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Flashcut
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Hi JS,
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What so great about flashcut I hear good things about it but never really understands what sets it apart from other controller like mach1 or deskwinnc. Have fun Hugo --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Jens Swales" <jipeess2000@y...> wrote:
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John Guenther
$900.00
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-----Original Message----- |
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It does seem that users of Flashcut rave about it. I also have not quite
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understood what it has that makes it worth so much more than other controllers and drives that give the same or more features and more capacity for much less. Then again I always rave about things I send a lot of money on. Maybe that is the attraction? Tim [Denver CO] -----Original Message----- |
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Matt Shaver
On Sunday 03 November 2002 07:12 pm, you wrote:
It does seem that users of Flashcut rave about it. I also have not quiteI think you have it figured out... It's expensive, it must be good! Matt |
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Depends what you mean by "like Flashcut". If you mean a windows based
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controller than look at Mach1 or DeskWinNC. If you mean a turn key system than we need to know what type/size machine to give you some ideas. If it is for a Sherline sized machine than take a look at the package that Dan at Camtronics is offering. $500 for a turn key 2.5 amp 3 axis controller. Add $300 for 3 motors and $100 for a Mach1/Master5 license and you have a complete system for $900 that will run with the best of them. Tim [Denver, CO] -----Original Message-----I consider this to be aMatt & others; sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list. NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING THEM. DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........ bill List Mom List Owner |
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hi all
well, i build special routers for small and medium stoneworking- companys, and most(none) of the users doesnt know anything about cnc. normaly, they give me 1-3 days for training and then expects to be "pro" ;-) however, most of them really fixes it,not very complicated stuff, cutouts and engravings, still, good enough for them. i found fc to have some handy features that makes it possible to place "any" guy at the machine and get the job done. i even let them choose from a number of controlers and found that they all prefer fc. i dont belive expensive=good. really, the price is peanuts for a functional, stable, commercial, supported(blink,blink YA), and clean interfaced controler for us oem?s. still, i think some "hobby-level" controlers soon may be stable enough for oem?s as well, like mach1, wich i know the author puts a lot of efforts in. JS |
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Owen Lloyd
Hey Tim. I am going to be retro'n my bench top unit. As you can tell by my
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misinformed posts, I'm still learning my way around. I have no preference for windows based or DOS, I've used both over the years and wouldn't know which is best [if there is even a difference.] Though I have a ton of questions I've been unable to locate answers for with my web searches. thanks for your help I'll check out the two you recomend. Owen ----- Original Message -----
Depends what you mean by "like Flashcut". If you mean a windows based |
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alex
There is a way to network Dos using Wattcp.
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Alex ----- Original Message -----
From: caudlet <tom@...> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 2:15 PM Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Flashcut --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Owen Lloyd" <sbw@c...> wrote:aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it ifHey Tim. I am going to be retro'n my bench top unit. As you cantell by mymisinformed posts, I'm still learning my way around. I have nopreferencefor windows based or DOS, I've used both over the years andwouldn't knowwhich is best [if there is even a difference.]Owen: Both DOS and Windows have plus's and minuses. Here are some you have trouble. sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list. DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........ bill |
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caudlet
--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Owen Lloyd" <sbw@c...> wrote:
Hey Tim. I am going to be retro'n my bench top unit. As you cantell by my misinformed posts, I'm still learning my way around. I have nopreference for windows based or DOS, I've used both over the years andwouldn't know which is best [if there is even a difference.]Owen: Both DOS and Windows have plus's and minuses. Here are some things to consider: DOS will run your machine with less computer horsepower and less initial expense. If all you ever want to do is load a file from floppy and make it cut, then DOS makes a good controller. Networking it to your Windows based CAD system is a challenge. Windows(98,2000,XP) is a bloated operating system but it offers several things. The graphical interface gets you away from special functions keys for every controller command. You can use longer file names for your cut files (like "HarleyMainCircleCut_1-16SlotMill.txt) instead of the limited 8 character DOS convention. You can get free windows based g-code simulators that will "cut" your files on the screen before putting bit to metal. You can have the CAD or CAM or both programs on the Windows Controller so making quick changes is a lot easier. Networking two or more Windows based computers is a 5 minute job. I urge you to take a look at Art's Mach1. The latest version is starting to look like a real professional and stable controller with some impressive features. The ability to make smooth cuts using the contour analysis has really improved my cuts. Being able to start or stop the g-code at any point and even edit the code in a window is a real time saver. True, you need to have at least a 500MHZ box, more RAM, and WIN2000 or XP, to get the most out of the software, but that grade of machine has become REAL cheap. |
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Andrew Werby
Message: 11
