Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] re: Smart box / Dumb box

On Mon, 11 Dec 2000 02:35:57 -0000, you wrote:

>I disagree. The dynamic of this list is that many professionals give
>of their time and advice in ways that would never happen 'outside'.
>The actual parts cost of a 'smart box' is easily under $100.

The 'dumb box' parts would be more than that. Have you ordered any
custom made pc boards in small quantities lately? You're looking at $50
right there.

>It's the
>development cost, and its' necessary amortisation, which causes the
>commercial boxes to be so expensive. Also that the feature-itis
>necessary to stand-out in the hi-end competitive motion control
>market skews the price even further...
>
>We don't HAVE to play by ALL the same rules.
>
>Really?! I know of at least three 2 member teams who have completed
>this "project" in less than three months, with updates and
>improvements since...

Really?! Then why don't I just buy one of those? Have I missed something
here?

>
>Several years ago, a major player in the low-end CNC market told me
>that "the entire CNC market was only ever going to be about 500
>units/year!" It's laughable now, and it was to me then also, but he
>believed it!
>

So, it's what 2000, 10000? It's never going to get close to PC type
volume. A PC will always give us more bang for our buck than any special
purpose box.

>
>Again, true in the 'market' business model. And again, we can operate
>outside some of these constraints.

We can't escape the constraint that you have to spend real money to
develop real hardware. You can do open source software projects with
nothing but people's spare time. Someone has to put up money, in front,
to build hardware. They generally want some ROI. I don't expect Jon and
Mariss would be dumping their time and money into even a 'dumb box'
project without expecting some return. A 'smart box' would soak up much
more. Are we going to take up a collection here?

>Many of us are already giving our
>time freely to this forum. The box project is just a change of our
>focus. We are not starting from 'scratch', as Ron G and Carlos have
>pointed out. We have anumber of people who would use this for their
>own ends, both personal and commercial, I'd imagine.
>
>We are bringing a "hobby" mentality to a "commercial" endeavor. This
>is the kind of situation that causes airplanes to fly around the
>world unrefueled! (the voyager project was in NO way financially
>FEASIBLE, but it got done!) And a lot of EXPERTS gave their time and
>advice/skills to make it possible. IMO, There are a lot of 'Dilberts'
>who would like to be part of something REAL, and lasting... There
>are others who feel this may be the ONLY way they will ever get the
>kind of CNC they imagine...
>
>
>This is the thinking which will KILL the project! To do this so that
>WE ALL CAN BENEFIT, will require people to step forward, and do at
>least some PART of the total effort needed.

No, no, no, I don't want to kill anything, I want us to do something
that I can actually afford, and get it done sometime next year. I have a
hard time believing a 'smart box' project will ever get much past the
talking stage.

>
>Let's make this happen!

I agree 100%. I just have a little different 'this' in mind.

>
>Ballendo
>
>
>
>
>Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.
>
>Addresses:
>Post message: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com
>Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@egroups.com
>Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@egroups.com, wanliker@...
>Moderator: jmelson@... [Moderator]
>URL to this page: http://www.egroups.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
>FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>bill,
>List Manager
>