[cctalk] Re: CNC with pdp 11 minicomputers

On Dec 12, 2025, at 18:50, devin davison via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: It's been a while since i last wrote to the list. I have been reading up a lot on early cnc systems. While recently picking up some left over tech from a shutdown machine shop, spotted a early cnc system with some kind of minicomputer attached. Looked to have some kind of tape drive and paper tape punch. It looked like it was stored under a leaky roof, ball of rust, it looked too far gone to salvage anything useful. Sadly phone was dead at the time and i did not get pictures. Reading up on wikipedia, Data General Nova and Dec PDP 11 mini computers are mentioned as used in early cnc. Are there any surviving cnc systems, details, or software for the pdp 11? I am interested to know a bit more how the hardware was interfaced. I have pdp 11/34 systems for example, not sure if the external machine hardware is directly wired into the unibus with a/d cards, or if some kind of external hardware controller is driven by the pdp. I have not found much info on any software used for this purpose. Any accounts of how this worked or other interesting stories / info much appriciated. Thanks, Devin D'Amico