Is This Possible

needleworks · 15 Oct 2021 at 08:39

Quick question guys,
I have a friend who runs an engineering business and has 5 cnc machines running.
He has asked me if it would be possible to just mount a monitor on each machine, and then be able to send a picture/plan to each separate machine from a central (single) office computer.
He doesn't want the cost of installing a pc system at each machine, not to mention all the wiring etc.
He has also mentioned if it could be done wirelessly, then this would be a bonus ! (a bit like when you cast an image/video to your tv)
I've never seen anything like this before, and have no idea about what software could handle this.
If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

bloodiedathame · 15 Oct 2021 at 08:58

Remote desktop on a RPi?

mikedigitales · 15 Oct 2021 at 09:00

Is there are Raspberry Pi solution for this one, maybe a Pi on each CNC which jobs are sent to from the main PC in the office. Like Octoprint for 3D printing?

needleworks · 15 Oct 2021 at 09:27

Ooooh, sounds complicated guys :rolleyes:

bloodiedathame · 15 Oct 2021 at 09:30

The screen doesn't need to interface with the CNC machine right? Monitors with a chromecast on each perhaps?

needleworks · 15 Oct 2021 at 12:19

bloodiedathame said:
The screen doesn't need to interface with the CNC machine right? Monitors with a chromecast on each perhaps?

That's correct mate, the screens will never be connected to the machines, the screens are only to show what the job at the time looks like, they are only a visual reference.

CuriousTomCat · 15 Oct 2021 at 20:55

You've complicated the question by mentioning CNC machines when they're not even connected to the displays. Basically, you're asking how a shop like curry's shows the same image on all their TVs? An HDMI Distribution Amplifier will work. Something like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322169726035?hash=item4b02cfe453:g:d64AAOSw3ydVtPYo

Or if it's over a long distance then HDMI over ethernet.

needleworks · 16 Oct 2021 at 08:54

CuriousTomCat said:
You've complicated the question by mentioning CNC machines when they're not even connected to the displays. Basically, you're asking how a shop like curry's shows the same image on all their TVs? An HDMI Distribution Amplifier will work. Something like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322169726035?hash=item4b02cfe453:g:d64AAOSw3ydVtPYo

Or if it's over a long distance then HDMI over ethernet.

I see where you're coming from mate, but would that work when he needs a different image on each machine ?

CuriousTomCat · 16 Oct 2021 at 09:33

needleworks said:
I see where you're coming from mate, but would that work when he needs a different image on each machine ?

Sorry I didn't realise they need to be a different image.

You could use a graphics card with 6 outputs. Something like a "6 Monitor Video Card HDMI". I've seen them for around £160.

Another way would be to use Google Chromecast as previously mentioned by bloodiedathame. This is a wireless solution and each monitor would require its own Google Chromecast. They can all be controlled using a single PC.

https://help.spinify.com/hc/en-us/a...-multiple-chromecast-devices-from-one-browser

neur0maniak · 17 Oct 2021 at 10:01

Smart TVs with built in wifi and web browser.
Point each TV to a webserver on your LAN.
The web address for each TV would be slightly different to allow the server to know TV is requesting the page, and so it knows what it needs to display.
Webpage would need to include an auto-refresh to keep them in sync with info on server.

needleworks · 22 Oct 2021 at 10:20

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I think he's gonna try the chromecast option on one of his machines to see if it would be viable.