopBotDocs/files/Control%20box%20upgrade%20to%20V4G%202007%2012%201 0.pdf (http://www.shopbottools.com/ShopBotDocs/files/Control%20box%20upgrade%20to%20V4G%202007%2012%201 0.pdf)

SG

[mike_breaker_5]

is this upgrade compatible with the original PR shopbots? it says it's an upgrade for PRT systems.

i suppose i should pick up the phone and start the ball rolling on getting a bill of materials in order.