Communicating with parallel port

[grid51]

I could use some information on communicatiing with a parrallel port. I'm building a CNC router and will need to use that port. Any help appreciated.

[LarryMc]

Search the forums for "parallel" and you'll find some info

[grid51]

Hi Larry
Thanks I'll try that.

My real name is Steve
Best regards
Steve

[grid51]

Well I'm not finding much here on parallel ports. I did see something about a dll that I don't seem to have that I will need. But now it's gone it seems. Why would that be deleted?

[LarryMc]

http://www.ionicwind.com/forums/index.php?topic=2767.msg23314#msg23314

[grid51]

Thanks I think,
I'm using IWB so not sure if that's what I need. I was looking at other info on a dll I need not sure if this is usable.
This is one I'm looking at to see if it would work with IWB:
http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/inpout32/default.htm

Thanks for your help.
I got these shiny new toys (stepper control module, three nema 23 stepper motors, 24v power supply) just sitting here and I'm no where near to hooking them up to pc to play with. So first I have to start with programming a parallel port before I can even begin. And it doesn't help that I'm getting older and memory isn't what it use to be.
Seems I have to keep relearning what I once knew if you know what I mean. I have big plans for all this if I live long enough    as I have much work to do before I even build a machine.
Thanks again.
Steven

[LarryMc]

I'm using IWB so not sure if that's what I need. I was looking at other info on a dll I need not sure if this is usable.
This is one I'm looking at to see if it would work with IWB:
http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/inpout32/default.htm

The thread that I posted
http://www.ionicwind.com/forums/index.php?topic=2767.msg23314#msg23314
is using the code you are looking at here
http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/inpout32/default.htm
Techo had been wanting to read/write parallel ports for quite some time.
In the cited thread he posted what he had come up with in using the lib(along with the code he wrote)
He was asking for help because his program wasn't working.  After he posted his code other members helped him to correct his code.
So yes, I think you should study that thread AND inpout32.dll will work.

I got these shiny new toys (stepper control module, three nema 23 stepper motors, 24v power supply)

About12 years ago I bought all that hardware plus  I have a set of 24x36 drawings(about 2 dozen) showing how to build a complete CNC machine including your own bearings using roller blade wheels.  Health and lack of room led to me never doing anything with it.

Curious
Do you actually have a parallel port on your computer? Or are you using a USB to PP adapter.
If you are using the latte I would think that it should have come with a driver and all you need to do is use their command format.

[grid51]

Ok cool Larry thanks
Sounds like you've been on the road I'm just starting on 
Any chance of seeing those plans ?
I have ideas on how I might do it but shortcuts might be good too lol
Always short on time. I saw a vid on youtube where they was using drawer guides but don't know how sturdy that would be lol
Anyway thanks again for your help. If I get this thing working maybe I'll send a donation to this site.
P.S. it's good to see this site still has some activity going on too

[grid51]

Oh and yes pc has a parallel port and that's what the driver module uses to receive signals to send pulses to the steppers. I will have a lot of 3 dimensional math to work out and then convert to a form the port can read as a series of pulses.
Thanks again Larry
Steven

[LarryMc]

Did a little searching in the "archives " and come up with this using the dll you are thinking about.

[grid51]

Hey thanks that might work.

[grid51]

Just to let you know, that did work 
Wouldn't work at first but that was because I had to enable using a control output signal. Motors working smoothly now.
Thanks again.
Steve

[LarryMc]

Good! and thanks for the feedback.