Ajax,

I was intrigued about Ajax when I was first looking around for a CNC controller and compared CamSoft to Centroid and Ajax, but decided on CamSoft. So far I am pretty happy with my CamSoft system but I would like to compare further.

So far my CamSoft system said it can do all these things below, although I have never tried them all.

1. I really prefer Windows XP over DOS, but tell us more about how the Linux interface would work and be supported. This is my biggest concern.

2. Do you offer the ability for the end user to change the screen features and make his own buttons?

3. Is the current board an ISA board? If so are there computers that still have ISA slots? When is PCI version coming?

4. What about future repair. Who else can we get these from?

5. Can you do 5 axis coordinated motion? My CamSoft said it could do 8 axis coordinated motion but I have never used it.

6. Do you offer a self tuning program for Velocity drives or AC Brushless servo's?

7. How configurable are the G and M codes. Can I set them up to run an old Allen Bradley or Mazak programs my self?

8. For instance I may want to do some math calculation in a G code move that turns on/off an I/O under a certain set of IF THEN rules, like distance to go. How open is the system to add logic like this?

9. The Galil motion board spec's claim to have a super high performance and is still the best board I looked into. They claim a 120,000 IPM rapid speed and a smooth 3,000 IPM cutting feedrate, which I have seen done. If I have a large program with very small moves less than .001 how fast can I except to cut smoothly?

10. I should also ask how many megabytes can a single program be run at?

11. Excuse me but I am not familiar with PLC ladder logic but if my tool changer hangs up or any device like a probe a PLC controls while the Ajax is waiting for a ready signal from the PLC. How can I resolve this if this signal never comes? Do I just reboot?

12. Do you offer a library of pre-written PLC logic routines for external devices such as tool changers.

13. One more question on Linux. I guess the current AJAX system can't read CD's or network because of DOS but will AJAX and Linux be able to? When is the Linux system being released?

14. CamSoft claims to do all types of AC servos, DC servos, Brush, Brushless, PWM, Hydraulic or even Stepper motors. What's the things I need to ask if someone has existing motors/amps they want to keep?

15. Will a have spindle RPM control and be able to do high speed rigid tapping?

Jim

Jim,

Hello. For anyone just reading this post, the answers below correspond to the questions posed by Jim Cooper in the previous post. This was much easier than quoting his entire post.

1. Linux is a windowed enviroment far more stable than any Windows platform. It is designed specifically for high-performance, high-speed, number-crunching, computer systems, which is exactly what CNC is! Also, Linux is open source so support is not an issue, it's infinite!

2. No, only because there is no need. We have developed specific software for different applications. So instead of being able to do everything okay, we do something very well. Customizable buttons are nothing more than a novelty feature, and a way to get out of doing it right the first time! If you need a special button, we'll make sure you get it!

3. We currently support both ISA and PCI motion control cards.

4. We support all systems, forever, period. Controls that are 30 years old are still being supported.

5. Yes of course. And with true high-speed machining.

6. Absolutely, only we use Torque drives which are far more effective and efficient than Velocity drives.

7. The g-codes we use are an industry standard and not configurable. Our M-codes of course are very flexible. Concerning running older programs, there is no need to go through the hassle of reconfiguring your control just to run an old program. There are many software programs available, many freeware, that act like post-processors to allow you to run old code on an industry standard format.

8. Our control is more than capable of processing complex math equations, variables, and conditional statements within a g-code program.

9. This point here is very important. While I'm sure their software and processor is capable of these speeds, it is far from practical. Our control will handle 10,000+ IPM 3D contours. However, these speeds are not of any practical use to a real machinist. There are not any tooling or machines capable of these speeds with any precision. On a standard 5 turns per inch precision ballscrew for example, you would need an axis motor, direct driven, running at 15,000 RPM to reach 3000 IPM! Any motors currently in production for practical applications wouldn't have enough torque to cut through butter at that speed. So I guess my point is that the claims of Galil do not really mean anything to a real machininst. A computer programmer maybe, but never a machinist.

10. Unlimited, of course. Ask any mold-maker if he'd settle for anything less!

11. Absolutely not. Our controls are much smarter than that. Simply cancel the operation, and move on to troubleshoot the problem.

12. Yes and No. While we do have an extensive library of PLC programs, the end user only NEEDS one. One program for their specific applications. If you have a tool changer, you get a PLC for a tool changer. If you have a Bridgeport boss with air solenoid controlled spindle speed, you get a PLC program to control the solenoids.

13. DOS has been capable of utilizing CDROMs and networking for quite some time. The Linux system we currently have can do all of the above and then some. And it does it far easier and much faster than a Windows platform.

14. Typically you'll only need to ask for the type, max RPM, max & continuous Voltage, and max & continuous Torque. Under special circumstances, you may also need to know the voltage and torque constants.

15. Of course, this IS an indutrial control designed by machininsts, for machininsts. It just happens to carry the price tag of a hobbyist's control.

I'll be happy to answer any other questions you have if this didn't clear up your concerns and curiosity.

Thanks, Jim, for the answers, and for the support on the forum.

I'm about ready to order an Ajax kit for my Mori Seiki SL-1 and give it a go. I'm only waiting to speak to someone at Ajax. I emailed last week and left a voicemail today, but no call back yet. I'm going to be out of the shop the rest of this week, so it's gonna have to wait.

As soon as I get a couple of my dumber questions answered I'm gonna go. When I start tearing into the Mori I will document the retrofit & do some posts here.

Mark

I just order my kit from Ajax, Can't wait to get it up and running.
Going to dightizing alot of parts , and cnc machine raw castings, I will let you all know how it works out.