xyz pro3000 with prototrak mx2

[chris mcnicollParticipant @chrismcnicoll83540]

hi there, i am looking at getting a new to me mill which has the prototrak mx2 fitted, i see these are floppy drive based. im new to the cnc side so my question is can i make my design on my pc in say solidworks etc and get the program onto the prototrak?
forgive my newbie question but we all gotta start somewhere right?

thanks
chris

[chris mcnicollParticipant @chrismcnicoll83540]

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

From my memory of prototrak it is good for all the regular 2D shapes direct from it's control. I think you may struggle with software from PC for 3D stuff. Worth an enquiry though it's been over 20 years since I looked at prototrak.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

[This posting has been removed]

[Anonymous]

Difficult to be sure, but definitely looks to be 2D only. If that's true, and there is no computer controlled Z movement, then that is very limiting. For simple 2D the size of the floppy probably won't limit program sizes. But on the assumption that the controller won't run code direct from the floppy look at the size of the onboard memory. That may be a lot less than the size of the floppy.

When I was looking for a CNC mill I considered secondhand Bridgeport style CNC mills but was put off by several factors. One, they were very limited in what they could do, I wanted 4-axis capability and 1980s electronics put me off. If (when) they go wrong repair/replacement is difficult and/or expensive, if not impossible. I'm a professional electronics engineer, but I wanted to make parts, not faff around repairing old electronics.

Personally I wouldn't even consider it.

Andrew

[steve bird 2Participant @stevebird2]

As said , MX 2 is 2 d , even MX3 Can only move 2 axis at once. Floppy can be upgraded to a USB emulator but not a easy job. Floppys get moody and trying to get a copy is hard work, needs to be formatted as a early type. Can send programs to it with cable but limited to 500? lines. Iv'e tried drip feeding but buffer cuts out at the wrong time. XYZ not much help and want to upgrade whole system ( new control wont work with existing drive motors).

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