Communicating with laptop via usb?

[Rob B]

Please Help!!!!!!!

I am presently communicating to 2 Mazak's (M32 controller) with my desktop using 9 pin serial port with no problems. We are trying to communicate using a laptop that has no 9 pin connection. We have purchased an adaptor(usb to 9 pin serial port) so we can send using our exsisting communication wires. It continues to lock up the machine and the laptop. Windows has configured the 9 pin serial as com4 and says it is working.

I am using V9 and laptop has XP Home.

I thought someone gave reference, a couple of weeks ago, to a west coast dealer that had a webpage with communication configurations for MC to Mazak.

Thanks

Rob

[Bullines]

In my experience, the USB-to-serial converters are terrible. I've had more success with the Quatech PCMCIA serial cards.

[Cannon]

We have two machines hooked up with those adapters and no problems. Try some other com number it may help.

[Rob B]

I have tried all comm #'s still no luck. Mazaks can be a pain to communicate with sometimes.

 

Bullines,

I will try this card and let you know.

[Jimmy Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

I use keyspan adapters with nop problems, others I have tried cause buffer probs even with fifo turned off.

 

May try pin 1 to shield on the mazak. They are strange.

[horsepowered]

Rob,I had the same problem when I updated my old laptop with serial port to a new laptop with only USB ports. I bought Belkin and a couple of other adaptors that did not work. What did work for me was a USB to serial cable from Radio Shack ( Part# 26-183 ). I am using XP as well and sending to a Haas Mill, Harding Lathe, and an Okuma Lathe with no problems what so ever. I use the Cimco Edit program that came with version 9 and it works like a charm. I hope this is of help to you.

[cadcam]

I tell all to stay away from USB to Serial as I say 90% of the time they don't work.

 

I use and sell the cards that Bullines linked.

I got most of the rechs at are office with laptops the same cards.

 

Can't go wrong there.

[BissTool]

Hi All,

 

Was wondering if there was any new remedies to this problem. I am having the same problem as Rob B.

[BissTool]

Hi All,

 

Was wondering if there were any new remedies to this problem of Rob B.

[Todd Tracey from Fastech]

Typically, I've found tht adaptors purchased at Best Buy or similar are a problem. I get them from a place in Florida for about $25.00 inicluding shipping and they work well. The one I get was reccomended by the guys at CIMCO.

[BissTool]

Thx Todd for the feedback. I went to Staples and bought their brand adapter and it didn't work. So I went to Radio Shack to give them a try and their's worked great.

[Jayson Kramer]

I have found the the hight cost ones at Radio shack do work but the best Idea is to get a PMCIA Com port card works the best this what I use.

[GnoGueyJose]

I have found the the hight cost ones at Radio shack do work but the best Idea is to get a PMCIA Com port card works the best this what I use.

Unless of course your laptop does not have a slot which is becoming more common by the day.

[John_Carpenter]

Yes-- the issue with USB serial. Mainly caused because USB is at a 5V logic level and true serial swings from -12 to +12. There is quite a desparity between the makers of these converters.

 

We have had the best luck with the Prolific chip set ones such as: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812196349

 

It is still strongly recommended not to go this route but instead take the time and expense of putting in a true ethernet or USB to RS232 converter (or better yet wireless to RS232). Our favorite US company to provide these WIRED products is: www.comtrol.com

 

If you are in a country on the other side of the world - the most respectable vendor for this type of hardware product we have found is www.atop.com.tw

 

Regards,

 

John

[Watcher]

This is what CIMCO uses and recommend for their customers:

 

http://www.moxa.com/.../uport_1110.htm

 

I have it here too for emergencies: Works perfectly.