Re: CAM Software Advice for Shopmaster CNC

John

I thought you might feel a little pinch from those last couple
lines. Pardon me, I didn't feel like you were giving me a fair
shake, and you are one of my heroes. Thanks for clarifying your
analysis.

I have been following the E-LeadScrew group for quite some time now.

I have no doubt it would be an easy thing for you to whip up a
processor and a FTDI USB module. As a matter of fact I have often
wondered if you would entertain the idea of quoting the cost for you
to develop a board like that with the TMS320F2808 as the processor or
a similar 32-bit processor, with some electronic isolation and a
couple parallel port connects.

In a nutshell that's what the hardware will look like for the next
generation of CamPod's.

After all it was one of your postings that made me aware of the F28x
line of processors.

In regards to your suggestion to publish the USB interface, it just
doesn't make sense to me right now. I can only speculate but I
venture to say that 99.9% of the machines running with Mach3 are
using a parallel port.

It can't get any easier to upgrade to SuperCamXp with the CamPod
configured properly, which I do without charge. You just plug the
parallel port cable from the controller into the CamPod and USB cable
from PC to the CamPod. Verify the configuration settings, like do
the motors spin in the right directions, and it's ready to go.

For most is takes about 30 minutes to get a handle on how to use it.
It works as advertised so product support is easy for me.

You make a good point to put the 30-day money back guarantee on the
web site. It will happen.

I have started a forum on CNCzone.com for questions that may be
considered off topic for his thread or group.

Best Regards

Dennis
http://www.super-tech.com

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, John Dammeyer <johnd@...>
wrote:

>
> 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
>