Forgive my ignorance

[marx911]

I’m just trying to figure out “What exactly is camsoft?” Are you just buying software? As I read its fancy software that allows you to set up your PC to run a machine tool. What exactly does the 5 grand get you? Is the I/O extra? If it is just software is it limited to use on just one computer? I assume it is being marketed to more of the professional market and not the average Joe home hobbyist.

Thanks
Mark

[Al_The_Man]

Camsoft is a software product, but you also need a motion control card (Galil is one) , which takes up one slot in the PC, The benefits are that the motion is controlled by the dedicated motion card and can operate in close to real time for high speed machining etc, the PC is used mainly for operator interface and also PLC functions (I/O card required) which allows sophisticated general machine control like tool changers etc.
The total cost of the high end PC based systems is getting close to the high end sytems like Fanuc or Mitsubishi, the advantage is that the open PC systems allow easier use of existing motors and drives for a retrofit.
I have been in involved in Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Camsoft, Acroloop, and some self designed retrofit systems.
Generally when looking at the cost of a retrofit or a new machine design, the cost of the retrofit system and applying it does not differ all that much between a small knee mill and a 30ft bed mill. The difference though is when the retrofit cost against a new machine is evaluated. $10,000 to $15,000 for a knee mill to $1.5m for a large bedmill. (these are replacement examples).
Al

[HuFlungDung]

Yes, it is software only, and everything else is extra. You do get a hardware dongle to go with it, though AFAIK, you can remove the dongle and install it on another computer, should you so desire. But only one installation can run at a time.

CNC Professional is more for the professional market. The price doesn't seem so bad after you've been softened up by replacing a few circuit boards in a proprietory cnc controller

[camsoft]

Hi Mark,

CamSoft has something for every one ranging from General Factory automation to full commercial CNC Controllers used by America largest companies, universities and hobby shops as well.

We have over 7,000 plus software packages sold to date since 1981. We attract new equipment manufacturers as well as fix one broken machine at a time.

To answer your questions:

We offer all of our hardware such as I/O boards you asked about "ala-carte"

The 5 grand you mentioned is an ambiguous figure amount. Simply because we have complete CNC controllers for a fraction of this price and also systems double to triple this price.

The software is licensed to the end user so depending on what you order or require you would need one license per seat which can be moved from computer to computer or ask about extra seats (licensed installations) at up to 90% discounts.

We market our systems to:

Do it yourself software/hardware components
-or-
Full service installations and custom solutions.

Packages for the OEM, Retrofitter, System Integrator or End user.
-or-
The end user self installation.

Turn key, ready to mount professional CNC enclosures.
-or-
Separately sold software and hardware components.

Tech Support
CamSoft Corp.
(951) 674-8100
support@camsoftcorp.com
www.cnccontrols.com