Russ IF Scott can do what you need please go with him. IF not then I will help you as much as needed.
I am retired and do not want to compete with people making a living from screenwork, programming, etc.
I help anyone or small shops with CNC stuff but do NOT compete for business. It would not be fair.
I seemed to have inadvertently stepped on a nerve wasn't meaning to Terry.....
Further, I was NOT offering to do his job for pay, was just trying to help the user community, 99.999% of everything I post here.
Is and has been for free to help users, and has been that way for years.
I only charge someone when they want a project done to make income with. If it is for personal non-commercial use,
and IF, I have the time, and the solution is not deeply involved. I usually post a solution for that (or it something I think is cool).
I will bow out of this thread, Terry had it well under control, and I was just adding a 2 cent comment.
P.S. After re-reading what he is saying and wanting to do. I think given some of his critical requirements that M3 can't do, or do well.
I would go with a PLC (with a motion card(s) depending on number of axis). You could spend more money on buying a compatible HMI,
BUT, you could use M3 as a Cheap HMI, that sits on top of the PLC and is just the UI for the PLC over TCP modbus.
Terry, BTW: I STILL want one of your Grinder Wizards......... Please, Please, Please....
Scott