NIST EMC Software

This is directed to Jon Elson, who is using the Nist EMC CNC package, but
should be of interest to all.

Jon,

Will you, theoretically, be able to sync the spindle of your mill to the
Z-axis? Thread milling and lathe conversions are what I am interested in
on this subject.

My next question is to Dan Mauch:

Dan ,

Have you looked at the Nist EMC package? They now have a step and
direction version that would work with the servo system that you have (it
takes step and direction pulses for input).

My last question is to the group:

Who on the list is using the Nist EMC package?

My interest in the package is this: I have used Dancam , Stepster, and now
Maxnc software to control my small milling machines. These packages are
fine for the price, but the Nist package is free and looks very powerful.
It seems to take most G-codes that I am familiar with - many more than
Maxnc and Stepster. The source code is available for the programmers in
the group. It runs in RT Linux, which I am told is good (I am a newby to
Linux). Fred Proctor and the Nist group seem to be pretty quick to fix
bugs and add features. It seems like you can run it via network, with
another machine running the GUI, while the controller can run on another
machine- so that you could use Windows or Xwindows to make it look good to
the user. I am just speculating on some of this, (since I have yet to set
it up, but will try this week). I would like to start a discussion on it here.

Thanks,

Dan