04 prt

[Tim Lucas]

2004 PRT - is that normally a USB ?

[bleeth]

Serial. You have serial in the old PRT control box but can use a serial to usb converting connector to your computer.

[barrowj]

The Late 2004 PRT Alpha, starting August 2004 I believe (which I just recently purchased) had the serial to usb converter on the controller.

[Tim Lucas]

Thanks Dave, buying one and need to use eCabinets on it - do you know anything about the ecabinets dongle?

[Tim Lucas]

The Late 2004 PRT Alpha, starting August 2004 I believe (which I just recently purchased) had the serial to usb converter on the controller.

Thanks Joe, this one is standard, need it to cut sheet goods

[bleeth]

The dongle plugs into your computer, not the controller. It allows a internet connection with a Thermwood program that takes the output from e-cab, which is in Thermwood language, and converts it to usable code (G) for your Shopbot. Your controller to computer hookup doesn't change. I think you can still download the software for it to look at and there is documentation available. There are several botters (and one notable ex-botter) here who use it regularly and perhaps they will chime in.

[Tim Lucas]

The dongle plugs into your computer, not the controller. It allows a internet connection with a Thermwood program that takes the output from e-cab, which is in Thermwood language, and converts it to usable code (G) for your Shopbot. Your controller to computer hookup doesn't change. I think you can still download the software for it to look at and there is documentation available. There are several botters (and one notable ex-botter) here who use it regularly and perhaps they will chime in.

Awesome, I have downloaded the ecabs to bot software just did not realize the dongle plugs into my design computer. Thanks again :D

[2006prt]

I have the link and the dongle plugged into my computer that runs the bot. I have ecabs on another computer that I use for design. The design computer does not need the dongle or the program the link program.

Just my 2 cents.

Todd

[Tim Lucas]

I have the link and the dongle plugged into my computer that runs the bot. I have ecabs on another computer that I use for design. The design computer does not need the dongle or the program the link program.

Just my 2 cents.

Todd

Thanks Todd, I thought it was on the bot computer, I may have to add a usb port if I can, we will see when it gets here.

[Mark Farris]

Tim,
Glad to see you found a bot. My first one was a 2002 PRT. Do your self a favor when you recover from the initial cost and invest the $1500.00 in the upgraded V4G board. It is an easy install and gives you the direct USB connection and makes the machine run so much smoother and nearly twice the speed. I have been out of town several weekends in a row but will be available a lot more after this weekends Aspire user group and would be more than happy to offer any assistance helping you to get going. I don't know anything about the ecabinets link, but have worked through a lot of the standard problems.

Mark

[Tim Lucas]

Tim,
Glad to see you found a bot. My first one was a 2002 PRT. Do your self a favor when you recover from the initial cost and invest the $1500.00 in the upgraded V4G board. It is an easy install and gives you the direct USB connection and makes the machine run so much smoother and nearly twice the speed. I have been out of town several weekends in a row but will be available a lot more after this weekends Aspire user group and would be more than happy to offer any assistance helping you to get going. I don't know anything about the ecabinets link, but have worked through a lot of the standard problems.

Mark

Thanks Mark, I should receive it next week :D not sure if the board has been upgraded yet :confused:

[Mark Farris]

Just open the controller case and the control card number is printed on the edge of the card, then check it with Shopbot.

Mark