Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] windows or dos based NC software

James:

That was once true. But if Windows is off doing its thing, the table
couldn't move, no steps could be put out. In any event, Windows can be
controlled much like dos these days with little difference, if any, in
stability. If someone want to use dos, there really can be only one reason,
speed. Dos is capable of somewhat higher step rates than Windows, but even
thats disappearing quickly. Generally, if you using an old machine like
200Mhz or less, DOS is a great choice, but if, like many new guys to the
hobby, your using a 750Mhz or faster machine with lots of power, it seems a
shame to choke it off with DOS. Indexer for Windows is a 100,000 step per
second controller and my Mach1 can do 25,000 steps per second. The
difference is not only in the GUI, its also in the capabilities. You can
display much more information in Windows and do much better in the users
ability to control the machine. Windows is definitely the future of CNC. As
the G2002 comes online, I think DOS will be relegated to the scrap heap of
CNC as it will offer no real advantage, other than bad graphics and poor
interfaces.


(This is , of course, a self-interested diatribe) :)

IMO
Art
www.artofcnc.ca