Re: COVID 19 VENTILATORS ARE EVERYWHERE
Originally Posted by
taxslave
Again, more of the same. I realized on the weekend I was in the wrong place trying to discuss writing underlying programs in CNC equipment to general operators. I've since moved on to discussions with a group that write software for various functions including robotics. A lot of ideas on the many ways this could easily function are a result. Thank you for trying though. My mistake. Simply the wrong place for this discussion.
I don't think that anyone here said it's impossible to use a CNC controller/machine/robot to perform a repetitive task such as operating a bellows, of course that is possible. We are arguing is that it is not practical. Not to mention moving a CNC machine to the victim or vice-versa would be a logistical nightmare.
On the low end, the hobby class Windows based systems are for the most part very limited in functionality but still could provide rudimentary operation. While somewhat flexible in the programming depending on the system, the hardware just doesn't have the capability of sophisticated operations outside of the design parameters.
The high end CNC machines have software and controllers that are pretty much locked down, not re-programmable at the user level, and will only provide the functionality that is factory programmed in, but still could be used to perform a repetitive task by using a loop in the G code.
Both of the above could be used to operate something similar to a hand operated bagging system, but that is about the limitation of their capabilities, not because they are a bad system, but rather they were designed for a specific task that they do very well and don't lend themselves to much adaptability.
There is another class of controllers that are programmable, and most can be programmed with a Windows (or Linux) based computer. I'm not going to try to list all of the available controllers here, but I think most of us know what is available. Suffice it to say that they range from Arduino and similar devices, to industrial controllers. These are designed to be user programmed to perform any task required, depending on the capabilities of the specific device.
I'm not even going to try to address the electromechanical hardware requirements for such a system.
The better use of our machines is to support the proven systems that are already in place.
Jim Dawson
Sandy, Oregon, USA