584,829 active members*
5,087 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Tormach Personal CNC Mill > Tormach PathPilot™ > Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?
Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    673

    Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Sorry if already covered somewhere. What's the Next Generation mean? Just software upgrades? another commodity computer? I have a pathpilot controller already - will I need to upgrade to the new one or just put on the latest software upgrades and I'm next gen then?

    Thanks..

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    1145

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Where do you see that term used for PathPilot ??

    (;-) TP

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    19

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    This is mentioned in a blog article written in 2015. I believe they meant the next generation after the Mach3 controller.

    https://www.tormach.com/blog/pathpilot-beta-testing/

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1788

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    It is mentioned at https://www.tormach.com/store/index....uctory_Package but looking up the listed part number gives nothing.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    673

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    its on the latest ad copy for the new MX with servos.... but there's no detail behind it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    2151

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    I think its a small form factor pc like rdsi built in the other thread. I was tempted to do this a year or so ago. Uses different Mesa card then current controller. Also encoder feed back thru parallel port. All this I picked up reading threads and looking at pics posted on net over last year or 2.
    Also seen pics of a console control like other cnc machines have with mpg hand wheels and stuff. But no info.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    1602

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    I thought I read they were using an ethernet Mesa card with the breakout board in the computer control cabinet. I could be mistaken though.

    bob

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    644

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Quote Originally Posted by rowbare View Post
    I thought I read they were using an ethernet Mesa card with the breakout board in the computer control cabinet. I could be mistaken though.

    bob
    Probably they mean something like this: ( both versions would be "Next Generation" )

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkkup30bCwE

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    1145

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Also in the update to V2.0.0 they changed from a 32 bit OS to a 64bit OS and they combined the controller card with the ECM board also with the new MX machine they added a lot of safety features plus rigid tapping and spindle orientation to teh mix. So yes it could be teh next generation of tormach controls.

    (;-) TP

  10. #10

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    I bet they replaced Kirk with Picard.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    673

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Quote Originally Posted by JerryGarcia View Post
    I bet they replaced Kirk with Picard.


    I sold my series III hardware when I had to move, but kept the controller. I guess I could use it with the lathe and get the new controller with the mill... (little ways out yet to get new machines)

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    2151

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Looks like Tormach is quoting SOME machines with what is labeled as a brix controller. A small form factor pc that can mount to back of monitor and connect to and control machines via cat5 cable. Only draw back I guess is usb wireless network would be only choice as these box/mb combos have only one lan port. And maybe 2 usb ports so all usb devices like keyboard ,mouse ,puck, touchscreen would all plug into a external usb expander. In the past I have read that usb expanders can be a problem with machine controllers, only guessing they have fixed this.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    630

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    It means someone has been watching Haas videos...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    2151

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenny Duval View Post
    It means someone has been watching Haas videos...
    You lost me. Or is this posted in wrong thread?

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Posts
    70

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Pretty sure the name just reflects the much smaller form factor with the elimination of the Mesa PCI or PCIe card and the move to ethernet connected machine control vs. the large DB25, difficult to route cabling formerly required. And all of these controllers come with SSD internal storage vs. the rotational media of the older generation. Although I think the older style controllers for the 15L and 440 have also moved on to SSD by now for increased reliability within a shop environment.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    630

    Re: Anybody know what "PathPilot Controller - Next Generation" means?

    Quote Originally Posted by mountaindew View Post
    You lost me. Or is this posted in wrong thread?
    The Haas marketing wanks named the current control as the Next Generation control.

Similar Threads

  1. X Axis "Goes Off Pattern", "Awry", "Skewed", "Travels"
    By DaDaDaddio in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-06-2013, 09:59 AM
  2. what "@" sign means
    By guhl in forum Fanuc
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-03-2010, 09:39 PM
  3. What are some ways of storing "sun energy" that would be useful for power generation?
    By Smertrios in forum Environmental / Alternate Energy
    Replies: 40
    Last Post: 12-15-2009, 06:56 AM
  4. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •