Recent Posts

21

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 on 2 computers working together

« Last post by Cbyrdtopper on October 30, 2025, 10:51:16 AM »

Can you not just get a controller that has 8 motors?  The HiCON Integra has the ability to use 8 motors and their EC01 ethercat has the ability to use 12 motors.
Then use a PLC to communicate over TCP modbus to handle all of your IO.  That would be a very robust system.

22

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 on 2 computers working together

« Last post by Steve Stallings on October 30, 2025, 10:02:45 AM »

The original big old Hardinge Superslant lathe used basically this trick to run two turrets, one for side cutting and one for end working the stock. It had two Fanuc controls on board.

23

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 on 2 computers working together

« Last post by Steve Stallings on October 30, 2025, 09:59:52 AM »

If the second system only needs one trigger input and runs only one sequence of operations, it should be easy to have a program on the second system just pause and wait for a trigger to continue, then loop and wait for the trigger again. Perhaps you could even have the second system look at extra inputs and conditionally run sections of code that are associated with the data read from the extra inputs.

24

HiCON Motion Controller / new conversion from mach 3 to mach4 feed rate bouncing

« Last post by fozzyber on October 29, 2025, 07:41:19 PM »

Hello all, I just converted from m3 to m4 with a new hicon 7866 controller.
I'm running steppers , with no feed back to the hicon,
when I'm running my feed rate display keeps changing...?
if  I  command a G01 Y60 F125 the feed rate display will bounce between something
like 124.53 to a 125.8  this seems strange to me,  why would it be changing?  also the movement is jerky I can feel it is not smooth.
Can any one explain this to me?
this evens happens even  if I use  a G61 .

Thank you
Jerry

25

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 on 2 computers working together

« Last post by Bill_O on October 29, 2025, 05:25:35 PM »

Strange question but has anyone put Mach4 on 2 different computers and had an output from one trigger an input on the second so it will do an operation?
I am needing to make a machine that has 8 motors and a bunch of inputs and outputs and was thinking this might be the easiest way.
i know i could use a PLC but think this might be easier and more flexible.

Bill

26

CS-Lab / Help needed please.

« Last post by Pugman1 on October 29, 2025, 04:48:41 PM »

I just purchased a milling machine that was in parts. The controller is the CS-LABS CSMIO/IP-S along with the expansion unit for the hand remote. However what I don’t understand is the need to the Geckodrive G540 unit. From the little I have read all the G540 controls is the E-stop. There is also a bit about having to download firmware for the g540 to function. Do I just download this the same as the firmware for the CSMIO/IP-S and or do I place the G540 firmware in the mach3 folder like you would the license.

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help required on Converting a RichAuto A51 controlled 3 axis router to Mach3

« Last post by arturod on October 29, 2025, 06:45:24 AM »

Yes, it is just a matter of replacing the motion controller.  All the components remain the same. 

Note that you will have to change the configuration in the VFD to take the variable speed, as the richauto does not handle variable speed, but just a set of fixed speeds.

If you need a hand with this, you can open a ticket in our website and we will help you: https://www.cnc4pc.com/contact

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help required on Converting a RichAuto A51 controlled 3 axis router to Mach3

« Last post by firewoodcheery on October 29, 2025, 04:27:58 AM »

Check out this wiring diagram for upgrading a Richauto to an Ethernet Smooth Stepper with a C25XP:https://www.cnc4pc.com/blog/post-4/upgrade-richauto-to-a-c25xp-66

Thanks, Arturo. That’s really helpful.
Quick question — can I reuse the existing stepper drivers with the ESS/C25XP setup, or do they need replacing?

29

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 default min spindle speed change?

« Last post by Steve Stallings on October 28, 2025, 11:45:53 PM »

The screen that you are referencing was supplied by AVID CNC's Plug and Play Setup system and is not part of the basic Mach4 software. You should address this issue with AVID CNC.

30

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 default min spindle speed change?

« Last post by jamescnc on October 28, 2025, 07:22:02 PM »

finally found where the issue is. in mach4 this is a default minimum speed and wont let you change it normally. here is a picture of that page. how would I modify this setting? seems like it shouldn't be this hard?