Re: CNC Controler Software

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "archie5594"
<joseph.a1.jones@l...> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I've got a question. I'm currently investigating which controller
> software to use. Right now I've been trying out TurboCNC. So far

I

> like it just fine. However, I've noticed some software, like
> FlashCut, requires a 'Signal Generator'. Why would someone need a
> signal generator? I know it generates step and direction signals,
> but can't the software do this also. I've read that the signal
> generators offer true real-time signals, but again, what's the
> benifit of that. What really got me going was the price tag for
> FlashCut. I can see that the software is loaded with features, and
> has a very nice interface, but is the signal generator what really
> bring so much to the table? (i.e. $1095 price tag!)
>
> Thanks,
> Archie

The debate rages on. Truth of the matter is that few of us in the
hobby CNC space have machines that travel at high speeds or possess
the accuracy to see a difference (howl of protest from the list!).
The MACH2 software for WIN2000 and XP is a pretty good alternative
for the person that wants to spend 150 bucks for everything on the
controller software side. Art has found a way to make the reluctant
Windows OS do things it doesn't want to do out of the box. We just
went though weeks of testing a new release that is aimed at
stabalizing the pulse rate for problem machines. The older version
worked fine on most machines.

The external signal generator has it's pro's and cons. On the pro
side the software needs a lot less overhead from the processor and
the pulse stream can be dead on. The con is that you then are tied
to that specific vendor's software/hardware package and can't change
either.

For a combo hardware/software package the DeskCNC solution looks like
the most cost effective. For applications that will run with 45Khz
or slower pulse rates (especially the step to servo units like the
Gecko 340) the thousand (approx) users of MACH2 have found that to be
the right solution.

Go to www.artofcnc.ca and download a free copy. It's limited to 1000
lines of code but not to time. Load and play with it. Go to the
MACH1MACH2CNC list and read about the software and follow the guys as
they use it and download the manual off the website.

Then there is EMC and LINUX.

In the end you just need to try things out and see what will work
best for you. This is almost a "religious" debate about which is
best; opinions are abundant and strongly held.

I see a lot of guys that start worrying about software before they
tighten the first bolt in a machine. It's like trying to determine
all of the cutting tools you will need prior to having a machine.
There is an abundance of solutions and your choice will be based on
different criteria after you get an actual working machine.

I see a lot of posts where this hobby is "overwhelming" with all of
the things you have to learn. The good news is that you don't have
to swallow everything at once and we are here to help spoon feed the
new guys. We all started out new at some point.