I saw the topic about returning the sent position (so follow where the laser is supposed to be while cutting or engraving) onto the screen, so one does not have to open his laser to really see where the laser is .
The answer was “you need to look to the laser, and not leave it alone”…
A part from this answer being really stupid. (there is a ‘camera’ option, so you are supposed to remotely see the movements), I see no reason why the software can not follow virtually, like all 3D printer software, Mach , laser GRBL, others, do.
I like the program, but I am not going to buy it since this option is missing.
The laser is in the workshop, and I am not going to stand next to it, in the smoke, while opening the cover…
Wit a remote desktop pc I can see the gcode commands, please give a good reason why I should buy this software while it is missing an essential option. (Some other guy answered, that is is very difficult to get the right position back from the laser… which you don’t need, commands are sent, the laser moves, as should a red dot on the screen…)
I’m not following the thought process. How would this capability allow you to not observe the laser? Or conversely, how does the lack of this feature prevent you from neglecting the machine? It’s not clear to me what this feature would provide that connects the two.
To me it’s the camera ability that would potentially allow for remote observation and that’s already there. Progress monitoring is available with the scrollbar. While a realtime head tracker could be interesting I don’t see how it’s essential to what you’re talking about.
One thing I will say is I think you’re underestimating the potential danger of lasers. You don’t directly compare them to 3D printers but seem to put them in the same category. 3D printers are not actively trying to kill you. Lasers will. Fires are virtually inevitable. Other than the risk of thermal runaway 3D printers tend to fail safe. This is why all modern printers are equipped with thermal runaway detection. Lasers can often fail unsafe.
Lasers can fire when unanticipated. Plenty of lasers will continue to fire when connections are lost. Lasers can get stuck and a realtime progress tracker will happily move as if the machine is working fine. Basically all common commercial grade machines are open loop stepper systems. They do not report back position. There could potentially be no way to know if a system has stopped motion from a progress tracker.
In any case, you do you but don’t be unaware of the risk.