Uses for Old Computers

I have a number of older rackmounted computers that I would like to use for CNC usage.

What are the requirements (CPU, MHz, HD size, video) that is needed for the popular types of software in use today?

Does anyone use rack mounted computers? If so, how do you have them set up in your shop environment?

Since I have a number of them, where should one draw the line as to what to keep and what to toss?

Is there anything one should salvage from the old computers before one scraps them?

Thanks

TMT

Reply to
Too_Many_Tools
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OK, that could be any one of a score of mini-computers, old Intel/Motorola/etc. micros, or even programmable controllers. Makes it kind of difficult to answer your questions.

Reply to
Larry Blanchard

"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:

Why don't you go to your chosen CNC web site and see what their software requires for CPU hardware. I think in this case you may want to find the software first, then see what will work on your hardware. Remember though, that you already have "old" computer equipment, and that it will become obsolete even faster than current equipment, meaning the next update of your favourite CNC software may exceed the computers ability to function.

And very important, DO NOT use the computer in a non-clean (dust free) enviroment, like your shop. The airflow through the computer needs to be dust free.

Reply to
Nirodac

Computers are a lot tougher than folks are led to believe. I doubt the "dust" problem is any worse in your shop than it is under the average computer user's desk. I have 2 in cars (desktops, used as MP3 players) that start up in the Florida heat and run fine. The MP3 PC in my garage/shop survived a fire and it is still going fine. If dust really bothers you, put some of that "cut and install" filter material over the air intakes.

Reply to
gfretwell

The biggest problem with dust in computers is that it blocks the airflow and makes the machine overheat.

Reply to
Roy Smith

That and depending on what you do in your shop (grinding, plasma cutting, machining graphite, etc.) you can have conductive dust that will short things out very quickly.

I worked on some CNC machines in a shop that machined graphite composite molds and *everything* in their shop was sealed. Everything normally open drip proof was sealed up, the control cabinets had A/C ducted in and out and the cabinet doors were sealed with duct tape, etc. All the even with a truly massive dust collection system that once sucked up a

1" micrometer that was placed near one of the collection hoses and lifted it 20' to the ceiling and then 100'+ to the dust separator and deposited it in the collection drums.

Pete C.

Reply to
Pete C.

You might look at the later IBM 75xx series, the 7585 and up. They have the ability to mount filters in them. They MIGHT get up into the P3 range, but I'm not sure.

[BTW, I'm looking for any IBM 7568 "Gearbox 800" industrial computers or parts]

I've seen computers caked with dust and still work> Roy Smith wrote:

Reply to
Louis Ohland

I normally would go to the various CNC sites but if you do you will find that they are deliberately vague about what computing power they actually need.

In addition, I have the old computers NOW and many of them are rack mount systems that are very expensive to replace. Considering that they are setup for running in less than desirable environments, it would be a shame to toss them if they could be used in homebrew CNC setups.

One thought I have is if the CPUs are not powerful enough, one could retrofit the cases with newer electronics....but first one needs to assess if the older electronics are insufficient for the CNC software that is popular today.

So has anyone done this analysis...with all the older computers out there I would expect this to be of interest to many people.

Perhaps I should also ask what type of CPU power do you have in your shop? While my immedicate interest is in CNC, a computer has many uses in a shop environment.

TMT

Nirodac wrote:

Reply to
Too_Many_Tools

Those were PS/2 boxes and I doubt if any of them could even be hot rodded up to a PII. Go over to comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware and ask around. Those guys are still holding the flag on these machines and they know more than IBM does these days. In real life you could make a box to put your PC in with big filters and a big fan if you think it is a problem. We are supposed to be craftsmen ;-) My garage PC/MP3 player is in a wood case but so are most of my machines.

Reply to
gfretwell

========================== You may just need to replace the motherboard, CPU and memory in the existing rack mount enclosure. I would suggest getting the exact model numbers of what you have and contacting a vendor that specalizes in hardware upgrades. If you have a digital camera photos may also help.

I have had good luck with Tiger Direct.

see

formatting link
example you can get an Intel D865GVHZL & Celeron D 340

2.93GHz processor for only only $79.99 after rebate and add 1 gig of memory (2) each Ultra 512MB PC3200 @ $39.99 after rebate or 160$ total for an upgrade. You may want to upgrade your hard drive and add a cd/dvd burner.

