1 Computer 2 acorn boards

[mntlvr]

Hello Group
I am thinking of buying a second Acorn controller .
I have one now and want a second to control a second CNC.
I use a laptop with the software installed on this computer and I want to know if I can control 2nd Acorn board from same computer.
Or Do I have to purchase a complete new software package ?
Thanks
mntlvr

[eng199]

The software unlocks are tied to the ACORN board, so you can't use a paid package with a different board. You would have to switch unlock files when changing boards.

The IP address is static, so you can't connect both at the same time. You would have to change which Ethernet cable is connected to the PC.

[mntlvr]

No I do not wish to use both at same time, I wish to move the computer between each machine as necessary.

[Gary Campbell]

Why is it that folks invest in what is normally an expensive computer controlled machine and feel the need to save a few bucks on the computer?

To me, it makes as much sense as: "I have 2 cars and only want to buy one set of tires. I only will use one at a time and I don't mind the few minutes it takes to swap them over."

The reality is that like the tires on the car, the PC is an integral part of the CNC equation. One per machine. Guys on here are showing perfectly good PC's they bought in the $150 range. Which is a very small percentage of a total system cost.

[mntlvr]

Not trying to use one set of tires just want to have one computer to maintain not 5

[tblough]

Yes, it can be done. There were a couple of threads in the Acorn forum a year or so ago detailing the process.

[mntlvr]

Thanks for the information I will search again for this information

[DY10CNC]

Hello,

There is a simple solution to using two machines/Acorn boards from one computer, however you can only use one Acorn board at a time.

For a time I used one computer to control a Mill and a lathe as I had no space for a second PC.

I used a TP-Link TL-SG1005D, 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch. (Amazon UK - cost about £23 - maybe $20 in the USA)

Connect each of the Acorn boards to an an Ethernet port on the TP Link and your "one set of tyres" CNC PC to another port.

DO NOT switch on both Acorn boards at the same time as this causes problems!

I now have two computers which is the way to go, but using the Ethernet switch works fine until you have the space/funding for a second CNC PC.

The Ether1616 I/O expansion kit for Acorn CNC controller uses an Ethernet switch to communicate between Acorn and additional I/O relays, so not all bad...

Best Regards,

Edward

[mntlvr]

Thanks for the reply i did find this topic from several years ago and your suggestion was very similar

[martyscncgarage]

Why is it that folks invest in what is normally an expensive computer controlled machine and feel the need to save a few bucks on the computer?

To me, it makes as much sense as: "I have 2 cars and only want to buy one set of tires. I only will use one at a time and I don't mind the few minutes it takes to swap them over."

The reality is that like the tires on the car, the PC is an integral part of the CNC equation. One per machine. Guys on here are showing perfectly good PC's they bought in the $150 range. Which is a very small percentage of a total system cost.

I echo your sentiments Gary.....
Seeing Lenovo Tiny PC's with Windows 10 and SSD's on ebay for between $100-$200
They are so small.
Marty