Re: Hobby vs commercial, was RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Flashcut

Jerry,

Very good points. Matt Shaver posted a similar break down a year or so ago
except his had 3 levels. We also have to remember that this group is
dedicated to the hobby approach. That is not to say we will not help the
commercial guy when it is on topic, but that is the exception not the rule.
Knowing what a persons expectation for the system and how they are
approaching it can make a big difference in the suggestions I would give
them.

Tim
[Denver, CO]
Sherline at Deep Discounts
www.KTMarketing.com/Sherline

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol & Jerry Jankura" <jerry.jankura@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 6:54 AM
Subject: Hobby vs commercial, was RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Flashcut


> It's interesting that this topic is slowly (or not so slowly) attempting
to
> define the difference between a commercial or hobby application.
>
> As I see it -
>
> Commercial Application
> 1. Generally, the user has little time to develop and test
> 2. Generally, the user is willing to spend the bucks for a turn-key
> application
> 3. Generally, the machines in question are 'full sized' as opposed to
> desktop
> 4. Generally, the systems are purchased with fifty-cent dollars (tax
> advantages) at no sales tax, so asking price isn't actual price.
> 5. Generally, the user doesn't want to be bothered putting kits together.
> 6. Generally, the user wants support that most part-time vendors are
unable
> to supply
> 7. Generally, the user wants a 'set it and forget it' system. Once
working,
> it's not changed!
>
> Hobby Application
> 1. Often, Computers & CNC become as large a hobby as making parts
> 2. Often, the user has more time than money
> 3. Often, there's no business income to offset for tax purposes.
> 4. A minority of this class have large enough incomes to afford the
> commercially oriented systems
> 5. Generally, the user is willing to live with slower internet based
support
> as a tradeoff for lower overall costs.
> 6. Trying out several different G-Code interpreters often becomes part of
> the hobby.
>
> Before you ask questions of the group, it may be useful to stop and ask
> yourself where YOU fit into the equation, and share this information so
our
> recommendations are applicable to your situation. Also, tell us what your
> experience level is. My EE and computer background made adding CNC to my
> Sherline tools a snap. It might not have been quite as easy had I a
> different background.
>
> When I was employed, I routinely used Computmotor products that cost about
> $10,000 for three axes. These systems were for projects that had to run in
> an 24x7 environment. Now retired, I'm looking at the other end of the
scale
> and am using Camtronics kits and am enjoying tinkering with the software.
>
> And, remember, DOS is not dead and Windows is not junk. Both have their
> place, as does Linux. Right now, I'm seeing the hobby market moving to a
> Windows based front end with some kind of a real-time back end on a
> different processor to actually drive the machine. I'd not be surprised to
> see DOS sitting on that machine, possibly in a ROM. And, once these
> configurations become 'normal,' I'd expect to see someone start
integrating
> the CRT back into the controller, but this time, the computer will be
> optimized for the factory and not for the office as the ones we're all
using
> now are.
>
> A final thought... Please note that I've used 'generally' and 'often' in
the
> descriptions, as there are exceptions to any category.
>
> -- Jerry
>
>
> |hi
> |
> |true, but i need a stable, "commercial", and supported system today...
> |for myself, as a hobbyist, i would definitely use m1, m5, ya, dak or
> |whatever.
>
>
>
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