Generally a "do it yourself" job if you take it slow and don't force anything.

What operating system(s) are you using?

Unka George (George McDuffee)

There is something to be said for government by a great aristocracy which has furnished leaders to the nation in peace and war for generations; even a democrat like myself must admit this. But there is absolutely nothing to be said for government by a plutocracy, for government by men very powerful in certain lines and gifted with the "money touch," but with ideals which in their essence are merely those of so many glorified pawnbrokers.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), U.S. Republican (later Progressive) politician, president. Letter, 15 Nov. 1913.

Reply to
F. George McDuffee

When I looked it seems the version 1.x software is W/3.1 and up so damn near anything should run it. The version 2.x is NT or XP only so that pretty much gets you up into the PIII neighborhood, just to support the bloated operating system. I can't see why a 4.88 mz XT wouldn't be enough to run the machines but the cartoon interface may be a power hog.

Reply to
gfretwell

Non Graphic (non windows) PC CNC runs fine on 286 processors in many cases. Windows interface needs minimum 486, Win98 and XP or NT start at the Pentium level.

Reply to
clare at snyder.on.ca

Do a search on Linux CNC and you may find some solutions. What is old?

Rack mount usually means server grade pc, but not always.

Too_Many_Tools wrote:

Reply to
Dwight

Did it pass calibration afterwards?

Gunner

"I think this is because of your belief in biological Marxism. As a genetic communist you feel that noticing behavioural patterns relating to race would cause a conflict with your belief in biological Marxism." Big Pete, famous Usenet Racist

Reply to
Gunner

We have 60MHz Pentium controlling 16ft swing cnc lathes turning multi-million dollar forgings. Does that count? :-)

Rack mounting may or may not be useful depending on how many computers you want to use in the workshop. I currently have three in the workshop and will probably replace them with two rack mounted units when I either "inherit" some from work, or buy rack mount cases to put the guts of the existing ones into.

formatting link
shows (bottom left) a rack mount server that I had in the garage running web sites for the wife, It's still there, but hasn't run for a while since I consolidated all of the web sites onto one machine in my new workshop. I have access to better rack mounting bits now (and better welding skills :).

Mark Rand RTFM

Reply to
Mark Rand

OmniTurn CNC lathes software runs just fine on the 386 it was written for, or anything higher.

Gunner

"I think this is because of your belief in biological Marxism. As a genetic communist you feel that noticing behavioural patterns relating to race would cause a conflict with your belief in biological Marxism." Big Pete, famous Usenet Racist

Reply to
Gunner

I don't know, but it sure took quite a clanking ride.

Pete C.

Reply to
Pete C.

Greg, the 7568 was the only IBM industrial computer that used a passive backplane AND MCA interposers. The 758x and higher had PII, I'm not sure which because they are PCI or PCI/ISA.

It uses a Socket 3 and tops out with a DX4-100 or a Turbochip. Limited to a maximum of 32MB of FPM [a fifth bank of 8MB provides ECC). I'm afraid the current CNC programs would find it excruciatingly slow if not generate a hang trying to step the servos fast enough.

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote:

Reply to
Louis Ohland

One of the first CNC's I ran was a conversion of a hardinge chucker. It used an old XT for a controller. Also used an EGA monitor with dual 5" drives. I don't think it even had a hard drive. Operating system was in one drive and programs in the other. It even cut threads. They have an old green screen Okuma LC40 and it takes forever to boot up. I think it's over 25 years old, so it can't be running very fast.

Richard W.

Reply to
Richard W.

Been in a machine shop lately? Contrary to popular belief, we gave up the cold chisels and files some time ago. Our file server is a 386. It sits 6 feet away from a 10 horse vertical machining center. Been there since it was new. Still works fine. Got two more, much more modern design, computers sitting right next to it doing shop management duty. Many shops have PCs at every machine for file transfer, editing, programming and DNC. Nothing special just off the shelf PCs. When they got rid of the ball in the mouse, that was a great thing. There are no exposed electrons in a PC. Fans take the biggest hit.

Reply to
CW

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