computers connecting to lpt2 devices help required please

[BigRobCanUFixIt]

Hello all I have a bit of an unusual question, im trying to help my dad out who has less computer knowledge than I do.

He currently has 2 CNC machines connected to his PC using an AB switch box. which I set up for him about 5 years ago.

He now has a new lad in working with him and to keep the work rate up they need to be able to use 2 computers connected to the 2 machines at all times.

Now the machines are like massive printers in a way. Except they smash holes in metal and dont print... I was wondering whether to install a double lpt2 card in each machine but then connecting to the machine may be a pain.

Or installing a LAN print server with 2 outputs....

Any ideas if this might work.

Or any other lateral thoughts that I havent thought about.


View media item 51711
Hope someone get what i am on about lol

Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

[Astra99]

It is getting increasingly difficult to find parallel port print servers. The old favourite the Netgear PS101 is no longer available. Add-on cards, both PCI and PCIe seem to be more readily available, for example Star-Tech is one manufacturer/supplier. Both machines could then be connected to PC number 1. If they are like printers with a driver to translate the output from the software package to the machine's "language" then that driver can be shared and thus accessed from PC No.2

 

[joinerjohn]

Why not a direct connection from PC 1 to machine 1 and from PC2 to machine 2 ? If PC1 and PC 2 have to communicate with each other, then just connect them as a LAN

 

[BigRobCanUFixIt]

ok i get both the answers but....

how can i set pc 1 to send info via the lpt2 output on machine 2 as when I put the setup on there it will not detect it as a selectable port... or would it detect the port if i searched for network printer etc...

Rob

 

[Monkeh]

You cannot use a print server. They are not printers. You cannot distribute the control over the network, either.

One PC per CNC machine is the best way to go about this.

 

[davidsl500]

You can do this with 2 AB Switch boxes !

You do it by using one switch box "backwards" and one "forwards".

The first switch box is wired as if you are connecting 2 computers to one printer. The output from this switch box which would normally go to the printer, instead goes to the second switch box. The 2 machines are connected to the second switch box in the normal A and B Ports.

So to print from Computer A to Printer A, switch box 1 and 2 are set AA

To print from Computer A to Printer B Switch Box 1 is set A Switch Box 2 is set to B

To print from Computer B to Printer A Switch Box 1 is set B Switch Box 2 is set to A

To print from Computer B to Printer B Switch Box 1 is set B Switch Box 2 is set to B

Label up the computers and machines A and B to save confusion !

 

[mattylad]

Rather than a switch box wont it be better to use a crossover box that allows both to be connected to 1 machine at all times.

PC1 CNC1
X
PC2 CNC2

OR

PC1 CNC2
X
PC2 CNC1

 

[davidsl500]

Rather than a switch box wont it be better to use a crossover box that allows both to be connected to 1 machine at all times.

PC1 CNC1
X
PC2 CNC2

OR

PC1 CNC2
X
PC2 CNC1

That would do it as well but what we don't know is how far the computers are from the cnc machines plus he has 1 switch box already - correctly wired to the 2 machines with a cable back to 1 computer - this cable can be simply plugged in to the "common" on the new switch box and a cable run to each computer. Thus only 2 new "shortish" cables required locally.

Horses for courses on this one dependant on how far the computers are from each other and where the cnc machines are located in relation to the computers. I have a feeling that my way would be less disruption to the existing cabling but your way is neater in respect of only one switch to flick although probably more cabling to do!