Re[8]: emc really needs a copyleft cad/cam package

Terry,

Sound like a good start.
Re: # 3 (reposted below) Roll,pitch and yaw of Z are A,B, and C axis
motions. Do you intend this to be a 5 axis programming tool?!! If
so, you have increased your task by some orders of magnitude. IMO,
KISS (keep it simple) and get it DONE, then add this sort of
capability. There is however, something much more easily implememted
which will prove to be of value to large segments of the CNC
community...

What I feel is missing from the available "toolpath generators" is
functions relating to multiple LINEAR Z axes! (properly called W ,and
R) This is VERY common (2-4 heads typical) in plastic, aluminum, and
wood routers. NIST offers NO support for this type of "more than
three" axis configuration.

4. Are you sure you want the Autocad interface? Yes, there are a lot
of people familiar with it. (who also hate it,IMO. The "classic"
can't live with it, can't live without it feelings) Maybe look to USE
the abilities gained by PC's and learn something from Vector, and
other modern CAD/CAM re: ease of use.


5. Use BASIC. Viagrafix has used this for years with designcad.
Almost EVERYONE can immediately understand a "basic" BASIC program!
If you ARE going to "AutoCAD" this project, then you'll be using
LISP?? Glad to hear that java is not in the running!

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

'*******************************************************************
(below is reposted from TLR's orig)
3. greater than 3-axis:
a. hexapod capabilities.
b. vertical rotary table (y-z plane or x-z plane)
c. horizontal rotary table (x-y plane)
d. pitch, roll, yaw of z-axis.

4. familiar user interface
a. autocad like

5. Programming language

--
Terry L. Ridder