Re: re: CNC UI (V hj vs. conversational prgmmg)

From: ballendo@...

>Alan wrote:
>>Just took a look at ShopBot and examined the .sbp files. Don't know
>>from a brief look why they just didn't use gcode!
>>
>>JZ, .5
>>M2, 10, 5
>>MZ, -.5
>>
>> These are simple replacements for:
>>
>>G0 Z 0.5
>>G1 X 10.0 Y 5.0
>>G1 Z -0.5
>>
>>So you really just have the same thing. Reinvented the wheel. Is
>>that part of what you're after?
>
>No, I'm fine w/G code. But...
>
>It IS worth noting, that your "equivalent" uses 24 key strokes, while
>theirs uses 18! (adjusting for white space which is not required in
>either format) To do the same thing.
>
>That's a 25 % reduction!! In only 3 short codes. GOTTA be
>better "throughput" in the control. And ALL commands are 2 letters.
>More like a 3d HPGL.

However

G0 Z .5
G1 X 10. Y 5.
Z -.5

Runs okay on the EMC with 18 keystrokes. And it gets better if you add
more lines 'cause the g1 is modal. I wonder how much difference these
kinds of things affect the comprehension time of the control.

>>Maybe we just need to add a "machine control"
>>screen to Vector!
>>I understand that there is some DLL style connectivity coming up for
>>vector. Vector (or your favorite CAD) could then a "module" in your
>>machine control system. Once the gcode is in the NC window,
>>you "send" it to the "MILL CONTROLLER" window. Yeah, that's it.
>>Alan

<s>

>>BTW, Larry Kenny at Larken automation already has LCAM working this
>>way. Not in windows, but CAD/CAM/CNC integrated. Nice pkg.
>>
>>Also Dennis Bohlke with Supercam. I'd LOVE to have access to the
>>source code of Supercam... Hate the interface. Love the possibilities.

Roland Friestad did this for his control with a lisp script for autocad
several years ago.

Thanks for a good thread here.

Ray