Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Windows and black boxes

Ron, I have heard your opinion this before and should have asked you a few
questions about it.

I am curious what one would typically do, IF, FlashCut did tell individuals
exactly what propriety code was being sent from the Computer to the Box ?

Is this simply to allow one to create your own custom GUI ? Thats what I'm
thinking you'd like to do.

Don't we all like to put "buttons" and "features" where WE want ! Seems
getting GUI changes are sometimes the hardest.

I suspect that even knowing this "Code", One would still be limited to
whatever capability the electronics IN the black box are capable of. In other
words you really could not Add Functions, just call them up in different
ways.
Now, I wonder if Flashcut did reveal the proprietary language, but still
charged for the black box, if anyone would buy it anyhow ? It would probably
not be an inexpensive part of the overall picture.

I think it is real clear why a company won't reveal a code like in this case.
They need to get paid ! And deserve to get paid for what they have done. This
goes for all of the contributers to this market. They all set their price
structure, they all I'm sure ask themselves how important it is to protect
their investment in development time. If they have families that work for
them, they are likely concerned that they can deliver a paycheck to them each
week. I'm glad my boss is concerned over such things !

I have a pretty good respect for that. I wouldn't give out "freely"
everything I worked hard to develop.....
Thus, In the case of FC, the box "acts" as a dongle. No Box ? No Worky. The
Software itself as a Demo, is full blown. Nothing missing in it. One just
needs the Black box to really use it.

I am sure if a company with those techniques was approached by someone in
need of just the hardware aspect, it could be had. It comes down to how much
it is worth to those on each side of the deal.

Reverse engineering *can* be regarded as theft. So people need to be careful,
not that it has never happened before.

I am maybe a bit "green" in regards understanding the heavy machine market.
Which companies make "freely" available the Proprietary Code end of their
machines, and what do people do with it ? I thought G-code in one end - and a
machine moves accordingly was about the most important part.

Thanks,
Chris L



ron ginger wrote:

> Since the subject of Windows, Dos and black boxes is back I will again
> add my support to the black box. It seems clear to me that to use a
> dedicated piece of hardware to implement the real time functions is an
> almost 'no brainer' Its done througout the computer world- you prototype
> something in software, then when the volume gets there you embed it into
> chips to make it cheap and reliable. Why should step and direction pulse
> generation be different?
>
> BUT, I dislike the closed nature of Flashcut- why are they unwilling to
> open their communication protocol? Would you buy a CNC machine that used
> a properitary code, that they wouldnt tell you?
>
> I have some differnet ideas on programming, for a different user than
> the normal big CNC machine, and Id like to play with interfaces. Windows
> is great for human interface, GUI stuff. I use it, and let the hardware
> do the fast timing stuff.
>
> ron ginger
> beating an old drum!
>
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