Introduction
Have you ever wished for having a Mac instead of your PC but couldn‘t make thist step because of the windows based RC related software? That‘s what I experienced in the last months. I am using ProfiliRanis Nurflügel and GMFC. However, since Apple decided to use Intel CPUs instead of Motorola, an additional Windows OS can be booted with Bootcamp. The disadvantage of course is that you can not run both worlds simultaneously but you have to boot Windows or MacOS individually. An alternative to using Bootcamp is a virtual machine (VM) that runs in MacOS and simulates a complete PC. If you can live with the speed drawback, you have a major advantage: Windows apps run seamlessly in your Mac environment.

Connectability
So the principle feasibility of running my RC software with a Mac was given. The only question was how to connect my foam cutter to a Mac without a parallel port. I didn‘t trust USB to parallel converters because the USB port in general is not working in real time and I needed a precise conversion of the commands for the stepper motors.
So the final obstacle between me and a Mac purchase was removed when Gilles brought out the USB adapter for GMFC. I believe it‘s primary design is for operating GMFC on PCs without parallel port, like laptops. However the curious child in me took the risk and was rewarded... :-)
 
It‘s a Mac!
So finally I bought a Mac Mini. I tried two different VM together with Windows XP Home:
  • With the commercial "Parallels Desktop" I didn't manage to move the stepper motors.

  • With the free "Virtualbox" from Sun and the "GuestAdditions" it worked after trying some settings.


Known issues so far:
  • After booting WinXP under Virtualbox I have to connect the USB adapter (again), otherwise its not recognised by the device manager.

  • I cannot swap the axes with MMUSB. For now, I am cutting a left wing by choosing "cut right wing". I have to switch the motor cables...


The good news:
  • I could not provoke any step losses. Tried to move the axes back and forth many times. Already cut 2 wing panels with MacOS.
  • I can cut foam with my Mac. I might be the first guy who tried that. Makes me a hero I guess? Gilles agrees :-)
  • I finally ripped my old PC away from under my desk, don't need it any more. 


The setup details:
Hardware:
  • Mac Mini with Intel Core 2 Duo 1,8GHz and 1 GB Ram (more should be better)
  • Gilles‘ USB adapter
  • Selfmade lowcost stepper controller without heat acquisition.


Software:
  • Mac OS X version 10.5.6
  • Virtualbox version 2.1.4 with "GuestAddons"
  • Windows XP, stock version, I believe with SP2
  • GMFC Pro .86 dev. version
The parameters for virtual box:
 
 
And finally some evidence:
 
 

Last Updated (Sunday, 06 September 2009 15:37)