Is there more than video?

[Joe S.]

Hi everyone,
I have been looking at some great uTube videos about the ability systems control software, and I have looked at the product manuals, and price list. All seems good so far.
What I do not see is activity in this forum relating to Ability Systems either pro or Con, no salesman promoting the system, no or little, recent users promoting or complaining ( no press is bad press). How does this company make money? Is MACH3 the last and only word in stepper control ?
C'mon guys, how about circulating some opinions so as to increase the knowledge base here. I need to build a drilling machine for large tooling plates >40"x40" .
The videos look great, but . . .

[ger21]

In the 9 years this forum has been around, I've seen one person use Ability Systems Indexer LPT on their machine.

Back then Mach was $100, and a comparable package from Ability Systems was about $900. The gap has narrowed a little, but the 9:1 cost ratio allowed Mach3 to take over the market.

It supposedly works very well, though, from what I've heard in the past.

There are other options besides Mach3.
LinuxCNC
Flashcut
Dynomotion

And several others.

[datac]

>>Is MACH3 the last and only word in stepper control ?

Not in my book. Maybe when the next major version comes out. Time will tell. At least it is probably the least expensive.

>> C'mon guys, how about circulating some opinions so as to increase the knowledge base here. I need to build a drilling machine for large tooling plates >40"x40" .
The videos look great, but . . .[/QUOTE]

Ability is one of the oldest "hobby" motion control companies I can think of. To my knowledge, they got their most exposure when they became the control method used for all of the "Digital Tool" routers back in the early '80's.

I bought a copy of their HPGL control program probably back in about 1997-99ish. Still have it, but not in use. They at that time did not offer a G-Code front end, but there were a few small developers who did offer a DOS front end to their motion control that did (Machine Tech was one name I recall). Art Volta was the main contact person and I assume the actual developer. I believe he is still there, and I might add, a very brilliant man when it comes to motion control.

So, even back when people were literally arguing in forums about being able to have a "windows control" (which for 98% really meant just having a windows GUI for CNC control), or whether "Windows" could even be involved with CNC control at all, they already had it... at least in HPGL.

Now interestingly enough, thru the following years, the arguments for "open source" went on and on in various forums. I guess those arguing really wanted FREE cnc controls, or they would have grabbed hold of the fact that Art Volta always offered really great documentation for programmers to make their own "Front End" or GUI for his motion control "Back End". If I hadn't been "programming illiterate", I would have loved to make a Windows based G-Code "front end" because it would have been the best thing going out there.

Well, long story short, I really wanted a G-code control. Art claimed to be "working on one", and when he came up with it, He wanted a full copy price and not an upgrade price. By then, I found Flashcut and put it on some machinery at work, fell in love with everything about it and never had to look back (or anywhere else for that matter).

Now that is not to say bad things about Ability. A few years ago, there was a nice fellow in this group who built a machine he called the CAD-CUT router. He used the more recent G-Code versions of Ability Systems and reported that he was VERY happy with it and also with the support from the company. I do recall that Art was always available to speak with you directly about any issue. I would assume that Ability's motion engines maintained the same level of very smooth control I saw when I used it back in 1999 (the product was always very advanced in continuous contouring functions).

The real question is what OTHER control or controls did the CAD-CUT builder use to relate how happy he was ? What could he compare it to or with ? I started a thread in this forum some time ago to also encourage indepth control discussions where COMPARISONS might be drawn by people who actually USED various control programs.... discussions rather than cheer-leading sessions. That thread fell flat, because frankly, I believe that most in this forum simply have not used many different programs. When it comes to Machx, I would be willing to bet that 95+ % who have purchased it have not used any of the other similar level controls. There had been a reasonably long discussion in the DIY-CNC forum comparing actual features between Machx, LinuxCNC and Flashcut. Now that was a great discussion and I learned some astounding things !

I've pretty much adopted Flashcut because it really has a great feature base and they really do listen to users when it comes to desired features. You didn't have to be the "beta tester" either as they were disciplined enough to not release buggy software. I've given Mach more than a few solid tries and and ended up back at Flashcut because of too many weird quirks (please don't tell me there aren't any). If I were a wealthy person, I'd give Ability another try.... I wish I could just go into the business of "comparing controls". I find it more fun than actually making stuff on my machines !

[Joe S.]

I looked at Ability's prices, looks to be in the mid $300s now, seems reasonable enough for what you ask it to do.

Flashcut, isn't that by Dave of FADAL company? I would guess He has enough experience to make solid CNC software. I'll bet the FlashCut package set you back a bundle though.

I remember those arguments about Windows vs DOS. I remember the old DeskNC dos program, and never did know why they discontinued it.

LINUX EMC2, well it's LINUX, and even though it sports a slick GUI, well it's still a steep learning curve.

Dynomotion: Not familiar with that one, will have to research . . .
Thanks for your reply s, any one else want to throw in 2 cents worth, welcome, and Thanks.

[ger21]

You need to add another $350 to be able to run G-Code, so the Ability Systems package is really $700.

The Fadal guy on Youtube uses Flashcut on his machines, but it's not his company.

[Joe S.]

You need to add another $350 to be able to run G-Code, so the Ability Systems package is really $700.

The Fadal guy on Youtube uses Flashcut on his machines, but it's not his company.

Thanks, that's good information, both replys, I stand corrected.