Why not Turbocnc

[rlwoodjr]

First let me say I do not work for Turbocnc, I just like it.

I was just curious why there is not more excitement about Turbocnc.

It runs on almost any junk computer
Dos is free
It is stable and the cost is reasonable
You even get the code to make your own modifications...

I know this is probably in the wrong forum, but I would like some feedback

[LeeWay]

You stated my main reason. DOS. No thanks.

To expand a bit. I like to be able to use my cam software on the same computer for last minute fixes and adjustments. I mainly use Sheetcam, but have a couple others too. I don't run CAD on the shop computers. I like using software compatible with what I generally use. Mach 3 and everything else I own runs under Winders. Not say that it is better or worse, just that for me, it makes logical sense for my workflow.

[CarveOne]

I am running Ubuntu Linux and EMC2 for the very same reasons that you mention for DOS and TurboCNC. I haven't used DOS since IBM DOS 3.1 was in vogue. Never tried TurboCNC but looked at the website briefly when I started my first build. I was more interested in Linux at the time so I chose it instead.

CarveOne

[rlwoodjr]

You stated my main reason. DOS. No thanks.

To expand a bit. I like to be able to use my cam software on the same computer for last minute fixes and adjustments. I mainly use Sheetcam, but have a couple others too. I don't run CAD on the shop computers. I like using software compatible with what I generally use. Mach 3 and everything else I own runs under Winders. Not say that it is better or worse, just that for me, it makes logical sense for my workflow.

My dad would agree with you, He would like to run all his programs on one computer. I can see an advantage for this method.

I use ProE for modeling under XP. It is what I use at work so I know how to use it. I have old compaq presario's for the dos machines and I have a XP machine in the shop for quick editing...I just use a usb flash to transfer to the dos machines if the editing is too complicated to do in Turbocnc. I like dos...simple, real-time and rock sold.

[rlwoodjr]

I am running Ubuntu Linux and EMC2 for the very same reasons that you mention for DOS and TurboCNC. I haven't used DOS since IBM DOS 3.1 was in vogue. Never tried TurboCNC but looked at the website briefly when I started my first build. I was more interested in Linux at the time so I chose it instead.

CarveOne

I looked at the EMC2...I love the graphics. Seemed to work pretty good. The install disk made it easy for non-Linux people. I could not get it to work with my old Compaq's....I am too cheap to buy a better laptops for the shop.

[Bubba]

"I was just curious why there is not more excitement about Turbocnc."
Others have stated their reasons for not being excited about Turbocnc, I for one am excited about it for the exact same reasons they aren't. I have been running it on my mill/drill ever since V3.x and have made several modifications to it for my own purposes. Another thing I like is that I am able to run it on a CF card instead of a hard drive. My shop is not heated and cooled except by nature. As a result, I would loose a hard drive on a regular basis. Since using the CF card, haven't had a problem. As these cards have limited write cycles, I make all files read only. I know, you loose the automatic position location on startup, I always do a homing routine anyway.

Hopefully Dave K. will be forthcoming with the promised update soon that is supposed to fix the bugs and add CV.

I also like it because it is a nice simple interface on the screen and easy to use. As far as I am concerned, it is the most bang for the buck and would do it all over again if I had to.

Recently in the yahoo group, there was an announcement of a windows version being produced in Brazil and there were several people wondering if that meant the end of the DOS versions and Dave was surprised to hear how many PREFERRED the dos version.
Its far from dead and as long as there are some of us with the code, we will keep it alive.

[ger21]

When development on TurboCNC basically came to a halt several years ago, most of the interest in it faded away. People have been asking for CV for probably 5 years, and it still isn't here yet. If development had kept pace with Mach3's development, I'm sure TurboCNC would have a much bigger following.

[epineh]

I used it at first and loved it, but the lack of CV soon meant that anything not straight lined took forever to machine, only reason I changed.

I did love the 1 second PC boot up

Cheers.

Russell.

[Bubba]

I hope Dave K. is reading this thread and maybe it will give him the "push" to finish up the details that he said it needed. I know with health problems over the holidays plus having to move, it messed up his time table.

[rlwoodjr]

I guess I run slower feeds than most. I did not see that big of an advantage with CV. I run start speeds close enough to my cutting speeds.

However, I am gathering parts for a new router that will do 200 IPM. I still have a ways to go. I am building a couple for my dad first

I guess I will have the best of both worlds when Turbocnc releases the version with CV.

[Bubba]

Up on the Dakeng site is a spreadsheet of how close CV will follow based on acc. settings and feedrate. It will give you an advance idea of the performance.

[LeeWay]

In Mach 3, exact stop just kills performance and actual smooth operation in some cases.
CV is the way to go.
It, however has it's own drawbacks when cutting at fast speed, which I do with my router. I cut lexan parts out. There are a few tight curves in which 150 IPM is just too fast. It cuts and odd shaped curve instead. Slow it down to 80 IPM for those particular areas and it's good as gold. 300 IPM rapids.
Slow speeds may not see much difference between ES and CV, but you can sure see it when running faster.