FABMO Status

[JimmyD]

Does anyone have an update of the status of the long awaited FABMO controller?

This was previously discussed at length with many claims made of completion timeframes in the thread:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?24425-Post-Processor-Modification

I still need to solve my USB comm errors and would like to know if FABMO is being beta tested, is in production or what?

Anyone know anything?

Thanks,
Jim

[jerry_stanek]

You may want to take a look at this link from Gary Campbell

https://www.centroidcnc.com/shopbot_gcnc.html

[srwtlc]

No real info/updates for you Jim, but I stopped beta/release candidate testing it more than 6 months ago and by checking the Github site for it every so often, I've seen little to no progress/activity.

I've since moved on and comm errors are a distant memory.

[srwtlc]

You can check out FabMo here (https://github.com/FabMo).

[gerald_martin]

JimmyD: With all due respect if you are serious about resolving the comm errors you may want to look at other control solutions for your ShopBot. I was in the same situation, and waited (for years) for the promised solution that was in the pipeline. It didn't come in time for me. To me, it appears that SB has chosen to focus more on small hobbyist machines and less on stable production workhorse CNC routers. Too bad - but the loss is theirs, not yours. You are a machine owner, you have options. Centroid CNC software and control hardware is on a roll - it's production ready and gaining more "router specific" features (it was originally more mill oriented). The photos on Centroid's website linked above are my PRS Alpha 96-60 that Gary Campbell did a full conversion on - Centroid Acorn based control system and Clearpath SDSK servos. It's a different machine entirely. I can heartily recommend Gary for his expertise and knowledge. And - Gary will tell you the truth. Even if you don't want to hear it. Even when you struggle to believe it.

And - to all my friends at ShopBot....WHY? Why the hangup on embracing a more robust control solution? Why not use any of the existing superb CNC controllers on the market - and focus on tool mechanics? Why not Centroid? WinCNC? UCCNC? The Centroid Acorn control is, it seems, a near perfect match for ShopBot hardware...There is no shame in using someone else's product and making it your own! Why not be an OEM building with Centroid components! You already do this - in using Oriental Motor, BWC, etc. You could even offer upgrade kits for existing machines...Surely your lab has hooked up an Acorn in the lab just to see how a ShopBot runs on it? Hey - for $300 who wouldn't? Start shipping tools with software and computer preloaded and preconfigured! Now - Imagine CNC12 Software loading - with a ShopBot splash screen? Get the picture?

Anyway - no anger, not even disappointment anymore, for me, because I have found my path forward. I'm watching - with fascination - to see how ShopBot comes up with a real solution to the comm errors. For me that's where this started. I just couldn't rely on the machine to run without hiccups. And for me, that issue has been resolved.

My best to all of you out there - ShopBot CNC included!

Gerald Martin

[tlempicke]

Gerald
My first shopbot was in the 1990's and I am now on my fourth. I decided last Fall to upgrade the electronics. I am just ready to make chips and it appears that this is going to be a great upgrade for the machine. It is faster, more accurate and most importantly WORKS each and every time.
The whole Shopbot thing is a good concept. A machine that you might actually afford that can do a lot of what the big brother industrial machines can do. But technology marches on! Controllers and motors and all the other gear is cheaper and more available than ever.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32931&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32932&stc=1

[Neonguy65]

I upgraded my PRT to the Centroid Acorn with pendant and couldn't be happier. A totally different machine

[gerald_martin]

Hello Shopbot? 3 full business days later - does anyone from SB have an update for the original poster - and others who care about the continued success of ShopBot - on the status of FABMO?

[gerald_martin]

I'm certainly not trying to flame ShopBot. I bought 2 full size tools new from them - one a PRT, the current one a PRS Alpha. I have a local friend and ShopBot Alpha owner in need of a control upgrade as well. Maybe ShopBot has an upgrade path in development that they have not revealed yet to resolve the USB comm errors, etc.

And, maybe no one over there monitors the forum regularly. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

My best to all,

Gerald Martin

[Chuck Keysor]

I looked at various YouTube posts on the Acorn control system, as well as the Centroid website........ So much information, it was actually overwhelming.

I noted that in the featured Shopbot upgrades, that everything in the control box was new, including the motors, the motor drivers and even the box. I didn't see any explanation of why the motors were scrapped.

But having an upgrade mapped out where you could keep the motors and as much other basic hardware as possible sure would be great. And being able to buy a retrofit kit from Shopbot would be great as far as I am concerned. Based on what I have seen, I would buy an Acorn upgrade kit from Shopbot tomorrow if they told me a tested system is available.

