RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: CAM Software Advice for Shopmaster CNC

Dennis,

OUCH!

> Price and values are subject to your own personal judgements. For
> me, I can't see how I can sustain a business that offers product
> support and price it any less. If it's not worth it to you don't buy
> it. You seem to be snivelling to me.
>
> Anyway thanks for the tongue in cheek, WOW.
>
> Dennis
> http://www.super-tech.com

Usually when someone gets personal I just shrug it off that as a
demonstration that I've won the debate. To me it's certainly indicative
of the type of support I suspect I'd get if I have a problem. Perhaps
then I'd also be told I'm 'snivelling' if the problem can't be solved?

Far be it from me to comment on what price something should sell at to
create a sustainable business since I have no idea of the overhead or
R&D costs. At first glance your application looks like it may be
useful. Couldn't find the 30 day money back offer though but perhaps
it's in the fine print somewhere. However your idea is sound and has a
lot of potential.

For me whipping up a processor and an FTDI USB module isn't all that
tough. There have been discussions on the MACH site (and with Art
directly) about how to take his MACH control commands out through the
USB port to do away with the need for a parallel port. A company in
Holland has also done something similar. Having the application USB
asynchronously supply the step/dir information that is then clocked out
synchronously by the USB hardware module is the right way to do this
sort of thing IMHO. It makes the PC side of the software the important
part!!! In fact, at that point it doesn't have to be USB but can be
Ethernet or CAN or some other protocol.

If I could make a constructive suggestion though. Publish your USB
interface and let the market build your dongle. Then work with Art to
have him add a driver to MACH3 to supply the appropriate step/dir
information out to the dongle and read back the limit switches etc.
along with controlling the other I/O. If your application really is
novel and allows quick and dirty CNC control without G-Codes then you'll
do well and the CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO market will have another winner! It's
been a while so I don't know the status but it may be that the MACH USB
to step/dir interface has already been published. Someone was building
that hardware....

Just think. Depending on which application your customers run, they
can do MACH3 CNC or your SuperCAM without unplugging dongles, rewiring
limit switches, Estops, Plasma relays, Control to VFDs etc. And because
the dongles will then already exist for systems out there on a MACH3
system, you can offer trial systems that are feature limited and sell
full blown ones to satisfied users.

But for now I won't be a customer. Sorry.

John