iMac needs to connect to older machines that use RS232 inputs

[JonSchaeffer]

Anyone use an Apple computer to up load NC file to older Lathe that uses RS232 inputs?

Can I go and get cables that go from iMac USB and connect to the RS232 on the machine?

[RandyKopf]

@JonSchaeffer

I don't have a MAC but did have the same problem with a PC that had no serial ports.

Radio shack has a USB to RS232 cable that worked. My PC added it as a COM4 and I was good to go.

The cable did not say it was for PC or for MAC so there is no reason it would not work.

The Gigaware cable I bought was a USB to DB9 pin Serial

Bestbuy has them and states they are compatable with both PC and MAC

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&st=usb+to+serial

There are also cables that will convert from 9pin to 25pin if you need that.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=432216

Hope this helps! 

[JonSchaeffer]

@RandyKopf cool thank you.

Did you need to use a certain software to set up the bod rates and Parity and that stuff?

[RandyKopf]

@JonSchaeffer

I happen to run a copy of Cimco Edit. It lets me setup Baud Rate, Data Bits Stop Bits etc... Protocol etc.

There was discussion a couple weeks back on this subject in this post.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/computer-aided-machining-cam/dnc/m-p/6637017#M18633

Mark with Hughes Tooling made a suggestion to use Heidenheim's free communication tool with the link to that software in the post I just linked.

[xander.luciano]

He's on a mac though, so most DNC software is going to be a windows program.

Surprisingly, this has come up a lot recently and at one point I had thought of programming a simple multi-platform DNC program so that Mac users could transfer files also. Seeing as there is still clear demand for such software, I think I might actually develop one.

Good to know there's a need for one!
Best,
Xander Luciano

[RandyKopf]

Back in the day in we would script an open port... Set comm rates and protocols and pipe a file to that port. Not sure Mac is that smart? that was on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroVAX but I'm sure you'll figure it out just saying.

[xander.luciano]

Haha exactly! For a 1 one communication protocol that's all you need!

I have no issues doing that on windows as I can hook into the .NET serial port library. My only concern would be that the mac would restrict access to the COM port. I gotta look into OS X a bit more to figure it out.

[JonSchaeffer]

Well I am on my way to an electronics store. To get a USB to Serial Port.

And I down loaded a trial version of Easy DNC I will give an update to how it works out...