David,
Great questions! And thank you for your kind comments.
The CNC Brain works with steppers and servos (keep in mind it is still in Beta form until everyone agrees on a "production" version ... same hardware, just updated firmware/software).
The Brain dynamically corrects errors as they occur (as you saw in the video, which we had to slow the machine way down so you could hear it, otherwise is reacts so quickly) and is intended to be used by everyone (Hobbyist, OEM, weekend warriors, production shops alike
It tends to surprise people when they lean against a machine and the motors tick to compensate for the slightest flex they may be causing. When moving to closed or double closed loop, all that mess with skipping caused by harmonics and lost position just melts away ... THAT is what I like!!!
One of the interesting things the Brain can do is run mixed mode. Any axis can be either Open Loop, Closed Loop, or Double Closed Loop, and stepper or servo, in any combination. This lets you "grow" your machine to where you want it to be ... add as you want ... according to what you have available.
As for what you need, you've got it exactly. The CNC Brain is a motion control system (a super computer in a box). It takes G-Code from the PC, tells the drivers (such as Gecko ... which are great BTW) what to do, and takes input from sensors to correct in near real-time.
As for a "Mach replacement", I don't know if it would be called that. Mach is a good product and everyone is familiar with it (let's be honest, they ARE the market). There was some talk with Brian (a really great guy) at ArtSoft back in March to create a plugin, but that is up to him and his schedule.
The Control Panel GUI (which comes free with the CNC Brain) does come with the source code (yes, the whole program, source files, and project ... written in
VB.Net ... even has a diagram in the project to show how the program is put together). It is built in layers that let it be changed very quickly and easily.
The idea is to let anyone create whatever they want with the stability of a dedicated motion control engine, without having to start from scratch.
The SDK simplifies the Brain interface. You say, "move these 6 axis to here", it figures out how to do it. And it can be used on more than just machining: robotics, pick-n-place, machine automation, etc..
As for easy setup, that is the idea (within reason .. darn wires
. Check out the video about the I/O Tab (one of my pet peaves)
One other addictive thing is the Mouse Jog. Toward the end, past editing the "picture" jog buttons ... that Mouse wheel becomes usable!
Again, thanks for the feedback!!! Your questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. Any gift of knowledge or wisdom you wish to pass along will be most humbly, and thankfully, accepted.
s/Bruce