Galil HELP DMC-1842

[bryan1234]

Ahhhh the age old debate. Camsoft or Mach 3. We currently have a 3 axis 6'X12' router using a Galil DMC-1842 card. We are running a private labeled version of Camsoft but want to upgrade our machine.

Should we use the DMC-1842 with Mach 3 or scrap the card and use a different card all together? If so what card??? The next step up from the DMC-1842 is nearly twice the price.Thank you for any input. 

[smurph]

There really should be no debate.    Mach3 and the 1842 will work well.

[bryan1234]

Have you any experience with upgrading the firmware on the 1842?

[smurph]

I have not upgraded an 1842, but I have upgraded 1760s, 2172s, 1425s, 1348s, 2180s, etc...  They are all very similar.  What version does it have now?

[bryan1234]

Believe it or not version 1. It is from 2001 and has never been upgraded.

[smurph]

All have version 1.  There is a minor level specified by a letter.  1.0q is the latest for the 18x2.  There should be no problem updating the firmware on your controller.  You do it through SmartTerm.  Download the 1.0q firmware from Galil and give it a shot.  It will probably take about 5 minutes total. 

[MOTU]

No brainer.
Mach3 is SO MUCH better than camsoft.
The only problem we had was why we didn't do it sooner.
Like going from a model T to a Porsche.

[smurph]

  That's what I like to hear! 

[bryan1234]

What version of Camsoft were you using? How long ago was that? What do you like about Camsoft vs. Mach? I always hate hearing one is better than another with out hearing the details. What does your set up look like? Are you using Mach in an industrial setting or is it for private use? Were you the original owner of the Camsoft software?

I have heard people say they like one vs the other and the other vs that one but with little information to go with the opinion. The comparison of a Porsche to a Model T is perplexing. As I have heard close to the opposite as well yet little deatails to go with the metaphor.

I'd really like to know direct comparisons, Pros and Cons from a first persons point of view who has spent time with both products.

Thank you for any information.

I think I will have to use Camsoft as my Pacific Scientific PMA24C servos use resolvers and it looks like Mach will not support them. I find the Camsoft software to be a great value. As it seems they offer a lot of support, product details, and extensive manuals. Invaluable if you are in an industrial setting where time lost on a machine could mean thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in lost time and product.

[smurph]

Why would resolvers be a problem?  I have Seidel motors that use resolvers.  The drive amps accept the resolver input and output quadrature to the Galil.  So why is that a Mach incompatibility? 

Mach and Galil is really a nice solution.

Steve