Thanks for all the input guys. I currently need to use
VB script externally to BobCAD in order to accomodate some of the peculiarities of the CNI RT480 controller on my machine. It needs a Biesse-centric header and is very sensitive to some instruction sequences. It also appears to have some odd rules - like you must park the Z axis and turn-off tool compensation (G40) before attempting a jog (G0) - don't do that and the so and so will stop mid cut
. The machine also has three spindles rather than a tool changer (I wish I had a tool changer - maybe next year) so scripting is necessary to accommodate this at times. Lastly the drilling cycles are normaly handled by on-board optimiser software which works somewhat differently. All in all it is enough to drive you nuts when setting upo a program - once it is running, however, I love the beast.....
PS The UK supplier of OneCNC has just posted me a demo and is offering me a very attractive discount to bin BobCAD and go OneCNC. So what's support like, fellahs?