Hello,
I have an old AXYZ 4008 CNC router with the old AMC controller (not the A2MC, expenssive upgrade, can't do it). I have the disk to install toolpath on a pc and have done that, but I've been reading that people install the AXYZ DNC and the NC files go directly from Vectric software to the DNC and right to the CNC. That all sounds great.
My problems lie in the area of "what do I need in order to move forward?"
A list of my components and things I do have:
AXYZ 4008 CNC router (2003)
AMC Controller
AXYZ Toolpath software disk (installed toolpath and DNC)
RS-232 to RS-485 optically isolate converter (serial port)
Vectric Aspire 11.5 (latest version)
Things I do not have:
Laptop with a serial port and and CD drive (can purchase, not a problem if need to get one, the usb adapter I have for serial port does not work)
AXYZ - 23117 USB to RS485 Converter Box (recommended by an AXYZ technician, don't see why I need it) (also expensive, would be cheaper to jsut get a laptop with a serial port)
So, the problem lies in knowing what I need to get a laptop to be recognized by the CNC and inporting the jobs. I've seen like I said that people have no problem using Aspire or Vcarve and running it throught he DNC, I'm just struggling with understanding which hardware I need to have. My thinking right now is that I will purchase a laptop with a serial port, get AXYZ Toolpath and DNC on it, make my files from aspire and export the toolpaths (the NC files) and then import them using the DNC while the machine is connected thus bypassing the need for toolpath altogether.
Any help is greatly appreciated as I've been talking to many reps and getting nowhere, please let me know if my reasoning is sound or if I'm completely on the wrong trakc. Cheers.