Tonight we discussed some details regarding the Phlatprinter USB CNC Electronics package and had a couple of special guests, Dennis Green 1277, and Glen Evil tunes. We build three of the Phlatboyz planes getting ready for an indoor flyin' the next night. This show was full of information and a lot of fun!


Here is the link to the USB controller we plan on using and talk about on the show! Click on software to the left and you can download the latest version to try out.
http://www.planet-cnc.com/


Here is a pic of the 4 axis driver board was plan to use




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The first post has been updated! This is going to be awesome guys
Mark and Trish

 

I wouldn't really expect that there is any "bad blood" involved in the PhlatBoyZ' decision to go another route with the electronics package that they will be providing.

From what I know of Mark and Trish, their decisions are always made with the sole purpose of offering PhlatPrinter customers the best product at the best price, with that product having the greatest opportunity for long term value. As well, the newest USB consideration will allow existing PhlatPrinter owners an opportunity to upgrade to the newest technology without having to throw out their existing EZ-CNC cards (or whatever cards they may be using - Geckos, HobbyCNC, etc.).

As well, the previous card that was explored was not "open source" like the new consideration is, meaning that we, as a collaborative group, can never REALLY be in control of our future.

I, for one, am quite excited about this new technology. I expect that this new workflow will prove to be optimal, and a workflow that I will want to incorporate into my existing CNC machines. The cool thing about it is that all I will need to buy is a couple of the USB boards and I will be able to bring my MKII and my big FLA 3x3 machines up to date. If we were to go to GasMasher's card, it would mean that I would be forced to live with two workflows in my workshop - even if I chucked out my EZ-CNC card on the MKII for Tim's card (at an expected significant expense), at minimum I would still not be able to go that route on the big CNC (I seriously doubt that Tim's card would be capable of running my big machine in place of my Gecko G540 card).

Let's face it, the PhlatPrinter technology has been moving pretty fast (the first two CNC's are no longer in production and we're already on the 3rd generation machine and the PhlatBoyZ business is only slightly older than 2 years). That is an incredible evolution! Perhaps some folks have felt "left behind" with their previous investments in PhlatBoyZ machines, and there's not anything wrong with those older machines. In addition to making the PhlatBoyZ CNC solutions even BETTER for the rankest beginners looking to get into this crazy CNC stuff, the owners of the older machines will also be able to follow the "path to the future" with the least expensive out-of-pocket investment (should they opt to).

I've said all of this to support why "I" think M&T have decided on the route that they're going. I could certainly be way off base here, though..

I feel that Tim has a product that is going to be superb and will revolutionize the Hobby CNC world, even if it doesn't quite fit in with the PhlatBoyZ plan at this time. In fact, I expect that I will be buying one when they become available. I have also been waiting for him to give me the "thumbs up" when he's ready with it so I can get him on my little show to tell the world about it. It's gonna be so cool!

 

chawkiz, welcome to the Phlatforum!

Mark and Trish

 

Well said Mike thank you In this weeks show viewtopic.php?f=180&t=2193#p22364 we try to explain a little more on the details of using the usb/easycnc card combo, but the main reason is that we can all use any driver card of our choice with the right cable. The easycnc card for us has proven its worth and so we have decided to stay with that one.
Mark and Trish

 

Awesome Kwok Thank you
Mark and Trish

 

Kwoks got it right, it comes with everything you need You can buy without the easycnc driver board if you would like. We will be bringing the USB board and cable option for the easy cnc driver board as a separate option to the Phlatstore soon as well.
Its is really crazy exciting here!
Thanks guys and thank you Kwok for your continued support.
Mark and Trish

 

Try www.planet-cnc.com for the usb to cnc board
Mark and Trish