Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] EMC, Was Re: CAD experiment entry

timgoldstein wrote:

> Comments and questions intermixed with your post below.
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson<elson@...> wrote:
> --SNIP----
>
>> Yes, the "live CD" will operate a real machine, although you can't
>> easily save the setup file after configuring it for your machine.
>> There is a "sim" version that allows you to try the GUI, etc. without
>> needing a real-time OS.
>>
> Jon, can you post a link to where someone would go to get the Live CD so they can try EMC?
>

<http://www.linuxcnc.org> is the place to start out. There's a link to
the liveCD on the left hand side. The first 5 links in the text tell
you what it is, how to get it, how to configure it, how to run it, and
where to get help.

> Also, where is the best place on the net to go to ask questions and get help with the learning curve to get started.
>

There are two mailing lists (one for development-related questions, one
for usage and installation questions), two IRC channels (development or
usage), a wiki at <http://wiki.linucnc.org>, and a forum (not as heavily
inhabited by the core developers).

> Not trying to move this EMC discussion off the list. I think it is appropriate for CCED to be a forum to discuss various product in a neutral environment. But if someone really wants to get started or learn the real in depth details, I am guessing that there are already groups supporting it.
>

Several :)

> [snip]
>> Most Mach
>> development seems to be in the are of screen sets, who the hell CARES?
>>
> Jon, I agree with you on this one. As I said before I have used EMC previously and was pretty active with it. Wrote an installer script for the first version many years ago. I actually like the clean lean industrial controller approach that EMC uses. Definitely more in line with what I am now used to on my Haas machines.
>
> But, I talked to Art about it once. Not sure if he would admit to it in public, but what he told me was every time he added a button or widget to the screen he sold more licenses.
>
> So here again, I think we have the industrial single purpose approach that EMC followed as it was intened as industrial grade harware and the hobbyist approach where turning your controller into a swiss army knife style widget is seen as desirable.
>
> DIfferent strokes, but for the machine I have Mach on I wish it had an industrial/EMC style lean and mean interface.
>

EMC has some bells/whistles interfaces, as well as both graphical "bare
metal" and text-only ones. There are a couple of different
"screen-set-like" additions in development, so you can even add flashy
lights if you really want to.

>> Most of the EMC2 development has been in extending the machining
>> capabilities. Oh, also EMC2 supports rigid tapping, which I now use in
>> production here. That alone is totally COOL, when you are drilling and
>> tapping MANY holes. I get these combined drill-taps, so I can spot,
>> drill and tap in one operation.
>>
> I agree rigid tapping is not only cool, it is amazing. On the Haas we tap 10-32 holes using a roll tap (thread forming tap, no chips) at 1000 RPM in and out. Rigid tapping alone would be a good reason to look at EMC.
>

Lathe threading with true spindle feedback (or single/several pulse
feedback) is also nice. CSS (constant surface speed) and FPR (feed per
revolution) also use whatever spindle feedback you have.

>> The license cost of Mach is totally insignificant. Just buy some
>> toolholders for a mill or something.
>>
> Spoken like a true commercial guy. Productivity and reliablity are all far more important to me than the up front cost. But to the hobbyist, the $150 (at least what it was when I used to sell licenses) for a Mach license can be something that holds them back.
>

For a hobbyist, the ability to literally take an old P3 computer out of
a dumpster and use it can also be significant. Personally, I'd put that
$150 in license costs toward a Pico or Mesa hardware assist device -
that gives me a better control at around the same cost.

>> I just won't feel confident with a stepper
>> driven metal-cutting machine.
>>
> I have to disagree on this. I have full closed loop servo machines, open loop servo machine, and stepper machines. They all work and make fine parts. Different capacity and performance, but all capable of making a to tolerance piece.
>
> But I do agress that the closed loop servo is higher performance and can be run faster. Being a guy, faster and higher performance is always something I would prefer<g>.
>
> Jon, can you also post a link to where someone can get more details and pricing on your products for servos?
>

The wiki lists a lot of the hardware that can be used:
<http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?EMC2_Supported_Hardware>

- Steve