Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] STEP-NC

Hi:

On StepNC, its seems simply a method of putting the usual CAM functions
into a library to be called in a different way. I haven't read deeply into
it, but I fail to see most of the benefits. "You can email a job and then
cut it"..G-Code can be emailed and then cut. "You save up to 50% in
planning" I suspect this is due simply to better CAM interfaces, and is
probably only true when you get good at using it. In the end, you have to
put out G-Code to drive a legacy machine, so I don't really see the
advantage. I guess what their saying is that Step CAM functions are better
than using Vector/Cam..MasterCam or whatever cam you presently use. Perhaps
a lower learning curve?
As to setting one up using C++ knowledge, what the web-site seems to say
is "buy and use our library of functions and you can do things quicker" I
didn't see the price listed, but the same was said for G-Code a few years
ago and that company wanted about $3000.00 for a dynamic C++ G-Code function
library. I wonder what a Dynamic Step/NC library would cost?
Personally, I wouldn't get too excited on this one yet . This sounds like
much the efforts put into ISO9xxx pushes. ISO sounds great until you get
into it, then you find its simply a private government sponsered company
making a fortune by pressing you into a mold of their vision. It can
straighten out a scxrewed up company, but screw up a well running one. I
suspect the same may be true trying to switch to Step/NC. Thousands of
companies are now ISO certified, but I notice the cost of doing business
with them has INCREASED over time, not decreased. I doubt you'll see a
low-cost Step/NC software at any time in the near future.

At any rate, for the person who suggested we have enough C++ knowledge to
set something up, writing a G-Code controller is a bitch at the "hobby"
level, I can't even imagine the hours required for Step/NC from a
programmers perspective.

Just my 2 cents. (And thats a Canadian 2 cents, it's only worth 1 cent in
US) :)
Art
ArtSoft CNC Software Company
http://users.andara.com/~fenerty/master.htm