Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: ROTex on November 25, 2025, 03:34:22 PM

Title: Mach 3 Upgrade
Post by: ROTex on November 25, 2025, 03:34:22 PM

I have an ancient system running Mach 3 on a Windows 7 pc through parallel ports to a motion control card driving servos.  I want to change the hardware to a USB interface motion controller card.  I'll get a new laptop and run Mach 3.  What are the recommendations for a motion controller card and BOB?

Title: Re: Mach 3 Upgrade
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 26, 2025, 03:33:50 AM

Perhaps the easiest (and cheapest) solution would be to use a CncDrive UC100.

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Mach 3 Upgrade
Post by: arturod on November 27, 2025, 05:42:57 AM

The UC400ETH (https://www.cnc4pc.com/shop/uc400eth-uc400eth-ethernet-motion-controller-883) is just a little more, and it is Ethernet. So much more reliable:
- Not sharing the grounds between the PC and CNC.
- Client-Server connection instead of running as a device on Windows.
- No significant cost difference.

Or even better, go with the Ethernet Smooth Stepper (https://www.cnc4pc.com/shop/ess-ethernet-smooth-stepper-board-259), which is fully compatible with Mach4 so that you can upgrade when you need to.

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com