search

DoESLiverpool / somebody-should

A place to document practices on the wiki and collect issues/suggestions/to-do items for the physical space at DoES Liverpool
31 stars 11 forks source link

Set up and commission the DUET lathe/milling machine #1662

Open Sean-anotherone opened 2 years ago

Sean-anotherone commented 2 years ago

This needs a windows PC of the right era with a serial port, the software can then be installed and the whole setup tested.

I have a suitable old PC that I'll donate, I think it has XPSP3 on it right now, which should be about right. It does not have any accessories though (keyboard/mouse/monitor)

JackiePease commented 2 years ago

Julian's found this link for USB to parallel converter, which might be useful for this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parallel-Converter-Notebooks-Desktops-Computers-default/dp/B08CC8PDSY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=119032058338&gclid=CjwKCAiAx8KQBhAGEiwAD3EiP23GXBcnB9LYKephWV1vgJMtaPHzXKZpveev08j1uXQxCsoiRiZJmRoCTkkQAvD_BwE&hvadid=498463645085&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9046552&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7230022746637880209&hvtargid=kwd-634971841188&hydadcr=10053_1769431&keywords=usb+to+parallel+port+windows+10&qid=1645279665&sr=8-3

Sean-anotherone commented 2 years ago

Further investigation revealed that it's a 25 pin serial port! (an even older standard!).

There is a USB to serial widget plugged into the machine, not sure if it is a PL2303 or a COM3xx one, but that might be enough to get it talking. Need a windows laptop or PC though, probably ME or XP era?

Sean-anotherone commented 2 years ago

Boxford do a lot of free upgrades to their software - I have no idea what version the machine came with but the list of what's available is here : https://www.boxford.co.uk/software-updates

There's also the current listing - the machine hardware looks almost identical, I bet the electronics are different though! https://www.techsoft.co.uk/products/milling-routing/boxford-dueti-lathe-and-miller

amcewen commented 2 years ago

I wonder if Gerald's PC would be worth trying? It's on Windows 7 (IIRC) but the 32-bit version, which might make enough difference?

epsaul commented 2 years ago

Boxford software now loaded on the Dell Studio computer with Windows XP installed. Drivers loaded by @magman2112 for Ethernet so machine now has internet access however still not able to access drivers for USB/Serial converter. Considering finding an old serial card or an old PC with XP.

epsaul commented 2 years ago

Device may need a new emergency stop switch.

Sean-anotherone commented 2 years ago

Ed has made huge progress with this and successfully made a couple of "experimental chess pieces" today. Some instructions for basic use and a wiki page to follow. The software and basics or operation are now worked out though, so if anyone wants to build on that to develop a proper guide that would be welcomed.

If you're wondering why the chess pieces are experimental, well, lets say that one of them might have potential to be erm.... "multifunctional". (sorry, but you needed to be there to get the joke)

amcewen commented 2 years ago

http://crystalcnc.com/images/DUET.pdf is a brochure for the Duet, which has details of the bed travel, etc.

Jcleary02 commented 2 years ago

Im interested in helping out! If Sean can document what he has discovered so far i am more than happy to help where i can :) Also the stop button almost certainly needs replacing