[tlempicke]

The Oriental Motors are getting to be old technology. Newer motors that provide a whole lot more OOmph in the same size package make the machine faster and more accurate. If you look at the pix that I posted earlier you will be able to see my new Clearpath motors. Those little guys can provide up to one horsepower in short bursts. They are completely computer controlled, have internal computers in each motor and I have them set up for 3200 pulses per revolution versus the 800 pulses that is baked in to the old ones. Not as important, but kind of nice, is that they are also silent in operation.
The Acorn operation program and interface is another nifty thing. I now have a touch screen and far more flexibility than I ever had with the Shopbot control setup. The picture I am attaching shows the interface on my 27 inch touch screen. NO ONE needs glasses to read this thing!http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32934&stc=1

[ken_rychlik]

The "lost comm" screen drove me to another brand long ago, but I still wish shopbot the best. I wonder if something like this would work? It would need to work backwards. Use the ethernet output on the pc and plug into the usb port on the bot controller. Anyone ever tried? https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-usb-3-0-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter-white/3510527.p?skuId=3510527

[bill_l]

Which Clearpath motors did you purchase?

[Chuck Keysor]

Thank you Tom for the added information on the value of the new motors.

As a budgetary estimate, about what does it cost to do the full Acorn upgrade if all the parts (control board, motors, power supply and misc) are purchased individually? And how much programming is involved? (I like putting electronics together, and have lots of experience doing that. But I never got into programming, even back in college I didn't like it, and over the years I took some computer classes at my community college, and just don't like it.......)

Does Aspire have a post processor made up for running an Acorn, or is custom programming :( required?

Thank you for your added input, Chuck

[srwtlc]

Chuck, all the info you're looking for as to purchasing a replacement system is here... http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=2147&start=10

If you are wanting to go the DIY route, there's plenty of information and documentation to be found on the forum and at the main site... https://www.centroidcnc.com/ There are many videos for installation and setup guidance as well.

As far as programming, none is needed unless you want to do some specialized things with macros (Many are built in and easily modified for personal use). The G-code feature set is extensive and you can do so many things with so much less effort. Vectric products include a post specifically for Centroid and it can also be easily modified to your liking or someone can fix you up with one.

[tomhartnett]

It is not often that I am able to check in to this forum. I was alerted to this thread earlier and wanted to clear up some misinformation.

As I've mentioned on this forum before, the "Comm error" issue with the SB3 control has a known resolution, the PC needs to be set up correctly. I've made many documentation references on how to do it including a step-by-step video series.

On top of this, we are selling a pre-set up laptop to control the tools if unable to get your PC set up in the correct fashion. I've already provided about 15 of these to customers in the world and we are using 3 in-house with zero reported issues after about 2 months of testing. Prior to this, we were selling a pre-set up mini-PC that also has had no reported issues aside from a faulty power adapter here and there.


There are two people working essentially full time on FabMo, as well as running it on most all of the machines we use in house and use at our shows. I am not however intimately involved with the development so I cannot speak to a date, but it is always possible to reach out to us for Beta testing.

Link to PC setup playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgsEVSRpJqM

[ron_moorehead]

I have been running a custom built PC with window XP for 3 years with no comm problems with my PRS Alpha, knock on wood, it is a production machine running about 5 hours a day per week. We are selling the company and I would like to get a smaller machine for personal use.

Does the new Desktops come with FabMo or are they still using the old control card?

[tomhartnett]

The Desktops are being sold with SB3 (old card) currently. It is the tool that FabMo will first be released on however and retrofitting an older DT with FabMo should also be a straightforward operation.

[JimmyD]

There are two people working essentially full time on FabMo, as well as running it on most all of the machines we use in house and use at our shows. I am not however intimately involved with the development so I cannot speak to a date, but it is always possible to reach out to us for Beta testing.


Tom,
I am intrigued by the representatives of shopbot continual lack of making any kind of commitment on the schedule for FABMO to be completed.

I am an engineer and have been volved in and led numerous high-tech developments for decades. These have always had a schedule because resources, people, money, etc. have to be allocated between competing needs. There had to be a planned completion date so that the resources and people could be used on other projects AND so that potential customers could be told when the product they wanted would be available.

I want to purchase a functional, fully tested, warrantied solution for communicating with my shopbot. I want to know when this item would be available and what the cost will be so that I can determine whether I should wait or go another route, such as Acorn or others.

If shopbot is, in fact, developing FABMO without a schedule, then I would suggest that it is not a serious effort, but one that happens whenever resources are idle and need something to do.