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Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 08:52:14 -0800 From: "Owen Lloyd" <sbw@...> Subject: Re: Flashcut Hey Tim. I am going to be retro'n my bench top unit. As you can tell by my misinformed posts, I'm still learning my way around. I have no preference for windows based or DOS, I've used both over the years and wouldn't know which is best [if there is even a difference.] Though I have a ton of questions I've been unable to locate answers for with my web searches. thanks for your help I'll check out the two you recomend. Owen ----- Original Message -----
Depends what you mean by "like Flashcut". If you mean a windows based[In fairness to Flashcut, they offer a turnkey system that they take full responsibility for. Certainly it's now possible to cobble together a system by getting a controller from one guy, scrounging some surplus motors, adding a software control program from someone else, then make them all work together. But if something goes wrong, it will be difficult to figure out whose component is at fault. When you get a Flashcut system, they supply the controller, the software, and the motors (or the whole machine), so when you call their tech support department the person who answers won't be tempted to pass the buck. For a hobbyist, it may be worthwhile to save every penny possible, and to regard every setback as a learning experience. For someone who is getting paid to produce a product and has less tolerance for error and delay, it may well be worthwhile to pay a bit more and be assured that the system will actually function as specified. Flashcut has been around for a long time, and their systems really work. While they are no longer the cheapest option, they are far from the worst way to go.] Andrew Werby www.computersculpture.com |
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Andrew,
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I agree that in some cases having a system that is plug and play is worth additional money. But with the advent of this group and a number of new products in the past couple of years rolling your own is no longer a cobble it together and hope experience. We can now point a beginner to a list of off the shelf products that will work together perfectly on the first try. I think you will be seeing in the next year or so more turn key type solutions coming onto the market. I would not be surprised if within a year you don't see a 2.5 amp drive all set up on a box along with a windows based controller and the matching motors for about half of Flashcut. It is almost there. Dan at Camtronics is offering a 2.5 amp drive in a box complete with the power supply. He will also set you up with motors. Mach1 will soon have all the features of Flashcut and more. Deskam has the DeskWinNC controller that gives you solid performance on any Windows platform. All it will take is some enterprising individual to put is all together. If I was Flashcut I would either be trying to move more to the segment that is willing to pay for turn key or trying to figure out how to compete with the coming wave of lower cost hobby CNC. Tim [Denver CO] -----Original Message----- |
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hi
true, but i need a stable, "commercial", and supported system today... for myself, as a hobbyist, i would definitely use m1, m5, ya, dak or whatever. someone mentioned responsibility, thats v-e-r-y important here in europe and i guess in u.s. as well. if, an serious oops would happen (so far so good with fc) it might be a problem to claim a "hobby" or part-time-programmer author. its the same with hardware, i know i can get motors and drivers for 1/3 of the price i pay today, but i wont get all documentation like fcc, emc, ce, etc. wich are extremely important for oem?s. as an example, fc?s manual is a pedagogical, clear manual, not a .txt file stuffed somewhere, thats really what sets a "pro"-product appart from the others. still, i really lookin forward to what mr. a. fenerty might come up with. i really appreciate his excellent support and frankly way to solve problems I think you will be seeing in the next year or so more turn key type solutions coming onto the market. I wouldnot be surprised if within a year you don't see a 2.5 amp drive all setup on a box along with a windows based controller and the matchingmotors for about half of Flashcut. |
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Chris L
Tim Goldstein wrote:
(snip) I would notExactly... Almost. I look forward to it. It has been a long time coming and I recall the days when the majority claimed it "simply is NOT possible to do it with Windows".... Look at where we are today. I love it. Dan at Camtronics isYou've hit it on the head... The problem is no-one really puts it all together, at least neatly. Some who do put it together have cabinets that look like spider webs inside. Is it so hard to make a NICE looking box?? A nice looking box is probably one of the only things I've appreciated from MicroK.... their Driveracks. Why doesn't Deskam offer a turnkey with Drives ? How about Mach1 ? I think it is because it adds greatly to their overhead.... Now they have to test compatability, now they have more support issues, deals to make, more employees, insurances,,,,, Before you know it, they've got a $1000 controller too. If I was Flashcut IIn some respects, They have been trying to find ways to compete with the new "wave". They have done so by working super hard to keep the newer release at the same price level as the 16 bit version and offering some pretty good upgrade options for older purchasers. Indexer's developers gave the big "freeze" to older customers for upgrade options and turned many aside. I think a control setup from them will run 1Kish... Flashcut works hard to stay in the lower market... Reality is, growth and responsibilities cost money and it isn't getting easier to stay in business. How many hobbiests buy controls per week, per month, per year ? Imagine the support calls ! Not necessarilly because of a product issue but just not enough common sense to fgure it out on their own or even READ the manual ! It became clear to me long ago that obviously very smart business desicions were made. I saw a lot of OEM's jump on their bandwagon. No doubt, software that worked without fiddling made that an easier jump. And, 1K is not too much to ask for most of those apps. So, I'm not sure where it will all go. It could be that they will eventually move up the ladder of control rather than down and that means price too. That also could mean then that the 32 bit release when available might be THE best and most affordable version to get before they start climbing! I hope it can hang on. The "open-ness" so many clamoured for has been written into the new release, even though it is initially "closed"... Future users are going to get access to some of that "open-ness" but probably at a cost. One things for sure, the Windows Control market does get more interesting every day. Chris L
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