"Mach Convention", (South East)...any interest????

[PoppaBear10]

I (and perhaps a few other unlucky souls), am considering putting on a 3 day, Friday, Saterday, Sunday "Mach Con" South East. It would be a Convention of Mach enthusiest, in the South East for CNC builders. Puting on classes for various subjects, having machines built by users to show, (kind of like NAMES, but for CNC builders).

Let me know if there is any interest. There will be classes for all skill levels (except C++ programming unless someone wants to step up)......

This is just a "Feeler" post to gauge the interest level....

Scott

[HayTay]

Okay, I'll bite.

It just depends on when and where, exactly, in the 'South East' MachCon ends up being held.

I'm looking forward to further details,

[Bubba]

Where??

The "southeast" is a big area!

[PoppaBear10]

Well, I am in the TN Army National Guard, and I can get a large indoor "Drill Hall" (about the size of a indoor basketball court at a high school gem), to use for free!!! In Knoxville, TN. But, I am open to other locations as well. At this time this is just a "test post" to see how much interest there would be for something like this, to make it worth all the trouble.
If I can get perhaps 20-40+ people it would be do-able.

You dont have to necessarily live in the SE, to go, it is just a matter of logistics.

Scott

[mgamber]

As a vendor I would be interested. We are in Houston Texas and that (of course) would be a great place to hold it! Put me on your list of interested parties.

[beone]

Location sounds great. For me it will come down to the timing.
Dave

[HayTay]

Knoxville, TN is definitely do-able as it's only around a 5-6 hour drive for me. The 'large indoor drill hall' sounds like just the ticket and you'll have a hard time finding another location that will beat that price.

Actually, anywhere that's between a 5-7 hour drive is OK for me.

Have you contacted Art or Brian at ArtSoft/MachSupport and asked for their thoughts or input? Maybe try to line up a guest appearance, video conference, or something? Just a thought.

Later,

[OzarkCNC]

10+ hours drive here.

Thats about the edge of 1 days driving for me. Timing would be a big factor.

Now if you decided to move it to Memphis, I could go nearly anytime as its only half the distance.

[High Seas]

Are you advance planning for next summer - Or sooner? From panhandle of FL it would be do-able for me, but not until next summer, I like the idea.
BTW -- Anybody in the Atlanta area? Everyone in the Southeast knows to get anywhere - ya gotta go through ATL!
Jim

[bclark6716]

Count me in. Knoxville is OK with me.
Brian

[PoppaBear10]

Vendors are definatly welcome,

I got the ok, go ahead to use the Drill Hall in Knoxville, TN they are willing to also allow us to use extra "Generators" if the existing power supply situation is not enough. I think the Generators can also supply 3 phaze power, I will have to look into that to see what the power types available.

The Drill hall is a Go, (For Now), that could change if a change in deployment status or other training issues pop up. But since it is free I am not complaining to much, I had to deal with the Devil a little, there will be a "recuiter" table there, if this is a go, then at least stop by and say hi to the guy, but dont sign anything........hehehe. We would have to let them think there might be some carrots at the end of the stick.

When: thinking about it right now, I have school age children as well, and I suspect many of you do to. There are Fall and Winter breaks toward nov, dec. but that my be to close for people to schedule in time out of work, since some are driving a full day or more.

Jan-apr is cold here but is also do-able.

I wanted to stay away from the summer since Galesburg CNC Workshop runs then. I would like to offer a convention at or around the other side of the year, and not to close to the workshop.

The numbers of interested here is encourging so far, there are 8 here and 2-3 on the Mach support forum.........

I was considering puttin on classes for:
Basic machine/mach setup
Screen designer 3 and 4
Flash Screens (mabey)
VB scripting
VB Wizards
Mobbus Serial and TCP setup
Interfacing to ADC PLC's with Mach
Brians
servo tuning
panel building
CAD/CAM to Mach

any other subjects that someone else would like to hit, feel free, or even help with the above feel free.
Obviously if you have a portable machine you can bring to show and tell do so.

There may also be a Sign up fee for the event depending on what things I have to rent, or other unforseen expenses at present.

Scott

[bml6116]

I'd be very interested. I am just starting a CNC wood router and a conversion of a Webb knee mill...and I need all the help I can get.
Definitively would attend !

Cheers,
Bernhard