As you wrote, you are not involved with FABMO, so can you get someone who is involved and has the authority to speak, to give me the information I need?

Pretty simple request.

[tomhartnett]

The development of FabMo was delayed primarily by the discontinuation of the Intel Edison, FabMo was ready for release when the Edison was scrapped by Intel. This set development of the controller back by quite some time.

FabMo is essentially ready to deploy today, but we are in the process of adjusting and coming up with a release date due to this hardware issue. As mentioned, it is being run on most all of the machines we use in house and use at our shows. However, more features and overall ease of use are being worked on before deployment. If someone had to guess, it would be a month from now, but I'd prefer not to guess on a release date and have it come out when appropriate.

[tlempicke]

Tom

First of all look at the date I joined this forum. I currently own two shopbots, my fourth and fifth. I say this to let you know that I am a long time and truly committed fan.

I refer you to the history of the Eastman Kodak company. They were the first to do digital photography and they were damn good at it. They priced it high - because they were Kodak and they WERE photography. Essentially they removed themselves from the competition and felt that they were on another level. So technology just marched right around them. Today they are, for all intents, out of the marketplace.

That is what you are faced with right now. The first stumbling block you have is the fact that you have been selling 1990 software for a long time and your reputation has suffered. You have the best customer support in the business but then you have to have it. Before I would buy Fabmo I would have to be convinced that it is better than the other guys and that you are going to be around for the long run to support it. Technology has raced right around you. The Centroid product is far more robust and much better to work on. I own and work on both! All of us out here have had years to learn about CNC machining and we don't need to be protected from G code anymore.

The best way out of this swamp is to swallow your pride and quit shoveling sand against the tide. Get the competition to start producing Blue boards for you and call them Walnuts. Concentrate on your strength - producing an economical CNC machine for the Mom and Pop operations that can't afford a Komo. Most importantly a machine that works predictably each and every time you turn it on, even on a Sunday night!

[srwtlc]

Why doesn't someone at SBHQ go ahead and update the Fabmo Demo Page (http://demo.gofabmo.org/)? Let the customers see what it is and how it works, see the work flow and controls. I know it can be done, just set it up on your servers and have some kind of timed cue for people to check it out and see what you've been up to for 5+ years.

Obviously not connected to a tool though (although you could).:eek:

If I had a domain, I'd open mine up to see. Have the latest greatest running right here...

[dlcw]

It's really sad that ShopBot has fallen so far behind the technology curve with their offerings. :(:confused:

The only thing that keeps me on the SB platform is the fact that I'm heavily invested in Thermwood eCabinets and ShopBotLink. I'm over 60 and don't have many years left doing the level of work I do because of health issues so investing in and learning all new technology is not really a wise business decision for me.

[tlempicke]

It's really sad that ShopBot has fallen so far behind the technology curve with their offerings. :(:confused:

The only thing that keeps me on the SB platform is the fact that I'm heavily invested in Thermwood eCabinets and ShopBotLink. I'm over 60 and don't have many years left doing the level of work I do because of health issues so investing in and learning all new technology is not really a wise business decision for me.

WHAT??? Your just in your Salad days. I am 80 and I was able to pick up the new software with no problem at all. I built my own setup and by the time I was finished I pretty much knew just what I needed to run the machine. BTW I have no idea how I ever found time to work a job. Been retired for 23 years now and busy as hell.

[dlcw]

I've got physical health problems (military related) that have limited my ability to do heavy work, and it's getting worse. Yes, I've put in labor saving devices like ceiling hoists to manhandle plywood. But I still have to manhandle solid wood (hickory is HEAVY) thru planer, jointer and tablesaw. I am retired from the military but still need to generate income as I don't have the cushy retirement package that congress gave themselves. Once I'm no longer able to do the heavy work I'll go back to building sailing ship models. Not as much heavy lifting considering hull planking on those models weights in at a hefty .25 oz. LOL....

[Windy Ridge Chuck]

I had one of the early controls for my PRT machines and had the control go down. I looked into many options for control and ended up getting the Acorn control. Gary Campbell set up the control and I just had to plug and play for easy installation. There is a learning curve going from the Shopbot to a G-code control but within a few hours I was able to be up and running production parts. The biggest down side I have found is I had to change the codes on standard production files in my library from Shopbot to G-code which was a simple it just took some time. My almost 30 year old machine has never worked as good as it does now with the Acorn control the only ting I will have to do now is go to a spindle rather then a router so I can take advantage of the speed my Shopbot is now operating. The communications between the Acorn control and my design computer is wireless and that has been flawless.

[ron_moorehead]

Any update on a new control card for the ShopBot?