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Philosophy of CamSoft's Open PC Based Control
Serviceability, Upgradeability, Parts Supply Chain, Logic and
Installation time
From a general sense we are speaking about a philosophy that divides the
models of CNC controllers into two categories. One's that are made by
a manufacture that use proprietary parts opposed to the philosophy of
an open, flexible PC Based control system that uses non-proprietary off
the shelf , store bought Windows based computers and boards offered by
multiple vendors.
Using a proprietary system means that the manufacturer is the sole source
for parts and service, years from now. Usually there are no cheap parts
plus service calls are expensive. The philosophy that CamSoft has is that
we feel it's better to use off the shelf computers and boards that can
be purchased by the end user directly from multiple sources in United
States and Canada. We believe it's best to have multiple companies to
shop from. That allows you to shop around if you need parts years from
now. We also have dozens of service people in United States and Canada
plus a few in Europe and Asia. For example if your machine goes down on
a Saturday, you could literally use another office computer to get yourself
going again. Ask yourself how long would it take to get a part and a service
call from a proprietary controller? Also think of the cost difference
in PC parts verses proprietary parts.
CamSoft systems are scaleable, meaning user upgradeable and user serviceable.
We have a generous software upgrade policy. Once a proprietary controller
is installed, ask about the cost to add extra linear axes, rotary axes,
new pendants, graphics, more I/O , memory storage, Network connections,
CAD Links or extra G and M codes.
Generally speaking it would take only 1/4 to 1/2 the time to install a
PC based controller over a proprietary controller that still uses physical
PLC's and ladder logic. The more complicated the machines logic gets the
bigger our advantage since the PC becomes the PLC and does the logic in
the computer. No need to trace down the old wires and decipher ladder
logic PIC or PAL programs to figure out how they worked. Most retrofitters
of proprietary controls almost always quote new PLC's which cost thousands
of extra dollars to purchase, install and program.
We include dozens and dozens of pre-written logic routines in plain text files on our installation CD. With our vast library of dozens of pre-written logic routines available to you for just about every tool changer, turret, jog stick, hand wheel, homing routine, spindle type or probe, you can relax and forget about ladder logic.
CamSoft offers a much easier logic programming method using simple commands
that are referenced by terminal strip number or descriptive names. This
method is preferred by installers who need to diagnose, modify and test
the logic before they begin physical wiring. This is the only method that
allows remote I/O logic diagnostics via a modem. We have our own I/O logic,
which is much easier than learning PLC ladder logic. It even provides
for very complex multiple I/O threads whereas ladder logic is sequential
and only branches off. Hundreds of every type of command including IF
THEN, LOOPS, TIMERS and WAITUNTIL are provided in simple to read text
files that compile when the system starts. We use several manufacturers’
I/O boards to give a wide choice of inputs/outputs. CamSoft wrote its
own assembler drivers to access these cards in the unprecedented 10 KHz
range.
Most retrofitters of proprietary controllers may also quote new motors
and drives, even if the existing motors are still working. Simply because
they can't communicate or talk to just any motor type. They prefer to
replace the motors and amps because the signals are not the same or they
would face a servo tuning problem. With CamSoft we offer a automatic self
tuning program for all types of motors that are AC, DC, Brush, Brushless,
PWM, Hydraulic or Stepper. Keeping your existing motors and drives would
save thousands of dollars hardware and mounting cost.
12 reasons to go with CamSoft....
-
For both CNC and general factory automation
We offer the best prices for OEMs and dealers. We have four software
packages.
(a) CNC Professional. For the serious machinist who wants the best.
(b) CNC Plus. Good Functionality and Good Value.
(c) CNC Lite. If quality and price are what you are looking for.
(d) Graphical Operator Interface. For all general automation and non-CNC
applications.
- Your choice of turnkey or do-it-yourself components.
Packages for the OEM, Retrofitter, System Integrator or End user. Turnkey,
ready-to-mount professional CNC enclosures or separately sold software
and hardware components. Spare parts are based on off-the-shelf PC sources.
In case of future repair, the system is based on a standard Windows
PC design and spare parts are available from many sources. You can also
keep your existing motors. The obvious benefit is consistency from job
to job utilizing one software package for all machine types. You can
become proficient at CamSoft and you do not need to continually address
learning curves.
- Easy installation.
We have an open PC based system that is user configurable without the
need for Visual Basic, C++ or learning ladder logic unless you want
to use our API DLLs. Therefore, our system is much easier to install
yourself and configure the screens and logic by a regular person with
only the knowledge of how to use Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7. No third party digital I/O ladder logic software is needed.
- Experience.
Our company experience and know how servicing America's largest corporations,
Government facilities and Universities with over 8,000 systems sold
worldwide since 1981 is a comforting factor.
- Picture-to-part, Graphics-to-motion.
This is the only system available with our own integrated CAD/CAM, which
means the graphics on the CAD/CAM screen is shared with the CNC Controller.
There is no need to write, save or load G code programs unless you want
to. The picture on the screen can come from many CAD file formats, which
may be turned into motion without post processors or G code. Many company
managers and owners like this idea better.
- Still be able to run your pre-existing old G code part programs.
We accept over 700 formats of G&M codes from most other CNC controls,
not just Fanuc. In a retrofit of on older machine tool you can configure
the G and M code tables to allow existing old programs to run in the
new PC based controller without re-writing or editing them. Then, within
10 seconds, switch to a more modern G code standard.
- Dual 32-bit CNC controller for mold makers and high speed machining.
The fastest system available using Dual 32-bit processors. We close
the servo loop with a dedicated 32-bit processor in hardware, not in
Windows.
- Patented Proprietary Integrated 3D and 5-axis Tool Compensation
Technology.
