CNCBrain users

[CarbideBob]

So where is this thing standing?
As I posted long ago this is a very ambitious project.

I'm guessing Bruce and his associates are getting a hard lesson in machine dynamics. (Ouch, been there, done that).

Producing the user software interface is the easy part. Beating the physics can drive ya nuts.

Using a parallel processor designed for machine vision is very interesting but has a few problems (but I've only got 29 years designing machine vision and motion controls so I'm hardly among the best in country). One has got to admire his "thinking outside the box".

It's interesting to see how many jumped on board the "Holy Grail" of motion control via dual loop control.

I have no doubt that Bruce is a very intelligent individual.
I sincerely hope he can achieve this but I think his price point is a bit too low for a commercial product.
Perhaps a little scaling back of the original concept would help.

Bob

[turmite]

Hi Bob,

I have been in email contact with Bruce this week. Lots of things are changing, and he is still working on the Brain, website etc to eventually make things happen quickly.

I personally have made the committment to wait this thing out, and therefore it makes it a little easier for me. On the other hand, I already have a working machine so I can at least work. My issue is still the very large scales needed for the second loop.

Mike

[CarbideBob]

Ok,
I've held off long enough.

The entire concept of this is system is not based on reality.
I understand the seduction of the concept but I've got 30 years experience in machine vision parallel processors and motion control and I've long since learned this is not gonna work.

You might get some steppers to run good enough for for some "hobby" applications.
You can kiss servos goodbye for any serious industrial app as the the solution is not even close to linear in response.(not to mention the fact that that it does not have a "unique" solution across different platforms).
Applying the techniques used here is like putting a wood screw in with a hammer.

Fancy "front ends" mean nothing without a serious understating of motion control to back them up.

Don't like my comments?
well ( They say I'm cocky, and I say what, It ain't bragging ** if you back it up) "Bob Richie"

Let's see Bruce pull this off, he's the one who said his product was ready for everyone to invest in.
I've got a huge problem with anyone who takes people's money without a working system.

Bob

[Mariss Freimanis]

Wow Bob, it's enthusiasm like yours that truly inspires innovative people.

Mariss

[pzzamakr1980]

Hey Bob, do you actually have one of these? If not, I think the phrase, go away applies. If you do and you feel that a experimental product that by the builder's own admission still has some kinks to work out should be dead on reliable, many phrases apply. As it is, I have the system running without closed loop without any real issue, closed loop is not working, but I'm happy to be using a laptop instead of a dedicated computer with it's huge tower.

[joeybagadonuts]

Does Kid Rock have a CNC Brain?

What does he use it for?

JoeyB

[Dougal]

As it is, I have the system running without closed loop without any real issue, closed loop is not working, but I'm happy to be using a laptop instead of a dedicated computer with it's huge tower.

Can you post some details of your setup?

[CarbideBob]

Well I see I've revved up a few people.
Good that was my intention.

I have a very large problem with anyone who announces that their product is ready and suck money from people's pockets and then say "we will get it working any day now".

There are those here that have commanded my respect, notably Mariss and NC Cams. Both of whom have many times demonstrated their in depth knowledge of motion control engineering and machine dynamics.

Yes Mariss, I know I'm throwing out the proverbial "wet blanket".
Sorry bout that but I've had dozens of bright engineers working for me with unrealistic expectations and at some point you have to stand up and throw in a dose of reality.
A bit of scaling back would seriously help this project.

Concerning the phrase "go away", consider it done. I won't bother you any more.

"Drink deep from the well of knowledge, for while it is drinking that drunkens us, it is largely drinking more that sobers us"
Bob

[Mariss Freimanis]

No need to go away.:-) Let's toss both ideas around a little and see how they land.

1) Unrealistic expectations. It's only unrealistic if you have given your personal best and find that despite your efforts the goal still eludes you. This can be because it violates laws of physics (perpetual motion), it is beyond your IQ level or the resources required are beyond your $$$ level. IQ and $$$ grow with experience.:-)

In my opinion you should always aim higher than you can reasonably reach. It makes the effort noble because you operate outside your comfort zone and success is not assured. You are not doing the easy thing. The effort of reaching towards a high goal stretches your mind and makes it limber. Even if you don't reach it, you will certainly learn things you didn't know before.

Reaching also leaves you open to serendipity. Discoveries are not announced with "Eureka, I have found it!" but rather with "That's interesting; now why did it do that?"

2) Taking money. I think I'm with on that but for different reasons. If you are building a wall then it's reasonable to take money up front. You have to buy materials and there is little question a wall will be standing after you finish.

It's risky for your personal reputation and peace of mind to accept money for a goal that isn't absolutely assured. You are not laying concrete blocks where you can estimate the finish time to within a day or so. Serenity comes from saying "It will be finished when it's done" because you owe no obligation apart from what your work towards a goal demands.

Mariss

[Switcher]

Wise man say - Never set a deadline.


.

[Mariss Freimanis]

It's kind of tough to set a deadline on stuff like this because I don't know anymore than anyone else when things will turn out.

As you work, you keep in your head a hierarchy of potential sticking points and unknown stuff that lies between you and the goal. The kind of stuff you rummage through after the TV and lights are off but before you fall asleep. Some things you have marked as big hurdles turn out to be easy, others you have marked as easy turn into real bears when you tackle them.

Projects themselves take on personalities. I have completed the G201X and the G320X redesigns. Both are "in the can" and production boards are in-process. When I started, I had the G320X pegged as a bear and the G201X as a "cute pre-adolescent domesticated feline mammalian quadruped" (can't say p***ycat; the zone robo-censors will get you). It turned out the other way; some projects fight you every inch of the way while others just go "meow" and only want their belly scratched.

Mariss

[PEU]

Mariss,

We knew about the CNCBrain in this thread more than 10 months ago. At the time Bruce the (sole?) developer replied to questions/doubts almost daily, hourly sometimes.

This gave most of us a very good image about this new product, an image every customer wants to see, that is: very responsive customer service, you Mariss are the living example of this.

The big difference is that you Mariss deliver on your promises, maybe with some bumps along the road (your cheap drives thread comes to mind) but the product is delivered

Under the excuse of being in development (not as the title said: CNC Brain is ready!...) the support faded away, heck, the developer faded away, he took a govt job, the result is the same, no more updates, no more fixes, no delivery of promised features, etc.

This is just another example of marketing being disconnected from reality.

I had patience... I had hopes for such a nice product, I think the product will never be delivered, I also hope I'm proved wrong...


I wish Bruce good luck... honestly!


Pablo