Compact II?

[TURNER]

Hi to all.
Just wondering, does any body still use Applicon Bravo (Compact II language) for programming?
Turner..

[rapidtraverse]

TURNER-

Man, I've never heard of Compact II language used in CNC programming. I'm curious and would like to hear more. Most my experience is with g-code derived from linux which is common with Fanuc and Fanuc emulated controls.

[TURNER]

Originally Posted by rapidtraverse TURNER- Man, I've never heard of Compact II language used in CNC programming. I'm curious and would like to hear more. Most my experience is with g-code derived from linux which is common with Fanuc and Fanuc emulated controls.

Hi,
I believe this software was used in the early 80's. It is very good for family parts as there is a lot you can do using parameters, the only problem now is there is little or no support. This is why i started this post, to see if any one else was using it still and if they knew of anywhere supporting it.
Cheers
Turner

[Indexable Turn]

Turner -

We still use Applicon everyday for our lathes (horizontal and vertical).

As far as support, I may be able to come up with a name. Person is (was) located in Michigan. It may take some looking, as I have not been in contact with him for quite some time. Let me know if you want me to pursue.

[Mike Mattera]

Applicon was based on the APT language (Automatically Programmed Tool). Compact II was available from a company called MDSI (Manufacturing Data Systems Inc, based in Michigan). APT goes back to the earliest days of computerized programming, when the Government (Air Force, Aircraft companies, etc) needed to make better, more consistent jet engine parts.

Using Compact II APT: First you would define geometry like L1=0,0:10,10 (Line #1 goes from x0 y0 to x10 y10). C1=5,5 Tan L1 (Circle 1 has a center at x5 y5 and is tangent to Line 1. (for you APT guys, forgive me if this is not the exact syntax. It's been over 30 years since I used APT).

After defining all of your geometry, you would create a toolpath with commands like FEED L1, C1, CW, C2, #2, L2 (Feed along Line 1, ClockWise around Circle 1, around Circle 2, to the #2 intersection of Line 2.

All of this was done with punched paper tape ( http://www.cs.unc.edu/Outreach/vr/co...aperTape1.html ) on a machine called a Flexowriter or a Teletype ( http://www.kekatos.com/teletype/Tele...del_ASR-33.htm ). Once you created the punched tape, you would call a computer (in Michigan) on the phone thru a device called an "acoustic coupler" (what you would call a "Modem" today. picture here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ac...5_175456_1.jpg). This mainframe computer would read your punched tape instructions and if you typed EVERYTHING correctly, would generate an NC program.

Since you were on the Phone line, this was referred to as "on-line" programming, thru a computer that allowed "time sharing" of the computers resources (computers were still the size of a large refrigerator). You were charged for the minutes you were "on-line". Later when computers were smaller, and if you were rich enough to have one at your company, you could do "off-line" programming, because you were no longer on the phone line.

With Compact II, there was no graphic toolpath display at all. If you wanted to see a verified toolpath you needed a pen plotter (BIG money in those days). It cold plot your geometry and/or your toolpath.

This was long before the days of IBM PC's. The first time I saw a self contained desktop computer (running Unix) that actually showed the graphics of the toolpath, I about peed my pants with excitement.

I dont miss those days at all. But it makes you think, when you see how far we've come. Hope you enjoyed this little history lesson about the origins of Compact II and NC programming.

Mike Mattera

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Mike, You're showing our age!! LOL We used APT thru UCC by landline to Dallas Texas from Wisconsin.

$99,000 in 1979. The good ol' days.

Dick Z

[Mike Mattera]

Hi Dick,

I knew I would be showing my age. But it's important for people to know just how easy they have it now days. With Freeware and Shareware that do more than some of the early incarnations of APT and even most of the early PC based systems.

As for " The Good Old Days " , If those were the good old days, just shoot me now.

Hey Dick: I got out of Milwaukee. Living in Mesa AZ now.

Mike Mattera

[jbexplorer]

I just through the manuals out this year.

[wangotango68]

hi
I'm french and 48 old and use applicon bravo only red menu) since 19 years and still gives us satisfaction with acramatic and fanuc control in 2.5 milling.
But today I have a new problem: we bought an okuma osp700 and I don't have any postpro for this
where can I find this or who can give me any solution (mtdgenerator free... linklib compiler or someone else)

best regards

[kowman1]

Wangotango68,

We bought an Okuma with Thinc OSP about 2 years ago. We had someone in Michigan write a link for us. It was $500 US per axis, so the lathe was $1000 US. If you would like to contact him, let me know.

[bigb8766]

I use Compact 2 every day. It is still powerful software. Excellent for part families. It hasn't been supported in a number of years, and will not work with windows 7. Needless to say, it is near extinction, since it no longer has support.

[TURNER]

Originally Posted by bigb8766 I use Compact 2 every day. It is still powerful software. Excellent for part families. It hasn't been supported in a number of years, and will not work with windows 7. Needless to say, it is near extinction, since it no longer has support.

Yes almost extinct, but still more versatile than ANY new breed of software. Why no one has rewritten this with a more modern front end and visuals eg 3d backplotting etc is totally beyond me. We are now using a combination of macro CII programs and a modern software to do the odd stuff. But, if i had to do a standard family parts job, even with a high end parametric modelling system there is no way it could be done as quick. Some of our std parts which are quite involved can be fully programmed in less than 20mins using parameters. Do this on modern system even with a model would take way longer and outputs more g-code.
What version you use? I saw in an earlier post that Compact II has no toolpath display...Ours does. Also is your key locked to the network card? I have seen there is now some software you can get that can spoof Mac Address of netcard maybe this is a way to keep it alive if card fails. That is if its legal.
Keith.