Plugins

Plugins are expansion modules written for Mach3. The Plugins on this page are the work of their respective authors, and not necessarily written (or supported) by ArtSoft USA.

Barcode Scanner

Author:

Brian Barker

Version:

1.2

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Loads a program via Barcode ID

CandCNC DTHC (Digital Torch Height Control)

CNC DTHC
Download:

ccc_comm.zip

Author:

M. McKnight/T.Caudle

Version:

1.2

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

CandCNCSupport Yahoo Forum

Website:

www.CandCNC.com/

Special Features:

Plug-in support for DTHC Expansion Module. (Upgrade for UBOB cards)

3rd Generation design with advanced features allows precise control of the plasma cutting process.

Embedded high speed processor and A/D gives quick response for accurate Torch Height tracking and advanced communications to MACH3

On-screen Popup with CUT PROFILES. User adds and edits. Store EVERY cut parameter for all types of metal and tips.

Control ALL of the DTHC functions on the Mach3 screens.

New “TIP SAVER” mode locks head moves that would cause the head to dive when crossing a void or at the end of a cut.

Adjustable Fault values and fault actions (Torch OFF on Fault, etc)

New Auto THC ON feature.

Works with MACH versions 3.042.020 and up.

Does NOT need an added parallel port.

CandCNC MPG101B 28 Function Hand Controller

CNC MPG101B
Download:

ccc_pendant.zip

Author:

M. McKnight

Version:

2.1

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

CandCNCSupport Yahoo Forum

Website:

www.CandCNC.com/

Special Features:

Proportional 2 axis 360 deg Jogstick

Not a keyboard emulator

3 jog modes: Fast, Slow, Single Step

User configuration for button functions (8 buttons) allows access to dozens of MACH internal commands

Buttons for Jog Types and Run, FeedHold, & Stop

Buttons for Feedrate Override and Outputs On/Off

Automatic SETUP and RUN keyboard shift

Button push on jogstick switches jogstick control from XY to ZA

One-finger control (no rotary switches or knobs to twist)

CandCNC Universal Breakout Board (UBOB)

CNC UBOB
Download:

ccc_ubob.zip

Author:

M. McKnight/T.Caudle

Version:

2.10

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

CandCNCSupport Yahoo Forum

Website:

www.CandCNC.com/UBOB.htm

Special Features:

Supports UBOB hardware with TDM port expansion

9 Fully Isolated inputs for Homes, Limits, Probes and Expansion card signals

8 High Speed S & D outputs. 4 independent Axis. Hardware slaving for 5th axis.

6 High current (double buffered) outputs for relays

2 Internal Outputs for DTHC and Spindle Speed Expansion Modules

Digitizing / Probing

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

2.00.035

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

 

Website:

IMService

Special Features:

Allows for probing of 3d objects to point cloud files

Requires CAM program to process point clouds

DSPMC/IP Motion Controller

Author:

Vital Systems Inc

Version:

Check Vendor Website

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

DSPMC/IP Forum

Website:

Vital Systems Inc.

Special Features:

6 Axis Servo Control (±10V, 8 Channels).

6 Hardware Differential Encoder Inputs, 4 MHz Max freq.

Encoder Resolution Magnify by 4 in Hardware

3 Soft Encoder Inputs (eg. MPG input).

MPG Control using Electronic Gearing for quick response.

Probing.

Lathe Threading.

Backlash compensation.

Homing Using Home Sensor and/or optional Index Pulse.

Rotary Axis Homing with Index pulse.

Use One Home Sensor Input for all axis, or separate Home Sensors for each axis.

Option to use Limit switches as homing sensors.

Feedrate Override above 100%.

FeedHold uses ramping up/down to start and stop the machine.

Slave Axis Support.

5KHz PID Servo Loop for each axis.

PID Tuning Graph.

0-10v Spindle control.

Fast 10/100 MB Ethernet Communication with PC.

High Speed 3D machining support.

Digital 32 Inputs, 16 Outputs.

dspMacro - Basic Macros for fast I/O logic programming.

DynoMotion

Author:

Tom Kerekes/Werner Schrall

Version:

4.xx

Status:

Beta

Feedback:

info@dynomotion.com

Website:

DynoMotion

Special Features:

KFLOP1.2 GFLOP Motion Controller

High step rates (8 Step/Dir outputs 2.5MHz)

Kanalog option supports Analog Drives

8 Axis Closed Loop Servo Controller. 11 KHz Update

8 Channels Servo Drive Analog Outputs, Range ±10V

8 Channels Analog Inputs, Range ±10V

8 Relay Drivers/8 Opto Outputs/8 Opto Inputs

Engraving Trigger for Laser or Impact

Engraving Trigger Screen
Download:

Engraving Trigger Plugin

Engraving Trigger Source - Source code for the Engraving Trigger plugin. Feel free to download and modify as needed to fit your application.

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

2.00.076

Status:

R & D

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Imports Photo and outputs DigTrigger at variable number of 5us pulses to trigger laser to grayscale output of image during X motor output

Flash

Adobe Flash
Download:

Flash Plugin

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

2.00.038

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

Flash Screens Forum

Website:

Adobe Flash

Special Features:

Allows use of Flash screensets

G100

G100 by GeckoDrives
Download:

G100 Setup Guide

Motion Plugin - v3.037  (March 5, 2008)

I/O Only Plugin - This plugin does not move motors, it allows a G100 to be used in conjunction with the printer port or some other motion device.  The G100 is available as Port 3 Inputs/Outputs and analog IO Only.

The G100 is old hardware, and these plugins are provided "as-is" with *NO* support.  These plugins may not fully function with versions of Mach3 released after the plugin release date.

Author:

Art Fenerty / Steve Hardy

Version:

2.03.000

Status:

BETA

Feedback:

G-Rex Forum

Website:

Gecko Drive

Special Features:

4Mhz pulseing engine

16 Outputs/ 22 Inputs

4 analogue ins/outs

Ethernet connection

Analog spindle only - No step/dir

The G100 requires no license, and is no longer supported.

Galil DMC Series

Author:

Brian Barker / Steve Murphree / Kenny Crouch

Version:

4.4

Status:

Release

Feedback:

Mach3 + Galil Forum

Website:

Galil Motion Control

Special Features:

3Mhz pulsing engine/ closed loop

4ms Trajectory planning

Ethernet or PCI models supported

iMach Screen Plugin

Author:

VistaCNC

Version:

1.00

Status:

BETA

Feedback:

email: support at vistacnc dot com

Website:

VistaCNC

Special Features:

iMach pendant operation

iMach Screen

JCode

JCode example
Download:

JCode Plugin

Author:

Brian Barker

Version:

1.0

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Jog to GCode recording

Joystick

Joystick
Download:

Joystick Plugin

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

2.00.035

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Works with any Microsoft compatible Windows JoyStick

dual axis control

Buttons mapped with joystick software to Mach3 buttons on screen

Joystick (Updated)

Author:

Queiroz Junior

Version:

1.04

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

New Joystick Plugin Thread

Website:

 

Special Features:

Compatible with Mach3 R2.009+

Mach MAD (Maintenance and Diagnostics)

Mach MAD
Download:

Cost is $10.00/Mach3 installation. Payments can be sent via PayPal to PoppaBear (at) hughes.net. Please be sure to include your name or company when registering.  The installer will be sent via email, so please include an alternate address if you want it sent somewhere other than the address payment was received from.

Author:

Scott “Poppa Bear” Shafer

Version:

3.8

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

Mach MAD Forum thread

Website:

S S Systems, LLC

Special Features:

Real Time Monitor and Diagnostic tool, targeted at the OEM manufacturer, retrofitter, service, Mach3 screen designer, or Mach3 Customizer.

12 screens allow you to look at, change, or press any OEM button, OEM/User LED, OEM/User DRO, Serial Modbus Local Variable, or TCP Modbus Local Variable and Read all the Smart Labels, Read/Set all the User Labels and Tickers. (Note: you cannot change Mach OEM Read-only DROs/LEDs)

All 12 screens can be resized and minimized, allowing for interaction with your Mach screen while watching the results on the Mach MAD screen (and vice versa).

Choices are easily selectable from drop down menus.

A “Quick Pick” page has listings for Buttons, DROs, LEDs, and it has an “MDI” line for sending code to Mach3.

