Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Whither goest DOS?

ccs@... wrote:

> Assuming that a windows machine can be a reliable cnc controller
> without hardware assistance. If hardware assistance is required, then
> it suggests using the windows machine as a user interface to motion
> control running on a minimal dos box.

Really, two points here based on two possible control options....

1. I have been running FlashCut now for close to 5 years. I have it personally on 3
machines, and have retro'd it on others. Flashcut does use a fashion of hardware
support: The "black box". The Black box is a signal generator that handles the
pulse timing taking the burden off of the main processor. Thus it also acts as a
"dongle" ! Why is hardware assistance that big of an issue. WinDeskNC has clearly
shown that it does not make the cost of a control out of reach.......

In those 5 years, not once has any of my machines done anything that would resemble
a "Crash" as we would correlate Crashes with MS Windows. Rule 1..... Keep the PC as
simple as possible. It is NOT a place for MSN Chat, and the latest Copy of "Miami
Racing". I have however, had computers with more than necessary, and they too have
run Flashcut flawlessly.

2. Windows with "underlying" DOS level controller. Indexer LPT as it is a TSR
program that outputs signals. It is only the windows interface that it used to Send
the signals to the TSR. As I understand it, it does this communication in one shot,
not feeding anything a little at a time. This might be a reason why Indexers motion
seems very complete. Smooth, Fast, organized... and all that. I am not sure I can
say that the current Windows COntrols could run near as smoothly as Indexer.

I do think though, that when FlashCut releases their new 32 bit version, it will be
a whole lot different in regards "look ahead" and plain old smoothness than it is
currently. So the underlying DOS may be considered the "old" way at some point.

> Which windows control? How well does it really work? If I understand
> the web page, master 5 is still not hard realtime, in that windows
> can still preempt it, but maybe I misunderstand.

Realtime... or Hardtime ? Well, I am not sure about Master 5. I watch its progress
with great enthusiasm. The only thing we here for real problems is the occasional
hiccup with hardware compatibility. I can only Imagine what kind of challenge it
would be to assure operation of such a concept on ALL hardware available. From what
I know, Hardware issues may be exactly why a "Black Box" proves to be a safer
business venture. I have heard that when you have a computer it likes, it works
very well.

FlashCut is Realtime as far as I am concerned. I hit the start button and it runs
right then and now, Not tomorrow ! It updates all positions continuously. I would
not refer to it as "Hardtime" though in that I can communicate via ethernet while
cutting for file transfers and whatnot. Reliable ? Absolutely.

Indexer, because it is an Underlying control only updates position on screen when
it is stopped. That's not necessarily bad at all, what satisfaction is there in
watching numbers go up and down ? All I care is that the machine is running, doing
exactly what it is supposed to do. I forget if I was able to communicate while
underway with Indexer. I would think it is less likely because the processor is
doing all the calculations. Incidentally, Indexer never gave me any real problems
because it was on a Windows computer either.

> Interesting Market to watch.

Chris L