Industrial Solutions

A new version of the USB pen drive software pack is now available in the download area and on the Floppy Emulator V3 website.

The package contains the FEI-Tool (disk image tool for Windows, Linux, AND Mac OS X), sample disk images, documentation and user manual.

The ipcas Floppy Emulator V3 operates with file system-independent disk images.
Which file system is contained in the image is practically irrelevant.
The console application FEI-Tool allows the access to files on a ipcas Floppy-Emulator image. The tool is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Handling with console applications allows easy automation of workflows, eg using a batch or shell script.

In daily use, a console application under Windows is not always practical.

Now, there is a graphical user interface for the ipcas Floppy Emulator V3 FEI-Tool. With the program FEI-Tool GUI, the console application FEI-Tool can be used by mouse click.

The FEI-Tool GUI is included in the USB-Stick Software Pack and can be downloaded at product page or in the support area.

Guest Post from a satisfied customer of Southern Germany:
(Translated, original post in german language >>)

Floppy Disk Drive retrofitting: USB Floppy Emulator for KETRON SD 5 In older keyboards – e.g. in my KETRON SD 5, the input device is a floppy drive und the internal RAM memory is supplied with information by a floppy disk. I would never replace my KETRON SD 5 with a modern keyboard however; the reason is the good quality.

With the IPCAS USB floppy emulator for USB pen drives, the known disadvantages …

• Sensitive to mechanical wear and tear
• Problems with dust, oil and other adverse environmental conditions
• Malfunction due to permanent mechanical load
• Low memory capacity

… of conventional floppy disks, which anyway are hardly to buy, can be totally attributed to the past.

Most salient features:

• The old floppy disk drive is replaced 1:1. The connections are identical, so no further changes have to be made.
• The USB Stick at the USB Floppy Emulator replaces the old diskette entirely. USB memory components have long life spans and high capacities.
• The new USB floppy drives and USB memory components are practically immune to impacts from magnetic fields, dust or shock.
• The contents on 100 floppies can easily be placed on one single USB Stick. That saves a lot of time and costs!

To replace the equipment I’m proceeds as follows:

1. Opening the keyboard (screws located on the bottom)
2. Slide back the panel of the keyboard
3. Removal of the floppy disk drive (FDD)
4. Detach of the data cable from the floppy drive controller
5. Inserting a floppy controller computer cable to the floppy connector
6. Connect this cable and the power supply cable (4-pin.) to the emulator.

Now the keyboard will switch on and the floppy drive (with inserted USB flash drive) are energize and the keyboard reports: not formatted.
After that, the format command must be executed according to the display information.
Then the emulator should set to 01 (with the Up button). The UP switching and formatting and will resist until 99.

If the formatting performs, you play the songs on the respective place (00-99), then – start playing – as usual.
When the formatting is completed, copy the songs on the respective place (00-99). Afterwards, as usual, start the playback.

More information on the ipcas UBS Floppy Emulator solutions >>

Data Sheet / Manual The manual and datasheet of the Floppy Emulator V3 have been improved. Now both are available for download in the support area and on the product page.

FEI-Tool (Floppy Emulator Image Tool)

For access to floppy emulator images on PC/Mac, the FEI-Tool is required.

In order to achieve maximum operating system compatibility, now the Floppy Emulator Image Tool (FEI-Tool) is available for all major operating systems: Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
The console application FEI-Tool allows access to files in a Floppy Emulator Image (FEI) as created or changed by the ipcas Floppy Emulator V3.
The Floppy Emulator V3 itself works operating system independent.
In addition there is a Pre-Formatted 1.44 MB DOS Floppy-Image in the support area.

Floppy Emulator V3 product page >>
Floppy Emulator V3 – Support and Downlaod area >>

The ipcas FloppyEmulator V3 supports nearly all disk formats. Also special Formats like CP/M, DEC Rainbow, extended DOS or Stäubli JC3/4/5 are supported.
The parameterization and configuration is complete without jumper.

More information about the FloppyEmulator V3 >>

Today and tomorrow, we would be happy to see you and give you a live display of our produce. Visit us at embedded world 2011, Stand 129 in Hall 9 in the Nuremberg Trade Fair Center (Nürnberg Messe).

Summary of our product range:

Embedded Systems / Industrial PC LB3

Ethernet and USB I/O Extension

USB-Input-Device with temperature sensor

Floppy Disk Drive (FDD) Emulators

Visit us today and tomorrow, Nuremberg Trade Fair Center (Messezentrum Nürnberg)