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You choose: F4G or MCS-30

Larry J

#9021

You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 11 October, 1999

Just curious as to everyones thoughts on if you could chose to use F4G or an MCS-30. Which would you chose and why?

Larry J

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Mike H

#9022

Re: You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 11 October, 1999

| Just curious as to everyones thoughts on if you could chose to use F4G or an MCS-30. Which would you chose and why? | | | Larry J | |Larry, depending to your Fuji machines, if you are using any new machines like QP1 or QP2 and any other ones like NP you need to have f4G, but if they are like cp2,3,4,6, 642 anfd IP series you should be fine with MCS30. Just remember one thing I do not think that MCS system is 100% Y2K.

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Mika Johnsson

#9023

Re: You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 12 October, 1999

| Just curious as to everyones thoughts on if you could chose to use F4G or an MCS-30. Which would you chose and why? | | | Larry J | |

If you need connections to other systems (CAD,MRP,Optimization) then I think MCS coul be a better choice, since F4G format includes the component library data, which makes it more difficult format to produce in other sytems.

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Bruce

#9024

Re: You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 14 October, 1999

Why not to use an MCS30:

Hardware is proprietary, OS-9 format, expensive to fix or replace, support, slow, RS-232 or ethernet hookup for CAD download, flat file format.

F4G: PC is purchased by you, WindowsNT 4.0, inexpensive to fix or replace, support for part data or program problems can be emailed (not faxed) directly to Fuji, CAD Convert for ASCII text files built right into the software, CCIMF format is used combining program and part data together. Fujicam also uses this CCIMF format. The F4G system is easy to use. Its a Microsoft Access database that can be linked to other systems. The Graphical User Editor and Visual Part Data Editor are two other good reasons to go with F4G over the MCS30. New optimizers for the CP6 series (check Fuji Newsletter).

I vote F4G.

Bruce

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#9025

Re: You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 14 October, 1999

Bruce,

F4G is definitely your choice if you start from scratch, and on your production floor you have nothing else but Fuji equipment. However, if you also have equipment from other vendors and a CAD/programming SW that handles your mixed environment (Fabmaster, Mitron/Cimbridge, etc.) you may not be able to use F4G. All these SW packages produce machine programs in "binary" format for MCS-30. They are not able to produce programs in CCIMF format. Which means you have to make the choice: --> switch ALL your CAD/programming activity to F4G (throw away your current SW) --> buy a MCS-30, which you will use only to transmit programs to machines.

Or does anybody know about a third-party SW that produces Fuji programs in CCIMF format? Or a converter?

Thanks,

Stefano

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Bruce

#9026

Re: You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 18 October, 1999

Cimbridge cannot produce a CCIMF format file, this is true. However, they can produce an ASCII text file for the MCS30 which in turn can be read into the F4G system. I also have other vendors for machines and do not see this as an issue. If were going to talk about "The Complete Package" why don't we talk about "Fujicam"? Thats right, the question was F4G vs. MCS30. Lets use a different thread for that discussion shall we?

Larry, I think Stefano is right. Lets spend all of your money on an OS-9 system that cannot be used for anything else other than using Fuji's equipment, or as Stefano points out "--> buy a MCS-30, which you will use only to transmit programs to machines." If your really looking for the right software, contact Fuji about their latest software labeled FujiCam (Unicam). I don't think you can buy F4G software anyway. I guess it all depends on where you stand on the support issue. MCS30's are fading, new machines output from Fuji will not be supported with the MCS. You know what you have to do? Call Fuji and see whats right for your production environment/cost. Good luck.

Bruce

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#9027

Re: You choose: F4G or MCS-30 | 18 October, 1999

I was wondering why you did not include FujiCam on your list of options. We are moving from MCS to FujiCam (with a few slips along the way).

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