Bill Shields wrote:believe it or not, the original MasterCAM ran on an apple. I don't know how many they sold but that is where it started.
If you don't believe me, call Tolland and ask one of the brothers.
MasterCAM used to purchase software from me back in the late 80's and early 90's.
The large size of machines does not make them complex.
Anything with a single spindle and single tool is cakewalk.
You have no idea of obscure until you try to run 11 axes in 4 programs with 3 tools cutting simultaneously on two spindles.
Bill,
You seem very knowledgeable about MasterCAM. When I was in the trade, I spoke to Mark and Brian many times at seminars they gave on the West Coast. They always listened to clients and users and willingly accepted input to improve their product. That version of MasterCAM was NOT owned by CNC Software. When CNC bought it, it was only then that it was run on PC based machines. MasterCAM was a totally different iteration at that early time. WAS NOT and IS not close to the software CNC introduced in 1985. The first version I used was 2.1 and that was based on early DOS. Versions 3.1 and 4, were based on DOS 3.2. Finally CNC went to a Windows/icon based software with V10. Since retiring in 2003, I don't even recognize MasterCam now.
A quote from CNC's company profile......"Founded in 1984, CNC Software is one of the oldest companies in the PC-based CAD/CAM industry.The original version of Mastercam was founded in two-dimensional (2D) CAM. Mastercam was one of the first micro-based CAM packages to include CAD capabilities which allowed the user to construct his or her own parts quickly and easily. Shortly after CNC Software got its start in Massachusetts, the company moved its base of operation to an office in Vernon, Connecticut. Today, the CNC Software corporate headquarters and training facility is located in a company- owned 40,000 sq. ft. building in Tolland, Connecticut, midway between Boston and New York City. In addition to over 85 employees working at the corporate facility, CNC Software also has an office in the state of Washington dedicated to the educational market."
You missed my point on the Seeburg. Large size had nothing to do with what I was saying. The Italian controller was the main point. Because you mention 11 axes in 4 programs with 3 tools, I have to assume you sold post processors to MasterCAM. Correct? I agree that single spindle and single tool is a cakewalk (your words, not mine). IF you were producing post processors for them, then my hat's off to you! Not many folks can do this especially in multiple axis work! I have "edited" posts for my own use on "odd" machines and it can be a nightmare. Getting back to my original point, it's the post processor that makes the software work, no MATTER what software out there! I think OUR discussion with MasterCAM has left the majority of folks on this thread and we are really "getting down in the weeds" (as they say in politics) with this.
I truly wish that MasterCAM would introduce a version I could run on my MacBook now. The version of MasterCAM I run now (strictly for hobby work) is so old that if I upgrade to V19, my pc on XP Pro won't run it! I have heard rumors over the years that there would be a Mac version "someday", but not yet.
I really enjoy this discussion, but I believe the OP is probably totally confused now.