Re: CNC Control software recommendations

Alex:

Let me comment regarding Control Software, since I know nothing of the
industry. :-)

The use of open software may help any liability issues. It seems you can
protect the system from tampering as well as any proprietary one. The
advantage is in not developing the code, it is open source and, at least
originally, developed by the US government. Therefore the liability is
spread somewhat. As a machine mfg you can verify the code, with your
machines, as well as any you've written.

For this to work well, you will sell service rather than the controller.
You will make $ supplying a package of optimized controller and
hardware, and keeping your customers systems up to date and working
well. The effort of optimizing EMC for particular hardware is a large
task, particularly if tool changers, spindle speed control, coolant, etc
are involved. The effort to understand and/or duplicate this work will
create more loyalty than proprietary controller software.

As with linux, the advances of EMC as an open source package will
surpass what any one manufacturer will be able to achieve. Keeping your
controller code non-proprietary and contributing to the open source
version will assure a better product than your company could achieve
alone.

Who did you say you worked for?


--
Hugh Currin, PE
Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR
voice: 541/885-1649
fax: 541/885-1855