Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: cam4ge on February 17, 2013, 02:36:08 PM

Title: mach 3 help/ machine build?
Post by: cam4ge on February 17, 2013, 02:36:08 PM

I have a series 1 bridgeport cnc . I run bobcad on a windows 8 system and am ready to put it all together. only problem i have found though is i am set up w/ a parallel port and according to what i have read a parralel port with mach3 will not work w/ a 64 bit system i will need an external drive. what exactly does that mean, how have some of you figured out to do this and howwould you recommend. i am not exactly sure what they mean by external drive system. Thanks for your help.

                                                                                            Andy
                                                                                                Weatherford, Texas

Title: Re: mach 3 help/ machine build?
Post by: Chaoticone on February 17, 2013, 11:01:26 PM

Welcome to the forum Andy, you will need an external motion device if you plan on running a 64 bit system.  Galil, Smooth Stepper, CSMIO, DSPMC and more to choose from I'm sure.  Have a look at the downloads tab, then the plugins page for links.

Brett 

Title: Re: mach 3 help/ machine build?
Post by: cam4ge on February 19, 2013, 12:13:47 AM

So Brett, i need smoothstepper and cables, what else do i need that i have not thought about to run this on windows 8, just thought i would pick your brain before i pull the trigger- Thanks so much for your help-Andy

Title: Re: mach 3 help/ machine build?
Post by: Chaoticone on February 19, 2013, 12:57:05 AM

Andy, I would do some more checking before I pulled the trigger.  I have not tried it with 8 personally, windows 8 is so new.  But, to answer your question, the Smooth Stepper will give you more IO than 2 Parallell ports would so if the machine is running on PPs, a Smooth Stepper should be all you need.

Brett

Title: Re: mach 3 help/ machine build?
Post by: cam4ge on February 19, 2013, 09:19:18 AM

thanks so much Brett

Title: Re: mach 3 help/ machine build?
Post by: Picengraver on February 19, 2013, 03:58:04 PM

Andy,
You may also want to get a breakout board designed to plugin to the SS.  CNC4PC is a good one to look at.  There may be others, but I like my C25 from CNC4PC.com.

Regards,
John Champlain.