Having seen a few videos lately, I've been looking into Ethercat options, and see there is the Kingstar option for Mach 4.

Does anybody know the costs involved?
I'm aware of the automationtechnologies prebuilt option, but the cost to get that system shipped to the UK makes it extremely costly, so I'm looking at just the software cost, or even if it's available on it's own.

Hi,

so I'm looking at just the software cost, or even if it's available on it's own.

Even if the software is available on its own, I think you will save pennies but cost yourself pounds. Firstly, the PC is somewhat specialized,
it does not have a regular Ethernet port, but a card that allows for realtime Ethernet. The software is the Interval Zero realtime core and the Kingstar
Ethercat plugin and Mach4. If you were trying to buy a cut down version I would ask if they will sell the PC including all the software preinstalled
but excluding monitor/keyboard etc.

The next issue is whether you go with the Ethercat steppers/drivers or the Ethercat servos supplied by automationtechnologies. Supposedly any Ethercat
capable device from any manufacturer will work with any Ethercat system....the reality is a little different. If you came unstruck trying to get your own supplied
servos to work you are a long way from automationtechnologies support and they can claim that you supplied the servos so its your fault.

I suspect the reason they offer the complete package, aside from maximizing profit, is so that they can minimize the aftersales support issues. If you short circuit
that, then that is where I expect it could cost you pounds rather than the pennies you saved.

Craig

I didn't ask for opinions, I asked for costs

But just to clarify some of the points you made.
The PC isn't that specialised. It mostly needs to be a suitable spec, with a supported network card, which Kingstar provide a list of on their website. The list reveals it requires certain Intel network chips.

As for supported drives, it's largely no different from any other common standards. Yes, there will likely be some variations in how protocols are implemented, but that wasn't what I was asking about.
I was asking about the actual availability/cost of the software, so I can consider if it's a feasible option to try, but it's looking like my Mach4 license can keep sitting gathering dust :/

Hi,
when I evaluated the costs about 18 months ago to decide whether I would implement Kingstar Ethercat or a regular PC/Mach4/ESS/BoB
I came to the conclusion that Ethercat was going to cost $1600 (PC plus licenses) verses $1000 (PC/License/ESS/BoB), using the advertised
prices.

Craig