plasma cam, anyone have experiance?

[riley.m]

does anyone own, or have experiance with the plasma cam. We just got ours and havn't set it up yet. We are contemplating what kind of computer to get for it. I am leaning towards a laptop, so that it can be stored inside easily. if any of you are familiar with the computing requirements of of this machine please let me know what you think.

 

[niss]

We have a Multi-cam Plasma Table at our shop.

 

[pjcforpres2020]

The website says Windows based PC:

http://www.plasmacam.com/faqdetail.php?fid=5

I would assume that a laptop can handle the job just as well, though, as long as it is a newer one. Maybe ask them the exact OS/Computer system requirements to make sure? As long as the laptop meets those, you will be fine.

 

[speed bump]

The one I used just had an old computer retired out of the office. They generally dont take much and in a shop envionrment i would put much out there.

One thing to remember is no matter what the computer is going to get dirty and $10 keyboards are cheaper than trying to keep laptops clean.

 

[riley.m]

The one I used just had an old computer retired out of the office. They generally dont take much and in a shop envionrment i would put much out there.

One thing to remember is no matter what the computer is going to get dirty and $10 keyboards are cheaper than trying to keep laptops clean.

That makes sense, another reason that i forgot to mention, is that in the winter it gets to 30 below here.
Also after exploring some other plasmacam blogs, i learned that the plasma cam plugs in using parallel ports, and that a parallel port to usb connector wont work. Did the old computer from the office have parallel ports instead of usb connections. Just curious.
And how was the software that came with the machine. was it easy for you to go from drawing to actual product? or do you need a background in CAD.