Re: CNC Pro or VectorCam ????

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Carol & Jerry Jankura"
<jerry.jankura@s...> wrote:

> Fred -
>
> I was thinking software, not hardware! Like providing step and

direction

> signals, which would cover quite a few of the commercially available
> controllers. I think that it'd be difficult to compete with some of

the

> hardware that's already available.

I think it would be hard to compete with EMC, which is free. ;-)

What you are suggesting is the hardest part of the CNC support
cycle. The hardware vendors won't support the hardware other than to
swap out the boards/modules if they don't work. The software guys
are the only ones to hold your hand if it gets wired wrong, you don't
understand G92, cutter comp doesn't work, etc. That's why the
commercial retrofit packages cost as much as they do. They have
support personnel they pay, at least technician level people, maybe
even engineering level in some cases, they pay to take phone calls &
help/train/troubleshoot whatever it takes to get the inexperienced,
untrained, "ready to throw in the towel" customer running and
smiling. Well at least running.

There are 3 or 4 companies in this business that do a very good job
and charge accordingly. If you know what you are doing and have
electrical and electronic background, then you may not need the
support. Without it, you will have to rely on your friends (here) to
help you when you get stumped. It may save you some money, but in
the long run if you really want to make parts and not play with the
control system, you will probably be happier with the supported route.

Since I'm a parts guy and not a soldering iron guy, I tend to work on
what I call the more "practical" aspect of this hobby, rather than
the "theoretical". That means that I concentrate on methods and
manufacturing processes, rather than on control systems and PCB
design. That's what interests me the most, not necessarily what I am
trained to do.

Therefore we work on advancing the availability and quality of low
cost Cad-Cam to allow better and cheaper processing, rather than on
new controllers and drivers and control loops and all that "junk" ;-)

Along that line, Stlwork2 is just about done with beta testing and if
you have heard a rumor that we have released a new, low cost, raster
to vector conversion program , the rumor is false. It's not
released .... yet. ;-)


Best Regards,

Fred Smith
IMService