Other pages are dedicated to specific Objects: Buttons, DROs, LEDs, Serial MB, TCP MB, Labels/Tickers.

Trigger Macro Page: This can trigger up to 15 Macros from a User LED, the Macro will run ONCE per change of state from off to on.

Trigger User Labels Page: This can trigger up to 6 User labels from a User LED, you can put a message for LED On, and one for LED Off.

Trigger Ticker Page: This can trigger up to 6 Ticker labels from a User LED, you can put a message for LED On, and one for LED Off.

VB Command Page allos you to send standard VB commands to Mach3.

Message DROs: Display the status and/or error codes from high-end programmable drives.  Works for all 6 axes as well as the spindle. The codes are read over Modbus and can have user messages that translate that code to "English", which are displayed on 1-7 tickers, for advanced drive status/diagnostics.

A User LED can be set to show the Mach MAD dialog from Mach’s screen.

Flash driven “Help/Setup guide”.

ncPod

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

3.00.00

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

ncPod Forum

Website:

OEMTech

Special Features:

USB pulseing engine, 75Khz

6 inputs, 4 outputs

PWM spindle control

Slaving, softlimits

PoKeys Plugin

Author:

Scott Shafer

Version:

7.6

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

PoKeys Forum

Website:

Po.Labs

Special Features:

Ability to use up to 4 PoKeys simultaneously.

55 Digital I/O's (Input or Output for any pin may be set individually).  User can choose to map I/O to Port 10 Mach functions, map them to/from User LED’s, or both.

2 Ranges for mapping Inputs to User LEDs.

2 Ranges for mapping User LEDs to Outputs.

4 Analogue Inputs (3 Inputs if an Analogue Output tied to spindle speed is chosen).

7 32-bit Encoders with user mapping to Mach specific encoders/MPGs.

Optional PWM Output (tied to Spindle control)vfor spindle control boards.

LCD display ranging from 1x8 to 4x20 characters which can be used to show DROs or any other data.

2 additional/option PWM Outputs: 1 for controlling LCD LED backlight brightness, 1 for controlling LCD text contrast.

Can also be used as a Keystroke emulator and run “Key Macros” for Mach3 or any other application.

Preconfigured Pendant controls for the pendants sold from CNC4PC and PoScope.

Installer includes: XML profile (”PoKeys.xml”), screenset with diagnostic/testing page for the PoKeys (“PoKeys.set”), Flash Driven Help file, and “PoKeys.dll”. (Note: you will need at least 2.0.7 PoKeys firmware update).

Custom OEM PoKeys Plugins are available for a fee.

PowerMate

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

2.00.046

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

 

Website:

Griffin Technology

Special Features:

Jogs any axis at Jog% speed setting.  Press button to switch axis, press for 1/s second to enable/disable.

ShuttlePRO

Author:

Art Fenerty / Scott Shafer

Version:

2.60.00

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

ShuttlePRO Thread

Website:

Contour Design, Inc.

Special Features:

Pendent Control / jog device

15 buttons

2 jog wheels

Pro & Xpress models supported

SmoothStepper

Author:

Art Fenerty / Greg Cary

Version:

1.19.xxx

Status:

BETA

Feedback:

SmoothStepper USB Forum

Website:

Warp9 Tech. Design

Special Features:

4Mhz pulseing engine

Dual Printer Port

TC-Emulator Board

Author:

Queiroz Junior

Version:

 

Status:

Full Release

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

32 Optically Isolated Inputs

Torch Height Control

Download:

THC Plugin

Author:

Brian Barker

Version:

1.0A

Status:

Experimental - Unsupported

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Uses any analog input to do torch height control

Video WebCam Point Cloud Scanner

Author:

Art Fenerty

Version:

2.00

Status:

R & D

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Scans table with WebCam and Laser Line to create point clouds

Meshing program in development

Xbox 360 Controller

Author:

Lee Davis

Version:

2.3.3

Status:

Release - Limited Support

Feedback:

 

Website:

 

Special Features:

Run your mill with an Xbox 360 Controller

Requires XINPUT1_3.DLL to function (can be downloaded from Microsoft as part of a DirectX redistributables package)

If not connected to the internet, requires XBox360_32Eng.exe driver file