[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Linux article -- corporate desktop adoptionwill slowly changethe consumer

[Alvin Goats]

> It seems to me that manufacturers of machine tools would stand to benefit
> greatly from running Linux on their machines - and that in turn ought to
> push software like AutoCAD to cross-platform solutions.   I thought AutoCAD
> already ran on some other UNIX systems (I vaguely recall seeing IRIX and
> Solaris versions in the dim and distant past) - so it might not actually
> be that hard to port.

AutoCAD really did have a version back around 1980 or so on Unix
machines. But, they have bought into the Microsoft way and are a high
member of the BSA (Business Software Alliance). All conversations with
AutoCAD indicate it will be a cold day in Hades before they port.
SolidEdge is more likely, however (Unigraphics Software is owned by
EDS).

A lot of companies have a fondness for Linux in machine assembly and
operation. First and foremost, it multitasks! This allows the equipment
to do multiple things at one time and do so faster. Consider picking up
a part, testing it's value, taking a digital picture of the part,
compensating for rotation and x,y offset, finding the position it has to
mate with on a PC board and then placing the part on the board. Now do
this at 2,000 to 12,000 times per hour. Windows doesn't cut it. 

CNC equipment like mills, lathes, drills and the like are not all PC
based. Some are very custom systems with proprietary software controls.
However, they read dxf, gerber and IGES files very well. If you expect
them to "upgrade" into the 21st century, consider that it would require
replacing the mill, which often runs about $1 million. 

One of the issues that frequently happens is this:

Software is upgraded with new features. 
The features are great for the engineer/designer.
The features are INcompatable with the CNC equipment.
The design has to be "saved as" a much earlier version that the CNC
equipment recognizes.

>From the viewpoint of someone who deals with this every week, if you can
design a CADD package or modify one of the existing Linux packages (FYI,
you CAN get the source code to BRL-CAD from the Army), and make the
software totally compatable to all version levels back to AutoCAD 10,0
(dwg, dxf), keep the pricing reasonable, then you will have a major
market. And you'll make me happy by giving me a tool I need on a
superior OS.

Alvin