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

On Nov 4, 2007 7:41 PM, John Dammeyer <johnd@...> wrote:
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> Dennis,
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> OUCH!
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> > 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.
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> > Anyway thanks for the tongue in cheek, WOW.
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> > Dennis
> > http://www.super-tech.com
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> 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?
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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....
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> 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.
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> But for now I won't be a customer. Sorry.
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> John
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