Time for a purpose built motion control computer.

[John S]

It's not that easy and at the level we are at i.e. maximum of three pound seventeen and sixpence per week on machines, we are stuck here.

If this wasn't the case we would all be spending £25,000 on a new Haas TM1.

Classic example and it's been mentioned by i2i are the XML files, these are standard XML files that 'should' be read by any computer but they are not. We ship an XML file out for the Sieg KX machines, in that file the pulse width is set to 5, checked, double checked and treble checked.

However once a punter loads this file onto his machine, whether custom, off the shelf or secondhand, he can be faced with a value of anything from 0 to 5.
Shouldn't happen but does. Haas, Fanuc, Hurco don't have this problem as the computer is part of the machine and setup at the factory.

Low end, because it's low end, it doesn't happen. Tormach will supply a computer setup to their machine if needed but we are now getting upwards of $10,000.

The setting up is a double edged lesson, on one hand you need to know everything on the first day, steep learning curve but if you are given it as in Haas, etc, any problems and you are back to them, tied by apron strings and cheque book. Once you can manage to get thru the minefield you are set for life.
I have a big 3 tonne CNC that has been refurbed over time and nothing on it other than a major casting fail cannot be sorted at home with an RS catalogue.

John S.

[GeoffV]

John

Thanks for you comments, you must spend half you life answering the same old questions over and over again about PC incompatability on the forums.

I do understand the desire to keep costs down so almost anyone can enjoy the benifits of CNC machining, but sales of these machines are going to continue expanding, the Trade will see to this for starters. This will necessitate you or the next volunteer spending more and more time answering the same old questions about computer problems.

All I am advocating is making available either finished or in kit form (whatever fits your budget) a computer which is designed from scatch for this application. At the very least you might get some of your life back with fewer questions to answer, and every body would benifit especially people like me with little inclination towards electronics. You never know, if the design is good it might even read pulse width as 5 every time.

I have to say I am a little disapponted that so far everyone who has replied, begrudgeingly accepts that PC's are far from ideal, but seem to imply we can't do anything about it. Well I'm sorry, I think we can do something about it and I don't believe it has to cost a fortune.

Geoff Vaizey