IndexerLPT vs. Mach2 was Flashcut and Mach2 was Re: Bridgeport CNC...

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, ballendo@y... wrote:

> I have 2 seats of indexerLPT...
>
> One with the HAM-Hardware Assist Module-(WIN ver), the other without
> (DOS ver).

I must have got mine in between your two versions. I think it Version
3, TSR backend and the Windows V3 Hpgl Front. No HAM, No Turkey,,,,

At the time I was having to deal with a few really annoying "program
zero" issues, of which Art acknowledged existed and would be fixed.
When they finally were, I could no longer use my existing backend or
front end and would have had to bought both to upgrade. The amount was
a little steep I thought in that I also really wanted to get out of
hpgl, and at that time, only Production Automation Tech had a DOS
G-code front for $500. Having used Arts Windows Front, I was not going
back to DOS for any reason. Already was using Ahha, and MicroK on
other machines,,, then Flashcut came out. After a Retro on a machine
at the shop, I was sold. Nothing else at the time came close at all
(for my needs).

I searched High and Low for a copy (legal of course) of that Crawford
Millworks software but could not find any. (I had an old Digital
6'x10' router at the shop and anything would have been better) Your
the ONLY guy I ever heard of that still has it. A found a few who
thought they still had it but tossed it over the years.

If that software is truly Defunct, I'd be curious if it has become
somewhat Free or sellable or ? if it could be shared or not. I find
absolutely no record of it's existence on-line, and it must be almost
15 or so years old ??

Anyone want to sell their copy reasonably.... drop me a line.

>I don't have the new Gcode front end > Ability sys offers.

I think it mirrors the old Hpgl look and feel.
Tom Mitslaff, Builder of the CadCut has posted a Nice review on the
new G-code front end over in CNCZone. He really likes it so far, but
has not used anything else before......

> Here's what I can say. IX runs better on a slower machine than M5, M1
> or M2. IX does NOT have backlash compensation, AT ALL. (When asked,
> Art Volta, the developer of IX, said, just use ballscrews. Machines
> shouldn't have backlash.)

Ya, I Recall :-) I agree with that fully. One other limitation was X
and Y had to have the same ratios.

I know on an old 486 I ran, it was very smooth. Seems he really knew
something about motion, "indexer" or not, it worked out very well and
I could never figure out why others didn't offer a really good windows
g-code front for it all along.

> If we're JUST talking CVV, I have to give the nod to M2, having used
> both.

Thats what I was wondering. Sounds like ArtF knows his stuff too.

> (Implementing the Queue of IX can be a PITA for continuous motion
> like found in a 3d mold. For toolpaths with frequent "breaks", it's
> easy.)

I am pretty sure that issue is either non-existant anymore, or it
takes like 2billion lines of code before it needs a reload......

>
> Interestingly, BOTH IX and M2 use device driver level "engines" which
> CAN be accessed directly. So with EITHER program you can create your
> own front end(GUI).

Well, I hope someone does that soon... I might get more motivated to
wire it up and use it then. I did buy it to contribute towards
development. I realize he is doing a bang up job.

>Volta gets the win over Fenerty, for CNC relatedness, but ArtofCNC

beats Ability sys...<G>)

AV has always been a great help, no doubt. Good Guy. AF seems to be an
incredible programmer.... When he catches up to everyones whim, I hope
he can go back and get those little issues like manuals and stuff
polished, and maybe that interface. I know you can make your own, but
the stuff available still reminds me of kiddie crayons (at least the
last time I looked - I should look again)

Makes you wish these two worked together on CNC 10-15 years ago ! We'd
be way farther than we are now.... Oops, we would need to have Marriss
in that mix too.

Thanks for the comparisons!
Chris L