The only company with 3D and 5-axis Tool Compensation inside the CNC
Controllers. Not just G41 and G42 2D tool comp but new G codes to accomplish
simultaneous tool/offset compensation with gouge protection in multiple
axes. 3D Volumetric compensation, maps curves and bows in table. On
the fly grinding wheel compensation as defined sample period and offset.
- Open, Flexible and Easily Customizable?
No proprietary hardware
We use all off-the-shelf PC components
Multiple sources for hardware
Self-maintainable and serviceable
Keep your existing motors and amps
Uses Servo AC, DC, Velocity mode, Current mode, Brush, Brushless, PWM,
Stepper or Hydraulic.
Servo loop closed in software or hardware
HMI, CNC, Digital I/O, Analog and Logic in one software package
No third-party SoftPLC language to run or buy
No Visual Basic or C++ required
Open enough for many first time users to do self-installation
Software bundled or unbundled from hardware
API, DLL, ActiveX, Network or RS232
Unlimited real-time data collection
Remote operation and machine monitoring
Self-diagnostics tests for motors, analog, encoders and I/O
Automatic servo tuning software
Table of 199 user-definable G & M codes each
Create and customize G & M codes without using VB or C++
Create and customize hundreds of specialized macro routines
Dozens of logic examples for many types of hardware
Provided Tool changers, Homing routines, Jogging devices, Turrets &
Rotary tables
Provided Gear changing, Probes, Handwheels, Canned cycles & Timed
events
Provided Blade/Knife functions & Material height sensing
Visual Mid-program restart reads previous blocks to pick up offsets,
tools, speeds and feeds.
Hundreds of fixture, tool and part offsets
Single operating system environment
No need to run or buy third-party kernels or operating systems
Single or Dual CPUs -- one for the HMI and one to close the servo loop
Use a motion card or use a software driver
Industrial or office PCs supported
User-installable and upgradeable
User-configurable operator interface
User-configurable hardware
Add more resale value to your machine than you put into it
Supports user independence
- NO external PLC devices or ladder logic is needed.
CamSoft offers a much easier logic programming method using simple commands
that are referenced by terminal strip number or descriptive names. This
method is preferred by installers who need to diagnose, modify and test
the logic before they begin physical wiring. This is the only method
that allows remote I/O logic diagnostics via a modem. We have our own
I/O logic, which is much easier than learning PLC ladder logic. It even
provides for very complex multiple I/O threads whereas ladder logic
is sequential and only branches off. Hundreds of every type of command
including IF THEN, LOOPS, TIMERS and WAITUNTIL are provided in simple
to read text files that compile when the system starts. We use several
manufacturers’ I/O boards to give a wide choice of inputs/outputs.
CamSoft wrote its own assembler drivers to access these cards in the
unprecedented 10 KHz range.
- What about Documentation?
CamSoft is committed to updating our documentation and do so along with providing product enhancements every Friday afternoon. These weekly updates are not counted as version releases. We believe we have the most completely documented CNC system on the market by far. Written professionally by people with degrees in computer science from North Eastern University graduating summa cum laude. The contributors of the technical information come from many of America's major corporations along with our own technical engineering staff that actually pioneered the PC based CNC industry from it's beginnings in the 1970's. We know this business and our product well. The staff is devoted to maintaining the quality, organization and accuracy of the technical content so that it is always updated as hardware & technology changes.
The documentation is massive. We are old fashion and still provide a lot of our documentation in printed form. Depending on the product ordered, there are 2-5 printed manuals (Hardware Wiring Charts, Installation Guide , Customization of Screen Design, IO Logic commands and Internal Functionality, CAD/CAM part design, G codes, Tool Path & Post Processor writing) which average over 400 to 600 pages in each manual plus 3 CD's (approx 1,800 megabytes) of electronic on-line tutorials containing detailed hardware wiring charts, settings, usage information, graphically animated wiring connection tutorials, 4 hour long animated Study Guide and walk through. In addition to this printed and animated movie style documentation there is a Data Base which can be electronically searched that far exceeds the information contained in printed form. It is a quick detailed way to find answers called Search for Solutions on the main CNC Set up window. You can search for answers using key words like a web-browser or else click on the Help-Index Search button on the Search for Solution window to have access to most (not all) of the documentation in the printed manuals. The Search for Solutions window actually contains much more documentation than the printed manual do, but on the other hand the printed manuals show many more charts and diagrams that the on-line search doesn't. So in essence you need all the printed manuals and CD's to have access to the full documentation.
You may register on our web-site to receive a Newsletters that will keep you up to date.
- What about Operator Interface and User Screens?
The user interface can be as feature rich or as simplistic as you want. There are many choices for the person(s) installing the system that will give them full access in setting up the operator screen so that they may create their own desired personal look & feel plus provide separate functionality per each machine operator. There can be several operator screens saved and restored on the same machine that suit each persons taste in the matter of a few seconds. The quality and functions on each of these screens can be as graphically flashy or simple as you want. You may choose to display a modern screen as seen at a trade show you recently visited or else display a replica of the original machine interface.
We will provide a generic default operator screen made for your machine based on your description that will be made from similar machine that someone else already paid for and got working. We remove their company logo and replace the bitmaps they used with more generic image. To dress up the user interface you may browse through our CD which contains hundreds of bitmaps that you are welcome to use. Some very attractive and others plain. Or else you can use a digital camera and take photos of your favorite brand of CNC and paste those images of buttons, light bulbs, knobs, gauges ect... on the CamSoft screen in the exact same order and layout assigning the same functionally to each control shown. We have over 64+ installers and dealers that also provide on-site installation and application assistance to follow your specifications.
More benefits & reasons to go with
CamSoft
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