Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] EMC ..... LINUX...What's it all about???

Outside looking in... I always wondered about the Linux operating system
and what it could do for me, but I'm not an engineer, not even close! So
my question to you is, what could you suggest for one who wants to learn
more about linux? Also can you tell us more about the EMC, does one need
to know how to write code to use it? I heard a lot about it though this
group, but haven't a clue on what it is all about....

RC

----- Original Message -----
From: bsptrades <bspunkar@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 1:54 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Reasons for using EMC


> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "mart_wid" <vwa1244302@a...> wrote:
> > I'd be interested to hear peoples reasons for using EMC rather than
> > the likes of TurboCNC etc. It does seem to be difficult to setup
> and
> > get running reliably. If you design on the computer you cut with,
> it
> > also restricts the choice of CadCam programs unless you opt for a
> > dual-boot system.
> >
> > Thanks, Martin.
>
>
> Why EMC you say. This question really depends on where your
> interests are with the CNC and purpose.
>
> People who like Linux and and applications such as EMC are often
> folks like myself. I have been a simulation engineer for years. Just
> recently through a machinist friend have I been turned on to the CNC
> world. I'm looking to apply the experience in control systems to make
> machines and build cool stuff, wind mills, circuit boards , plasma
> cutter. Since I'm a tinkerer building the machine is half the fun
> besides the cash flow is limited.
>
> In general Engineering folks have always worked with UNIX or work
> stations , main frames, embeded processes. Micro squish to this day
> can't manage to produce a simple stable operating system for real-
> world applications, they are more interested in the mass netcentric
> consumer market. Just look at the age of some of the equipment in use
> out there. In our world aircraft are not obsolete in 3 years some of
> the equipment has been in service for 30 years and must be supported
> along the way. In similar fashion I can't expect expect someone to
> update the CNC machine control every 3 years just because I won't
> support the OS anylonger.
>
> Linux is a true multi task operating system, the real-time kernel is
> a very powerful extension when not over loaded. If you don't try too
> hard to make Linux act like Windoz it is very stable and powerful.
> You can support a wide range of processors and tasks that a bloated
> windoz box won't even load.
>
> In short Linux is a true operating system complete with a hoste of
> tools in an environment most engineering types are comfortable with.
> It's free and open source so you can build real code , modify things
> as desired and make it portable across many platforms. Windoz does
> not even come with a friggen compiler!, they change the dang core
> every 3 years making low level tasks such as machine control a total
> pain. Support sucks and you can't get the source so if it crashes you
> get the blue window of death and try another box arghh. This is why
> so many controls still use DOS. the OS is not in the way.
>
> The down side is if you are not a Linux/UNIX user there is a
> learning curve and somewhat a basic understanding of machine
> operation, task scheduling and OS structure that is not familiar.
> Windoz tries very hard to hide the operational aspects of the OS from
> the average user so many PC users find the introduction to Linux a
> bit complex. Like anything the more control you have the more you
> need to learn. This is where folks like REDHAT and the EMC BDI come
> in. These allow a beginning user the potential to get working early
> in the learning curve but there remains a good learning cure to get
> efficient and comfortable.
>
> EMC in particular seems to be a very powerful program and great
> baseline for building an application on. The daunting task is, to be
> flexible and powerful it has many many options. There are a lot of
> folks who may not even know what a servo is yet, so grasping the
> process of tuning a servo control loop can be quite a process to
> start on.
>
> I myself am working on both EMC and turboCNC. The DOS program is
> great, small and simple so it was easy to get up and running on cheap
> equipment. I had the small lathe wizzing plastic crumbs out in a day
> with turboCNC. You can even boot off a floppy if you want. For a
> small machine and someone like myself who is not a machinist this is
> cool.
>
> Now when I have improved to where I know what I want and can define
> it I may interface that in EMC. Things like network download,
> network monitoring , auxilary control pannel , cutter back plotting
> would be easier for me to do under EMC and Linux likely.
>
> If you really have little interest in the how it works but want to
> learn to make parts the familiar windows/DOS programs are a good
> choice. If you want to build machines and make them do what you want
> or really want power you will eventually want source code to tweek or
> at minimum a program with great support that will accomodate user
> input.
>
> My opinion anyhow.
>
> Brian Punkar
> BSP
>
>
> Addresses:
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>
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