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Second Annual Mach3 Convention - SE (MCSE)
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Location: Lake City, Tennessee at a local "Community Center"
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=lake%20city+tennessee&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=titleDates: February 21-22, 2009 (Saturday/Sunday)
Optional Date: February 20, 2009 (Friday) Dependant upon amount of interest in Advanced topics (i.e. OEM/Power User level stuff).
Like last year, we will have "Door Prize” drawings again during the event.
The Advanced Topics will be: 1). A "Crash Course" on C++ Plugins for Mach3We will have a 30 year programming veteran there to go into DEEP geek-speak, plus I will show some of my own plug in work for "Practical applications" (read that as stuff you can use in the real world), (this class Will really just be going over the Plug in template, its functions, and we will make a Simple plug in with dialog, during the class, it will NOT be a C++ teaching class).
2). Advanced Flash Programming by Jason ZealousHe will be getting into deeper Action Script and possible component design. He should have his Screen IDE done by then, and will go over the use of it for Quick Development Custom Screen work.
3). "Intelligent I/O"Interfacing Mach to PLC's and using Analog modules, HS counter modules, E-Com Modules, D-Com modules, Drop networks for multiple PLC's. (We’ll assume you already know how to program Ladder logic and we will be covering ADC products only). If time permits, we will dig into Modbus DATA/Control of multiple AC servo Drives.
4). Complex ATC M6 macrosNOTE: Only if time permits and the interest is there. The magic number will be about 20+ participants to warrant the hassle of the extra day.
If enough interest is shown to make another day financially feasible, then those that want to take the Advanced class will pay an extra $50.00 above the existing two day price.
NOTE: If you only just want the Advanced class and will not be staying for the Saturday/Sunday, then just $50.00.
Current Instructors:Basic Mach3: Derek "Hill Billy" Ashburn
Intermediate Mach3: Scott "Poppa Bear" Shafer
Advanced Mach3: (if enough interest here).
C++: Ed "Crazy Hair" Bryson
Action script/Flash: Jason "Zealous" Blake (Grand master flash).
PLC's, Modbus, Brains: Scott "Poppa Bear" Shafer
Vendors Committed to Participate:
Vectric - Tony McKenzie
http://vectric.com/TEA Machine Components - Amy
http://www.teausa.net/Dave Controls - Dave may be bringing some demo machine items
Requested Vendors not yet committed:Mach3 - Brian/Art to speak this year.
Warp9 Tech Design - Smooth Stepper - Greg
Safeguard Robotics - CNC Brain - Bruce
Gecko - Mariss Freimanis
CNC4PC - Arturo Duncan
Campbell Products - Bob Campbell
PDMX - Steve
Digital Machine Magazine Reporter
Vendors/Sponsors: If you want to participate you will need to contact me. Please include information regarding your space needs, what you want to show, and give away as a door prize (if you want).
Other Items for Consideration:Swap Meet: If you guys want a Swap Meet, let me know and I will arrange some Outdoor space; you will need to bring your OWN tables.
The Facility:The Main room will be an "Indoor Basketball court". There is NO bleacher space but, it does have about 10' of perimeter around the court.
There are only 110V outlets available, so if you plan on bringing a "Demo" machine that requires 220V or greater, you will need to bring your own generator. There
aren't any 3 phase connections that I can have access to but you can bring your own power.
Legalese: Neither the city, nor myself are liable if you turn yourself into a crispy critter!Some of you might want to bring an extra 110V Generator. If you do bring one, let me know and I will discount your entry fee. There are several wall plugs available and I think they carry enough amps to handle all the laptops and stuff. Also, please feel free to bring an extra powerstrip in case we have to share more resources than we think.
I have access to about 80 chairs and enough "Banquet Tables" to where most can sit comfortably. We have room if we need to run a class "Outside". The back door opens up to a football field complete with covered spectator awnings. Therefore, some of the classes could be outdoors, but personal generators will be needed to power those stations.
The Facility has soft drink and snack machines. It even has a little
Kitchenette with a microwave. We will NOT be doing an on-site food service this year. The individual that catered last year’s event really didn’t break even. That being said, please be advised that you are on your own for food.
There is plenty of parking at the Community Center.
Restaurants:Dominos Pizza (that delivers)
Subway
Cracker Barrel
McDonalds
Sonic
KFC
Taco Bell
La Fiesta (Great Mexican Restaurant)
Accommodations:I will check with the hotel by the Mexican restaurant to see if they will give a reduced convention price, but I would need to know IN ADVANCE if you plan to attend and stay with them. You would probably have to prepay for the room as well. If you don’t stay there you lose your money. Both of these hotels are small time private owned "No Checks" establishments.
RVs: There are some rental slots by Norris Lake within the State Park which is about 15 minutes from the center.
State Parks: The Norris and Norris Dam area are also a cool place to drop off extra passengers in your vehicle. They can enjoy the nature trails, parks, take the Norris Dam tour, etc.
Cove Lake is one exit north and has a playground and nice lake view, although in Feb, it is probably going to be cold outside.
Well Known Hotels: There are your standard "Known" Hotels about one exit, both up and down from the Lake City Exits off of I-75.
Also check out this site:
http://www.norrislakeinfo.comCultural things to do in and around Lake City: Wife Occupiers: There is a "Wife Magnet store", oops I mean "Wally-world" one exit down toward Knoxville.
Wife and/or Family: The Museum of the Appalachia
www.museumofappalachia.orgThey would have to drive into Knoxville to do anything else like movies or more mainstream restaurants, The Evil Chucky-Cheesses, etc. There is a relatively new "Turkey Creek" development area that you don’t EVER want your wife to find out about. It has every shopping storefront imaginable in a nice "expensive" part of town. Wife goes one way, Checking balance goes toward 0 or lower........ (You've been warned).
The proposed setup so far:I did look at more "Professional" convention Halls in Downtown Knoxville, but the price was beyond my ability to count on my fingers and toes, so unless there were at least 500 or more people, that venue is a no-go.
We may be getting "creative" in how we do our classes. I suspect we may divide up the gym into two or three sections and try our best to not shout over each other. Depending on weather conditions (if it is NOT to darn cold), we may move some classes outside under the awnings for outdoor classes. Like the saying goes, "If you don't like the weather in East Tennessee, wait 5 minutes".
I am trying to keep a balance between space and participant cost. If I go fancier, then it runs the cost up per participant, so you may have to deal with some less than perfect "class rooms".
HELP WANTED!!!: I will be begging Chris Scott again to run the overall "Big Picture"/MC since without compare, he made it all flow as good as it could last event.
I NEED: People who would be willing to bring Projectors/screens and cameras that could hook and feed directly those same projectors to show the hardware of other thing being discussed so that those at the back of the class can also see what is going on. If you have PA equipment you're willing to bring, I will trade depending on what all you bring to lower or remove your fee to attend. (Obviously the more value you contribute the closer to zero your fee will be).
I would like: One or two extra 110v gas operated generators with extension cords and power strips to handle overflow laptops, displays, etc. One fee waved per generator brought and it will need to at least feed 30 amps total/general.
Helpers "General": People who could help with the flow, last minute changes, setting up the above equipment, general Flunkies, I will reduce your fee depending on what you can do, only spots for about 2-3 people here.
Presenters:If you would like to give a class on a product or subject matter that would be applicable to use with Mach3, let me know and I will slot you in.
You can Email me at: PoppaBear(at)hughes.net for questions (replace "(at)" with "@" ).
Scott
(rewritten by Vogavt for better readability, IMHO)