[neilthib]

Just purchased a 1989 VMC 40 with 4th axis. Was wondering if you can DNC with a laptop,If so what kind of cable will I need? Most laptops use a fifteen pin comms cable. I have a old Dell desktop but am currently using it to run another machine using Mach3. Would like to use a laptop with the VMC 40 but I am not sure If I can.

[FastFieros]

I have a Dell C840 with serial and USB ports. I use the USB to Serial converter cable, and then a custom made DB 9 pin to DB 25 pin cable. Fadal has some strange cable setup that a null modem cable will only work from laptop to machine. if you want to download from machine to laptop, you have to have that special config to do this.

[DareBee]

I used a USB to serial for awhile - just way too many errors (scrap is EXPENSIVE).
Bought a serial card and it is superb.

The cable to the machine is spec'd in the manual.

[scadvice]

We are using a serial card also for both Fadal and a Fanuc controlled turning center.
Steve.

[iess525]

You can use an RS232 cable or we offer a USB port that allows you to bypass the RS232 and use a supplied 2GB USB thumb drive to load programs.

[neilthib]

If I use a serial card will be able to drip feed?

[FastFieros]

Drip feeding is just based on the correct communications from laptop to VMC, and VMC back to laptop.

I use a IOGear USB to DB9 serial and it works 100% both directions.

Serial cards are just another way of getting a COM? on a PCMCIA slot. It should work with all parameters and proper cable.