The other week we have released HSMA v2.8.1

Here is what's different:

• Install-time License Setup added
  https://hsmadvisor.com/help?article_id=5417_silent-or-automatic-installation
• Main window resize performance improvements
  Fixed occasional incorrect element re-floating.
• Cloud Status added on the Tool Library Drop-down
• Opening HSMA window outside of visible bounds fixed
• Upgraded to .NET 4.8
  Use default TLS protocol to avoid "server not reached" or "unable to establish secure connection" errors
• Added Countersink tool
• Fixed and improved the critical drilling speed calculation
• Various bug fixes and improvements

As always you can get the latest update over here: HSMAdvisor.com/download

There have been some improvements in the purchasing system that I think our users will find VERY useful.

From now on here is how you can upgrade your HSMAdvisor license:

1. Adding More Seats to Existing License (OLD)
   As before you can add more seats to an existing license.

2. Upgrade from 1 and 3 HP Licenses (NEW)
   If you're currently using a 1 HP or 3 HP license you can upgrade to either the Unlimted Floating or Unlimited Permanent license.

3. Transitioning from Cancelled or Active Subscription (NEW)
   You can now switch from a subscription-based model to any other license type.
   Your current subscription will be canceled (if it isn't canceled already) and a new license will be sent to you.

In all cases, you will only have to pay the difference between the new and the existing license.

The minimum upgrade fee is USD 10

Please read more about the upgrade process here: HSMAdvisor License Upgrades

Cheers!

Since my garage/shop has a limited workspace, I have long wanted to upgrade the big and clumsy computer I used to drive my little Prolight desktop CNC to something more elegant and convenient.

TL;DR: You can read about the printing settings and download files on Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4754968
Here is the shared Fusion Project: https://a360.co/36UhI15

After quite a bit of googling, and testing the UCCNC control software that i already have I decided to re-use my old Z83 mini-PC with Intel Atom processor.

Then I ordered a SunFounter 10.1" touchscreen monitor with a nice resolution of 1200x800 from amazon.

Since the display does not come with an enclosure I decided to design one myself.
A good opportunity to dust off my 3d modeling skills:

Check this out, guys.

Been working on this for the past couple of weeks:

New FSWizard Speeds and Feeds Calc will have not only modern improved design. But latest tools and materials.
Special attention is being paid to have it produce EXACTLY the same results as our HSMAdvisor desktop app.

It is not complete yet, but it is almost there - making it catch up to the latest HSMAdvisor code is a big job.

The new calculator will replace our online calculator as well.....

Yes, you heard that right! You will be able to run exactly the same FSWizard Speed and Feed calc on your mobile phone, desktop and even Windows Mobile.

Heck, it will even work on Mac!

Best of all, it will be published as an update to our existing apps, so our existing customers will not have to buy an upgrade, unlike what some other "Machinist Calculator" has done in the past.

I will keep you posted.

Cheers!

From this point on, all holders of valid HSMAdvisor licenses will be eligible to free Life-Time updates and upgrades to their HSMAdvisor product.
Likewise there is not going to be a big functionality jump between the version 1.99 and 2.0 like in some other software products.

This release model is called "rolling release" and it is becoming the new industry norm.
It offers smoother transition and no steep learning curve for existing users. It also helps prevent unavoidable bugs when a large amount of changes is introduced all at once.Read More 

I have made some changes to the HSMAdvisor online store.

As of now users can purchase any number of seats they want.

Be it 1,2, 5 or 50. Does not matter any more. User gets to choose the number he wants. A progressive 25% discount will be applied on purchases of multiple seats.

Which means discount will start from 25% for 2 seats and end with 37% for 50 seats.

This should help great deal for people who want some odd number of seats.

And just a remainder: the current 15% on over 90$ is still active until July 4.

Cheers!

Amid the huge amount of work that has been put lately into development of HSMAdvisor and FSWizard Speed and Feed Calculators, I have completely forgot to mention something important.

Since version 1.37 iOS (as well as Android) version of FSWizard Lite Mobile calculator can be "unlocked" and upgraded to the full PRO version for free!

For that, you need to purchase an eligible License Package from our HSMAdvisor Online Store and follow these steps to enable the PRO features on your Android or iOS device: FSWizard PRO Bundled with HSMAdvisor

Hello gentlemen,

On September the 1st HSMAdvisor will turn one year old.

At that point 75$ for life deal will stop being offered.

Prices will go up.
New payment plans will be introduced.

Considered packages are:

• Current Release Single Seat License (1 key): xxx$
• Current Release Five Seat license (5 keys): xxx$ (30% savings)
• Current Release Company-Wide License (Unlimited seats within company premises): xxx$

Program Upgrades (Upgrading from version 1.xx to version 2.0):

• Single Seat License Upgrade: xx$
• Five Seat license Upgrade: xxx$
• Company-Wide License Upgrade: xxx$

I am not exactly set on pricing right now, so i can not say just how much things will cost.
I can only promise that pricing will continue being more than reasonable and very competitive.

Until September i will release several updates, but I will no longer offer trial extensions after September the 1st.

Announced changes will only affect commercial HSMAdvisor.

Free Online FSWizard will remain free for everyone.

Where do we stand and how did we get here.

When i first started FSWizard project one year ago in December 2011. I felt the need to upgrade my knowledge and skill-set regarding speeds, feeds and best cutting conditions.

Other calculators available at that time simply did not cut it for me.

One of them did not account for such important parameters as tool length.

The other did not care about such crucial tool geometry features like helix angle, shank diameter, lead angle and so on.

As a result i have endeavoured on a mission to build the best calculator that would accurately predict cutting forces, cutter deflection and suggest best cutting modes using all available tool data for multitude of combinations of work-piece/tool materials, coatings and tool types.

It has been a year of research, building cutter and material models, applying REAL MACHINING experience.

All results were tested in REAL PRODUCTION environment.

Today thanks to FSWizard, machines i work on produce 200%-300% more parts per day than 1 year ago.

It has been one year since i have started.
And i believe i have achieved my original goal.

Today The FREE FSWizard gives far better results than many expensive solutions available on the market.

FSWizard:Standalone is the only available program that will warn you if cutter will be reaching its breaking point.

In fact we see paying users of other programs asking their developers for features that have been long implemented in FSWizard.
And we see those developers finally moving out of their comfort zone and trying to improve their program's functionality.

Where do we go from here?

What does the future hold for this project?

No one really knows.
Unlike others who can talk the speed/feed game, I am not into marketing.
I don't do a particularly good job of persuading people that my product is the best thing that happened to the CNC world.

All i have is 2 hours of free time on my hands after work and a ton or real-world machining experience not many in the software business can brag about.

All that remains to say here is

I am not using words "product" ,"consumers" and "business" just by accident.

Next release version of FSWizard:Standalone 0.015 PRO will be a commercial product.

It will be sold as a 1 year subscription.

I am not yet sure about the pricing.
But i know that i will make it subscription-based and the price will be very affordable.

This is the only way to move forward on this.

If you have any comments or thoughts, i would love to hear them out.