EMC2 -vs- Mach3

[spoiledbrat]

What is the benefit of running EMC2 vs Mach 3? Can I get more speed out of this system? I have always believed that linux has more direct control of the computers resources, does that mean this would be more stable?

Just curious...

[acondit]

For me the advantage is that I don't have to deal with Windows.

Alan

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by spoiledbrat What is the benefit of running EMC2 vs Mach 3? Can I get more speed out of this system? I have always believed that linux has more direct control of the computers resources, does that mean this would be more stable? Just curious...

None

[sdantonio]

Linux is more stable than windows. If you read some of the Mach3 postings, with some problems, especially crashes, most people just throw their hands into the air and say it's the instability of windows. Also, with linux you don't have a single company that is going to come out with a new OS every few years that is inherently incompatable with their previous OS's.

Of course the windows fans are going to take exception to that last sentence. But just look at Vista, there is a huge amount of software and hardware that won't run under it. Microsofts way of forcing you to upgrade your system. Or look at anything written using dot net framework 2.0 (like solidworks 2007), it wont run under windows 2000. Microsofts way of forcing you to upgrade to XP. That is if you want to use solidworks 2007.

So with the linux environment you have more stability and fewer crashes and headaches.

Now for the downside. I honestly don't know how many CAM's have posts to EMC. For example, looking over the visual mill post list, they don't have one specifically writen to EMC (they do have one for Mach3). That isn't to say EMC can't be set to emulate other interpreters and use their post definitions.

I am told EMC is a bit more difficult to initially set up. But then, you only have to do this once in a prefect world.

I don't know how good EMC's technical support is if you have a problem. With Mach3, Art is right there with a same day answer. And Art is constantly incorporatint the fixes into upgrades (which are also free).

[samco]

Emc2 is free.. as in beer and speach.

It will do steppers and servos or a mix there of. It has built in ladderlogic.

kiwichris tested both here
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=48

I have not used mach.

Download the livecd here http://www.linuxcnc.org/content/view/21/4/lang,en/ and try it out. Seeing is believing.

[samco]

as far as support...

http://www.linuxcnc.org/component/op...mid,8/lang,en/

It is a java irc client that hookes to #emc on the irc.freenode.net. There is usually atleast one developer on there that can answer any questions. A bunch of users also that might be able to answer your questions.

The group is constantly updating and fixing bugs. Over the last 6 months they have added lathe support, threading and much more.

sam

[Dan Falck]

I have never used mach. Sounds like a nice program. That said... I have used EMC in my home shop in the past (several states and major moves ago) and am starting to set up some more machines in my garage shop. I am going to use EMC again. The part that I like the most about EMC is that the source code is right there. You can modify it to suit your needs. A lot of people will say: "but, I'm not a programmer". To that I say: if you've come this far, you are a tinkerer and you will probably be able to understand a lot of it and learn something. Since getting into EMC I have learned a lot about programming and see that I can alter the gui to suit my needs. Heck, you can even make other programs control it with scripting and really automate it.
I plan on doing some things that are similar to a commercial control that I have on my mill currently and then some.
At work, we rebuild a lot of machines in house for production use. I plan on using EMC a lot in the future (within 1 year I think). At work, we like to have access to the source code for everything we have. It's kind of like a good insurance policy.

Dan

[epineh]

Originally Posted by Dan Falck I plan on doing some things that are similar to a commercial control that I have on my mill currently and then some.Dan

Do you mean running the encoders directly to the controller PC and having the PID all done in software?

Thinking of this myself, (if that's what you mean) I was thinking a Mesa Electronics anything IO card that EMC already has drivers for, running encoders straight to the IO card, PID in software and output through the card to "dumb" H-bridges, cheap to replace and keep a few spares handy.

Basically only cost for the driver side is the IO card, and the H-bridges, with software configured (and backed up) on the PC.

Just have to get to know HAL a little better...

Russell.

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by acondit For me the advantage is that I don't have to deal with Windows. Alan

Amen to that. LOL. Hope you haven't started an OS war

disclaimer: No claim made here to impartiality due to;

a) I use linux whenever possible. I will use windows in a bind. Not a total fanatic!
b) I've run a machine retrofit based on emc on the job.
c) My only experience with mach3 is in sim (no motors) mode.

When my hobby machine is complete I intend to give mach3 a fair test. In fact I bought an extra computer for this exact purpose. However the machine will likely be controlled by emc.

Reasons;
a) Linux is more stable. I take this to be fact.

b) Open source software on an open source operating system. Emc developement continues as long as there are people willing and capable of contributing.

c) It's free. In speech and in beer. And who doesn't like free beer?

d) Real realtime.

e) Previous experience obviously.

I reserve the right to contradict all of the above if mach3 makes a convert of me.

[spoiledbrat]

Is emc limited by pulses per second?

[Al_The_Man]

I still haven't found any evidence of motion card (Galil etc) GUI used under EMC, although some claim it has been done, In my opinion that would be the ideal.
Complete closed loop system with open arch. GUI.
Al.

[spoiledbrat]

Would anyone care to step forward with their Galil card success? That would definitely make me consider using EMC.