From the perspective of the industry I know best (CNC controllers, mostly Fanuc), this is normal. When ordering a controller I selected from hundreds of options, from basics (# of axes, types of acceleration profiles, # of meters of tape storage, etc) to the more advanced (5-axis interpolation, nano-interpolation, etc.); from these options a specific hardware configuration is determined (# of processors, memory, etc). Some of these options cost multiple thousands of $… on a complex machine the options could cost 5x or more than the basic controller.
The controller that I received would be per my configuration. But it had all software functions installed, just disabled. If I needed to add a software function, I’d just order it for that specific machine. As long as the hardware supported the new function, it was a simple matter of flipping the correct bit(s) in the controller.
Over the years this “flipping the correct bits” went from something I could do, to a very secretive method done only by a Fanuc tech visiting the machine to type in secret codes while covering the keypad so as not to reveal the codes. One tech even insisted I step behind the controller so I couldn’t see the keypad! I believe the current methods tie the option to the specific controller serial#.
Indeed. Not that a Benz is likely in my future, but I drive like a little old man so wouldn’t need this option.
