2011
General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.
« on: September 26, 2019, 07:36:51 PM »
Hi,
Mach4 is highly appropriate for what amounts to a new build.
At this time there are only two Mach4 ready motion controllers that support realtime THC, the Hicon (Vital Systems at approx $1000 with required activations) and the
Ethernet SmoothStepper (Warp9 at approx $180 PLUS the T3CM controller which I understand is several hundred USD).
Mach4 also has a script based THC facility, new several months ago. That means that any controller can do THC but the response is a order of magnitude (or more) slower
than the realtime controllers. NFS are clearly of the opinion that the script solution is sufficiently responsive for most users, if however your demands for THC response
are high (thin gauge metals which distort/warp rapidly for instance) then realtime THC is a must.
I would commend you look at the Ethernet SmoothStepper closely as it has the most comprehensive range of realtime supports.....backlash comp, lathe threading, encoder/index
spindle PID, laser vectoring/rastering, realtime THC, plus all the usual home/limits/probing/squaring supports that you would expect of any controller.
Craig
Quote
I am pretty sure that I am going to get Mach 4 and want to make sure I am looking at the proper controllers. I have been looking at the PoKeys57CNC for my controller but have read a few things that I am not so sure about the support and reliability on
Mach4 is highly appropriate for what amounts to a new build.
At this time there are only two Mach4 ready motion controllers that support realtime THC, the Hicon (Vital Systems at approx $1000 with required activations) and the
Ethernet SmoothStepper (Warp9 at approx $180 PLUS the T3CM controller which I understand is several hundred USD).
Mach4 also has a script based THC facility, new several months ago. That means that any controller can do THC but the response is a order of magnitude (or more) slower
than the realtime controllers. NFS are clearly of the opinion that the script solution is sufficiently responsive for most users, if however your demands for THC response
are high (thin gauge metals which distort/warp rapidly for instance) then realtime THC is a must.
I would commend you look at the Ethernet SmoothStepper closely as it has the most comprehensive range of realtime supports.....backlash comp, lathe threading, encoder/index
spindle PID, laser vectoring/rastering, realtime THC, plus all the usual home/limits/probing/squaring supports that you would expect of any controller.
Craig