[gilligan]

I picked up a pda model 0113 router/profiler and it has a tape reader (general automation everything) on it ETI technologies went through it and I was checking on a behind the tape reader when I found out that it wasn't even hooked up thought it was a mistake till I found a plug that converted it to I think a printer parallel port I will up load some pictures of it the question is if this is the fact that all I have to do is hook it up to a computer what kind of programming do I need to get it to talk to the computer? Or if any one has any knowledge on this machine the help would be greatly appreciated.

[Al_The_Man]

Most tape readers are parallel interface, the BTR converts it to serial with a specialty card, it looks like maybe that was the parallel interface cable to a previous fitted BTR?
Al.

[gilligan]

I rember some disks that the guy i bought it from had is it possible that a computer program did all the translating of everything instead of hardware or to make it short could they have done software instead of hardware?

[oaktree444]

Well ..I set up a couple of ""old"" Bostomatic mills 12x12x12xA not too awfull long ago .....made in mid 70's...excellent documentation.......computers have changed alot...but the physical charistics are same....survived...but I regress...
Im not familliar with that particular machine but....I'll see if I can help ya get started...
maybe save ya some head scratching ...answer these by number and it'll be easier

1. Is the controll unit (computer box) and electrics cabinet (high voltage, relays,ect)
in the same cabinet ?
2. Is the tape reader output hex (4-bit)(byte)? rather than octal (3-bit)(byte)?
3. Does the control unit have a computer monitor?
4. Do you have the executive tape needed to load the (Firmware) into the controll
computer?
5. Is there less than 5 plug-in-like computer cards in back of controller?
6. Does your control, axis and spindle drive have combined weigh of less than 100
pounds?
7. Can you by hand lift the control cabinet and put into a Ford Escort hatch-back?
8. Do you enjoy matianance and repair?

If you answered NO or I Don't Know to more than 5 of these STOP!
go ahead and get a used 486 pc (DOS) it up and (windows) it down..
Download Mach3 ...wire it up.....to your drives and switches and get back to work..
.....lol.....
you've got a project there SWEEPER....just drink a beer and look at it and decide...
which way you want to spend your time and money...ask around...most likely...convert it now...gonna be cheaper and easier in long run...considering you'll be prone to breakdowns and you'll have to spend a little money either way....twice when you decide to convert it latter...I look at it like this, when it's not running, considering someones working on it, and it's not
cutting, and rent and electricity and insurance and phone bills and so-on continue, your raising the cost of every part you make forever on ..cause you can't get down time back??
But if you need a BTR.. I made some for octal reader's they convert hex to octal..PC serial (RS232)in... shift register..flip/flop parellel out to where your tape plugs...alot of those octal readers also use inverted data...and signaling (ie) bussy/send ...you can build my btr from my prints or i'll make you one what ever you want to try..I may have an extra one lying around if ya want to try it first...think i built couple of spares..
they fit behind ECHO,Tecktronics,Data General,D-116,...etc...etc...I can modify if needed for ya ...mine are not encased in epoxy..open, and scoketted, , there serviceable. do you have any documentiation on your machine?

[gilligan]

there is a spool on the tape reader that says mach3 on it so im thinking that they made a ticker tape with the program on it? I am going to try an old computer on it i think it might work. I will get some specs for the machine and post them later on today. I might just change controls it would be simpler in the long run all the machine x and y axis are run by servo and z it ran by air it is real simple. the only down side to the machine now is it is set up for 440 and i would like 220 or 110 i know 220 is possible. thank you for your help!!!